If Your Story Isn’t Working (yet)…

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

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[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

Your video is perfectly timed.

[@mezlyndon662]

My current work is a broken piano that I've caught instead of dodging, when it came through the roof behind me, so I could work up some muscles trying to lift it. I'm pretty sure the internal mechanisms don't work and can't be repaired, but I'm polishing the outside up anyway, for practice. When it's done, I'll put it in the corner on display, and as long as no one tries to actually play it, it'll probably look decent enough. For a first novel anyway. :) And you're right - I might discover the right tools to fix the inside of it one day. You never know. But it's ok if I don't. I'll be better at polishing the next thing, either way.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Love this - that's a great attitude I think. Even if it doesn't work and it doesn't turn into anything necessarily, if you're anything like me you'll look back on your first novel with fondness anyway.

[@JasonFuhrman]

Great video, and one I think a lot of us need to be reminded of--and I don't see a lot of people talking about it. I believe every story can work. At some point. Sometimes you have to step away for a while.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Absolutely. It all comes down to being patient with yourself I think. Easier said than done, from a very impatient person who has had to learn the hard way!

[@Makememesandmore]

My story is like that phrase "If a boat has all its parts replaced up to the nail and plank, is it the same boat?" because my story now looks nothing like the story idea I had to start. And I hate that because now I'm caught up in 2 story ideas I want to let go of and just... can't And then I watched the video and realised I should probably go work on my other 30 story ideas and leave Light and Shadows for a bit.

[@jeffj4440]

Helpful. Encouraging. Motivating. Thank you.

[@B.matrix]

I love these essays you do. This one hit. Thanks.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you! They often don't do so well, but I feel like they're more meaningful sometimes, so I'll try to keep making them. I appreciate that.

[@MK-fi6mh]

Thank you

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

I always love the way you explain things with intricate examples. Loved this!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you!

[@zuzanalukacova9325]

I just got stuck in my story. This video came in perfect time!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

That's exactly what I wanted out of this video, even if it just helps a little!

[@zuzanalukacova9325]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting It does a lot! Your videos are always so helpful and inspiring

[@subarnamohanty8268]

This happens. Its so beautiful.

[@DavidLeeHolcomb]

First rejection! (That was quick...) It was a very polite rejection, and she suggested I submit the query to the agency at large, in case somebody else wanted to pick it up, which was nice. Last time I went through this, I just got the El Grande Economy Size stack of form letters, layered with my shredded self-esteem and a smooth purée of my will to live, drizzled lightly with my tears, so I'm encouraged. One down, ninety-nine to go.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Ah, commiserations! Better than waiting weeks for it though I suppose. Well done for getting it sent and pushing through that barrier. That's a good sign that they suggested re-sending it though, I'd definitely take them up on it!

[@woodlandlady7011]

Thanks for this. You really got my mind thinking.

[@stoutmacintosh5390]

Thanks for this, good timing!

[@GorgeousLady144]

This is one video I needed to see. I have been feeling like my story might not be that good. It might be too contrived and my reader will think it's ridiculous. Thus after writing 25,000+ words. Last Saturday I spent 8 hours writing and didn't notice. I was so caught up in the story. Now I'm either overthinking it, or wondering am I good enough to be doing this? Thank you for your thoughts.😊

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I think those same things on the regular! I'm trying a story now that I don't feel like I'm equal to at all, it's part of the writing process. I take that feeling as a sign that I'm learning and it sounds like you are too. The nice thing is, we can struggle through the first draft and be better writers by the time we finish it, so the second draft will be better!

[@hsk10k]

Hey dude 👋 need your opinion, so I'm worried about plagiarism I'm not actively doing it but I read alot and some of sentences just stuck with me ,and the structure so the line is; the first thing he saw was xyz but the next xyz would this be plagiarism?.(An author I read uses this structure often)

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Heck no! Not in my opinion anyway, the odd similar phrase is inevitable in writing. I thing plagiarism in fiction only becomes a real problem when entire stories are copied and rewritten or whole concepts are stolen. A line inspired by another writer shouldn’t get you trouble I don’t think.

[@hsk10k]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting thank you so much man, that's a relief.

[@bgmi-vishant4358]

Someone told me if you want to become a writer then you need a writer card! It's really important? And if I want to publish my book so I need writer card?

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

That's not something I've heard of personally!