I Tried Writing Like...John Green & Hank Green (the vlogbrothers)!

[@KateCavanaugh]

I'm streaming writing/Preptober stuff over on Twitch if y'all want to join me! :) twitch.tv/cavanaughwrites Every Monday & Friday at 10:00am CST.

[@AmrutaRanade]

Yay! (Also, I found Twitch Studio much more beginner-friendly than OBS)

[@KateCavanaugh]

HI AMRUTA! :) And okay, I couldn't get Twitch Studio to work for me for some reason. :(

[@AmrutaRanade]

@@KateCavanaugh Oh, that's annoying :( But your stream was awesome! Great job with OBS!!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Thank you!! I might try again with Studio in the future. :)

[@deichuu]

I've been waiting for this day! I'm on twitch 24/7 and I love it! Little request, pls up the resolution of your stream, 500px is sadly unwatchable, especially if we're trying to follow text on screen 🙈 minimum I'd recommend would be 720px for non partners.

[@MickeyJay27]

Kate being a Nerdfighter is somehow the least surprising surprise of my life

[@afriicat1431]

Maybe I'll do a trying to write like Kate Cavanaugh for one day 😂 👌

[@mcaskey358]

I once had someone say, "It's not about achieving success, it's about collecting as many rejection letters as is humanly possible." I always think of that. I write because I love telling stories, if I happen to get those stories published that's just frosting.

[@cutiepie120048]

That's very nice.

[@EDDIELANE]

I love the part when Kate is like, ‘they have employees!” while behind her she has a band of “assistants” who follower her wherever she goes. But also> I totally agree about Jennifer Anniston, and now? all i see is her aveeno commercials, no matter waht role she’s in.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Bahahaah, you're totally right, they're my little co-writers! AND OKAY SAME. THANK YOU.

[@autumnfries7322]

At least you'll never be alone in the office aka the former moon room. The pups are attached to you.

[@TheNerdyBookNerd]

When you were talking about how maybe one day people will be able to tell they're reading your work without knowing that it's written by you, it got me thinking: Do you think your writing style is different between different pen names/genres? Do you think someone could pick up a murder mystery of yours and guess it's written by you even if they've just read romances you've written? 🙂

[@KateCavanaugh]

I DO think my writing style is different between genres! (Or at least, I work really hard to make it different.) Especially depending on scope (like bigger fantasy vs. cute romcom) and also differentiating between third and first person. My crutch words are mostly the same though. Looking at you "just" and "back" bahaha.

[@SkeletonQueen3268]

The Vlog Brothers are so ridiculously inspiring. Multiple youtube platforms, books, podcasts, a variety of followers and fans...they're so prolific and I just want to be that.

[@billyalarie929]

kate. KATE. "all-star" is OLD. "all-star" is NOT A CLASSIC. THERE. IS. A. DIFFERENCE.

[@SNKRSNKRS]

Hey, Kate! For a future video can you do an I tried writing like Ally Carter video! She has a book all about her writing process and I think it would be fun to watch and fun to do. Anyways I loved this video!

[@KateCavanaugh]

I LOVE ALLY. SO YES.

[@chrissys5494]

TheFrench5 OMG YAY I actually read her writing process book this summer and have read all her books but one🙈I’m so excited for the future video!

[@writative8285]

"I'm barely able to take care of myself." This is the one sentence pitch for my life. I'm definitely gonna check out the Twitches if I don't have to work those times! Add to my task list = Learn Twitch Who are some writing or internet people whose careers you'd like to emulate? * I'd like to do a Brandon Sanderson, a Douglas Adams, a Terry Pratchett, a Neil Gaiman, a Margaret Weiss, a Mercedes Lackey, a CJ Cherryh, a Terry Goodkind, an Alan Dean Foster, a Jim Butcher, a Tom Holt, a Jasper Fforde, a Piers Anthony, a Grant Naylor, a Robert Rankin, and maybe a Robert Aspirin Do you think too much success can be dangerous? *I think there are struggles that come with success, but I don't think "dangerous" would be what I'd call it. But most things in life are give and take like that. Like relationships Have a good relationship? You get love and support and another leg to stand on when your own are giving out. You also have to compromise on the decor, and eating and vacation choices, and sometimes, peace. Are you single? You get to eat what you want, do what you want, when you want. But also if you fail, there's nobody to catch you, and it's lonely, and it's scary and hard when you have a bad health problem and you have nobody to help take care of you or check and make sure you didn't expire in the night. It's a trade-off, but I'm certain that 99.9% of the successful people wouldn't want to go back to what it was like before their success. Do you have a favorite John Green or Hank Green book? *I'm sorry, we're out of time. Tune in again next week for more.

[@Lisa_Flowers]

I don't know if I agree with your comparison. The key being that with a comparison like a healthy romantic relationship, you're ideally describing the normal concessions of an otherwise healthy situation. I don't think celebrity culture (where we pedestalize and obsess over the creators of works of art as opposed to just consuming the art in a critical and level headed manner and treating the creators like people) and it's effects on both the celebrities and their fans is healthy or natural, it's almost entirely constructed and often does more harm than good. Being single or in a relationship both have the potential to be very happy and fulfilling (and also not) with understandable concessions whereas, at least in my opinion, the current model of celebrity culture just isn't healthy, even if you make the most out of it. Also, you can 100% have someone to catch you when you fall or support you through medical issues, or just perform the tasks you listed if you are single. In a lot of cultures family or friends, roomates take up that role. In super individualised western cultures like America, that's less the case, but like a good group of friends, family or community can 100% do that. The idea that someone is completely alone or unsupported when they're single is often untrue or at the very least doesn't have to be a given.

[@writative8285]

@@Lisa_Flowers Okay, perhaps I didn't explain it clearly. I meant that for most situations, you could look at the good or bad side of things, so that while there are cons to success, there are also pros. I wasn't actually trying to put down anyone, single or in a relationship, just trying to explain the "grass is always greener" phenomenon in a relatable way. Hope that clears it up friend!

[@A_Bookish_Obsession]

I'm gonna try to do my first I tried writing like _____ video. I'm thinking of trying to write like Brandon Sanderson for a week... we'll see. XD

[@iiiiitsmagreta1240]

Ooh! Best of luck with that The Cad!

[@BethIsWriting]

Hahaha Buffy looking up at the bookshelf like she’s trying to decide which book to read.

[@livtupi]

I love them so much they're sooo funny omg i cant with them

[@AuthorZaraHoffman]

Kate: *about to start working* Squirrel! Me: 😂 Zelda sleeping next to the bike was 😍🐶

[@KateCavanaugh]

I definitely felt like the real-life version of Doug from Up.

[@AuthorZaraHoffman]

Kate Cavanaugh I couldn’t remember his name! My mind was like, “it’s not Duke but it’s another D name.”

[@readilykatie8312]

OPTIMAL PUFF LEVELS WE STAN

[@s.n.rabble8324]

Hi Kate. You might really enjoy "We regret to inform you: the rejection podcast" it's on Spotify and features many different types of artists, including writers, and all the rejection & obstacles they encountered before making it to superstardom.

[@KateCavanaugh]

OOOOH I'll have to check that out, thank you so much!!

[@senseweaver01]

Is it just me, or does 'Vlogbrothers' just look totally incomprehensible?

[@KateCavanaugh]

Bahaha on my thumbnail or as a word in general?

[@senseweaver01]

@@KateCavanaugh As a word in general. My mind just can't... work it out... ahhhh...

[@emilycaballero6052]

Good ol’ 2007 internet usernames...

[@Julia.diesesfelderforderlich]

I'm looking forward to the kate cavanaugh version of nerdfighteria. Maybe I'll not be so crazy shy by that time and even able to participate. (Maybe? At least now and then? Oh well.)

[@teedee4360]

Yay!!! Another I Tried Writing Like video!!!! Super Excited!!!

[@NatalieLocke]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha. The dog nails on the floor as you move from room to room. Soundtrack of working from home with pets. Kudos to those that have cats that follow them instead of stare them down.

[@nijinoshita3301]

I always feel bad when my cat follows me around and I am just running downstairs to get one thing and run up again like 20 seconds later... you don't have to follow me around for that Pearly D: I am sorry

[@brittaniepicard8209]

I love Daniel Handler and would love to see you try writing like him.

[@trinitylarsen1647]

How do I join your discord?

[@hpfchamber]

I haven't read Hank's books yet but have read all of John's. My favorite is Will Grayson, Will Grayson or An Abundance of Katherines.

[@Rec426]

This made me have a creative boost for my writing. I can always rely on your videos to give me the motivation that I need :)

[@kekayoewa]

Crash Course straight up got me through AP exams both junior and senior years.

[@AuthorJCCarpenter]

I love this video and did not know about their podcasts so I must go add them to my list of podcast. Thank you so much for doing these I tried writing likes because it gives me such a broader perspective on the different routines other writers have and gives me new aspects to try out because I feel like I can never quite find the right routine that will work. For me, I love Tyler Perry, if I could ever get the chance to meet him one day I would lose it lol. By the way I am so anticipating when Meridian Maps comes out, I can't wait! Take care Kate ❤❤ and hello puppies 😍

[@myownbravado]

I loved this video! I’ve been reading John’s books/ watching the vlog brothers since I was 15, so it’s been like seven years now. In the YA Literature class I took last semester, my professor (mid forties, male) opened with Looking for Alaska and said it was probably his favorite book ever. It’s so cool how widespread of an audience the brothers have. My favorite is probably Looking for Alaska too, but I really enjoyed Turtles all the Way Down!

[@TaylorGessler]

Do “I Tried writing like Roald Dahl” 😍

[@climbinguphill]

John and Hank Green are wonderful people and I admire all that they have done for others. I loved An Absolutely Remarkable Thing and I am excited to read the sequel! John Green’s books changed my life as a teen. I loved that it never felt like he was talking down to me or pandering to teenagers. His writings always made me feel seen and respected. Also his podcast the Anthropocene Reviewed is AMAZING.

[@authorgreene]

Oh, BTW, I used to livestream on Twitch while I wrote several days a week. It' how I got the final chapters of my last novel finished. Good luck, and though I haven't streamed in a while, maybe I'll see you there! 😄

[@AngelaHesterBooks]

Have you tried using a mouse? I think it might help save you some time, especially when you're editing. I started using one in the last year and now I am hooked. No pressure! Love your videos, Kate. :)

[@authorgreene]

I discovered the vlogbrothers as the vlogbrothers in only the last year, though I had met both separately on a science channel and a show on history. Creative, nerdy guys! My wife has read a couple of his John Green's book. His writing routine is not too terribly different than mine. Yet he's got me beat when it comes to his prolific output of cool content. 😆

[@RKStumblingbear]

I like the idea of writing during one time of the day and other tasks (admin, creative) at a different time. I know my best writing time is in the morning, but I admin tasks are better for me in the afternoon. But that is how my brain works.

[@hanatelige]

I'd really love to follow the example of Rick Riordan because he started with a series that had a well-executed but fairly average (ie cishet and mostly not POC) trio of protagonists and then started canonically including more representation across the spectrum of orientation, race, etc. Kind of like the exact opposite of she who shall not be named? And I'm a little ashamed that the person I want to emulate is a white man, but also like... he's such an ally??

[@KateCavanaugh]

We love Uncle Rick! There's a good point to be made about how, depending on what level of "success" you want to achieve, there will historically be a ton more white people in that category because of years of oppression and racism against POC. That's definitely changing (thought not quickly enough). I'd love to emulate the careers of NK Jemisin and Jason Reynolds, too!

[@LeightonReacts]

I'm excited that you're looking into streaming on Twitch! My friends and I have a joint gaming channel on there that we just started (RadiumCityGamers), so if you need any help setting up your channel we'd be happy to help. Though I'll admit, my friend Gabby knows more about it than I do, lol! Also, if you ever want to collab on there, we'd love to do that, as well!

[@IxiaRayne]

Yeah I used to have a person I looked up to ... but that person just turned out to be someone I no longer feel okay with supporting. So ... no. I don’t really have someone who‘s career I try to emulate. Instead I just try to be me, work hard and hope I‘l‘ll be happy wherever my career takes me. :)

[@ducknoisesintensify8007]

Who? I am under informed about authors

[@IxiaRayne]

@@ducknoisesintensify8007 JKR. Not that her career could be replicated. Time and publishing changed vastly over the time and - I should have led with that one - I don't want to have fame as big as she has. I just loved her story. She used to be an unemployed single mother of a child, dreaming of becoming an author. And she believed in her characters so much, that she never gave up. I still admire that. Now I just can't stand her anymore. So I don't buy her books or merchandise.

[@hannahreeves6300]

No! Don’t leave KZbin for twitch!!! I like when creators keep on the Sam platform but it really isn’t that big of a deal so you do what works best for you, Kate! This video looked like a lot of fun to film

[@KateCavanaugh]

I won't be leaving. :) I'll be doing both! Mostly because the KZbin algorithm doesn't like daily livestreams bahaha. Vlogs and all videos (and occasional lives!) will stay over here. :) AND YES. I had so much fun with it!

[@kaylacook1522]

You may have done this already but have you done a tried writing like mMeg Cabot yet?

[@tryingtoputitintowords]

Really just happy to see how much of a nerdfighter you are! ❤️ DFTBA!

[@AScreenwritersJourney]

Keep us posted about Twitch. I tried watching Comic Book Girl 19 when she switched from KZbin to Twitch last year, but the stream kept getting interrupted. I tried watching a few times, but gave up due to the constant interruptions. Perhaps they've fixed it by now?

[@deichuu]

That might have been your internet or hers, I've been on twitch for years and never had interruption problems?

[@starfirefairyindigo2668]

My mum said, using t-shirts to dry your hair is faster than using a towel! 🧡

[@Eve.Daniels]

discord? twitch? I always feel like such an old grandma, I never know what any of these are and honestly have given up. KZbin, Instagram and a website (plus a little facebook) are already too much. I need to figure out what I'm doing there before I can be on steady enough ground to start moving forwards.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Bahaha and I'm over here avoiding Facebook at all costs and still struggling with website stuff, so I feel you on the opposite end too! (Though people are teaching me about Discord and Twitch and have been very patient as I struggle my way through bahaha.)

[@maya-gur695]

Yesss! I've been waiting for this video, I love them both so much!

[@RhyleeKJones]

I wish I could work out in the mornings like that, but I always need to get to work. I guess I could wake up before 6:00, but I'm not an early bird, and the fact that I can get up before 6:30 and get to work on time is an accomplishment in itself. (I do try to work out on the weekends.) Also your commentary on being a creative person and facing failure really hits home. I've queried the last three novels that I've written. (Gain some process but not met the goal) And just started an authortube channel myself, where I share writing advice, and even after a month of posting haven't seen much traction yet. But the moral is to keep persevering and enjoy what you do!

[@neilfranciscamay1738]

omg thank you for this! I hope you can try writing like Veronica Roth

[@AbiofPellinor]

This was such a fun video!

[@tajbrown-bey4645]

Can you do an I tried writing like Suzanne Collins

[@hindenburg2006]

I was today years old when I learned John Green of the Vlogbrothers was THAT John Green 🤯 To be fair...I’ve never read any of his work 😲😬🤭🤫 Am I too old? I’m 35...

[@oz_jones]

Nah, YA is for everyone. Well written YA anyway.

[@t0dd000]

The Greens are impressive people. I don't know how they do it all.

[@elliestrasser3106]

Another thing about Hank Green's writing process: When he first started writing what became AART, it was both an entirely new kind of writing for him but also an entirely new kind of working style for him. After about 10ish years of making weekly Vlogbrothers videos, he learned that he worked very productively when could write smaller chunks at a time and have immediate feedback - which is not how writing novels usually works. Usually. What he did was write a chapter weekly and post it on Patreon for 300 patrons (I was one of those 300). He did this to get immediate reactions to what he was writing right then and to hold himself accountable to get the chapters done. It was unclear at first what kind of feedback he was looking for from us so I think he found that part to be of mixed usefulness. He posted 10 chapters this way, went on to write more on his own (with what I hope was helpful notes) and then took the chapters down, hinting that he'd secured a deal.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oh wow!!! That's so cool! Thanks for sharing. It's great to see how the process evolved for him.

[@SKEllis-ie3ug]

John green is my sprite. I meant to write spirit animal but autocorrect has deemed it so. I mean it’s not wrong. He is my sprite. He is my patronus. He is my River fairy.

[@KH-pw4vo]

i cant wait to read your future books :)

[@elphabamushu]

Pleeease make a podcast

[@tulipsharma4628]

Do Nichols sparks

[@sandrameesala6804]

Oh my god I need her bike desk!!!

[@EmilyMcCosh]

Not getting traction on your youtube videos...ooof I felt that 😂

[@herothebard]

DFTBA kate

[@mparker6278]

I definitely just want to ~be~ Seanan McGuire when I grow up (i say, aged 31 🙄) but I just fundamentally do not have that level of productivity in me 😅 still gonna aim to be That Neighbor with the life sized velociraptor in my front yard though 🤣

[@wanderingteacherbooks]

Love that you did the vlogbrothers. I actually have a signed TFIOS poster hanging over my writing space as inspiration lol

[@Ericaaaaaaaaaa]

Kate, can we have a house tour once you get settled in? 🏡✨

[@rosetheresa6168]

I've only read one Green book, Turtles All the Way Down. I remember in like 4th grade when The Fault in Our Stars was all the rage and I really wanted to read it but my mom wouldn't let me. Now I'm "allowed" to read it, but I haven't cuz I'm not too into romances. However, TATWD is so, so special to me because I read it when I was really mentally unwell. Reading about a character with mental illness was exactly what I needed then. I also enjoy mysteries/dark twists/light romance (like the protagonist can have a partner but I'm not into full on lovey dovey fluffy angsty romance). Honestly, TATWD had bits of all the elements I love.

[@PlowAndPantryHomestead]

Literally, "squirrel!"

[@justinecooper9575]

Recommendations for "Writing Like" series; Mickey Spillane (don't say it was easy), H.P. Lovecraft.

[@mrsb50]

Definitely support you jumping onto Twitch for live-streams and will follow you there! It’s a much better user experience from the viewer side, imo, and it sounds like it’s helpful to separate them out for your own channel’s well being. Hope to see you stream soon!

[@carriecreative3152]

On the topic of how much writing is involved in KZbin scripts, etc. I’d love a video where you talk about your scripting process

[@mjbelko9443]

Squirrel!

[@alexmurrin]

Dftba!! I love John and hank, and listening to your take on them. I actually love hanks books even more than John's, mostly because I'm not a huge fan of the ya drama genre. Thanks for continuing to bring us great perspective regardless of everything going on

[@tulipsharma4628]

I have just started watching these videos and I am 15 and I am also writing my first novel, first draft and these videos are so helpful and informational. So thanks Kate 😇😊

[@its_just_seb]

must writing be perfect or good enough? is it not enough to simply be enjoyable? This is meant to be a joke but i honestly struggle with this so much, to the point that i never get anything actually done and just crank out first drafts

[@Alexa-uk8lj]

I need that bike chair desk thingy! What's it called?

[@scottishbookworm8506]

This was fun, a little bit different but still fun to see I read looking for Alaska before I put together that John Green was the author and the youtuber I watched. I think for me that remains my favourite book because I formed the opinion before it was distorted by consuming other content by them

[@billyalarie929]

"Reverse Mustache" do i even want to know? (yes. the answer is yes. i very much want to know.)

[@therogueeducator8452]

Oh my gosh, clicked so fast when I saw this :) Love them, love you. Perfect!

[@monkeyteehee0444]

I would love to see a "I tried writing like... Meg Cabot" video! :)

[@elizabethc7428]

I tried writing like Ben Franklin! (He was an author of sorts)

[@trinitygoeke9967]

I love watching your videos, they inspire me to write 😄

[@kristine95660]

Im so excited for preptober and nano this year.

[@surfpassion19]

OOOOH I'm so excited to check this one out after my online class!

[@CatalleyaStorm]

Wow, I’m actually really early this time. 😂

[@herothebard]

The level of meme in this video is off the charts.

[@reginaduke7451]

I drop everything to watch a new Kate Cavanaugh video!!!! You really should have your own tv show. Oh wait…you actually do!!!! I got rid of cable tv and KZbin is my new “tv” and your show is at the top of my list!

[@KateCavanaugh]

KZbin (and Netflix and Hulu and HBO bahaha) are my new TV too! :) THANKS REGINA.

[@hollyelizabeth]

omg! it's me! love the discord, kate!

[@KateCavanaugh]

YAY! THANK YOU!!!! :)

[@logan2113]

as they did WHAT in recent months? you must be mistaken there has been no specific projects like that going on recently.

[@mpsensha]

Never read any book of J.Green. Maybe one day.

[@olivegranola]

yes yes yes THANK YOU FOR THIS

[@avrilgloworm518]

THE SQUIRREL

[@tylerewings]

Hi Kate for a video write a script for a movie just an idea love your vids they really inspire me to release my inner author 😁😁

[@rjgraves7881]

I can't wait to try this too! I hope if helps me find what writing schedule works best for me.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Yessssss, good luck! :)

[@rjgraves7881]

thanks!

[@eastcoast4233]

I love turtles all the Way Down.

[@KateCavanaugh]

I still need to read that one!

[@sydneygilmore7872]

Are you trying self-publishing or traditional publishing?

[@g0pokeball]

Kate is stream from 2006 when the max streaming quality was 480 😂 please up the stream quality to at least 720, it's really unwatchable in 500px 😭

[@littleearth488]

AH I’m so sorry but the way you like SLAM your laptop shut scares me a little like you’re gonna break the camera or screen or something

[@AeSunfyre]

The moment when you actually pause the video to see what she typed into the chat box xD

[@IxiaRayne]

I really enjoy the vlog brothers. I have not read a single book they wrote ... however I do watch their channel all the time. They say a lot of smart things and a lot of it resonates with me. And baffles me with how much thought they sometimes put into the things they discuss. So yeah. I like them. Maybe sometimes I‘ll read one of their books 😅🙈 (That sounds so bad haha)