I TRIED WRITING LIKE...V.E. SCHWAB (for a week!)

[@CamWolfeAuthor]

Me: "Could be fun to give another famous Author's routine a go 🤔" You: "She starts her day at 7am" Me: "No."

[@KateCavanaugh]

Bahaha CAM. Try Brandon Sanderson's! He writes late into the night/morning and it almost killed me.

[@CamWolfeAuthor]

@@KateCavanaugh hahaha that definitely sounds more my speed 😂 Thanks Kate!

[@marenm8787]

This is a little random, but as a Librarian it always makes me happy to hear you mentioning your library! :D

[@KateCavanaugh]

LOOOOOVE my library! Some of my favorite childhood memories involved the library and I maintain that it's one of our greatest resources. (When I was on my solo roadtrip, I often stopped in at libraries to use the wifi as well!) Thank you so much for all that you do!!

[@marenm8787]

@@KateCavanaugh Awe! So glad to hear that! That's what we hope for, doing what we do! :D I had similar experiences and that's why I chose this as my career. You are very welcome, even though I'm on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. So you probably never stumbled into my place of work. ;D

[@cheezyfilmsproductions1842]

I was homeless for around a year back between 2019 and 2020, and the library was the single most valuable resource I had then.

[@xoxoaxeii]

Here's our girl againn! Srsly, whenever I watch your vlogs, I get inspired to write, write and write! It's actually my cure for Writer's Block!

[@katarakitten9088]

I've missed these I tried writing like videos. Just another episode of Kate doing crazy writing challenges so we don't have to 💕

[@terikoebel9179]

I don't know how easy it would be to find but John Green's writing routine might be cool.

[@lavenderm9062]

I got so excited when I saw Duke, its been too long!! We missed him 💞💖

[@cheesegavioli]

I was really missing Duke! I must have missed an update on him, but I'm so glad he's back :) the sweetest pupper

[@HellsMirror]

Congrats on finishing the draft for book 4! Seeing you succeed so much with your goals inspires me

[@julysanchez-sadowski7086]

I'm a routine AND numbers writer. With small humans and a job and a home and husband routine is important, but often my writing has to wait-- so I get to the basement bottom number goal for the day.

[@ChaosInSpace]

Omg YAAASSS V.E. Schwarb!!!!! I have been loving the No Write Way streams!!! and I literally made myself a version of her tracker thing yesterday because I saw it on insta and was like 😍 also mood on needing to try journaling in happy times, if I read back through mine I'd be like damn girl are you ever happy and/or not stressed?!? Congrats on finishing Meridian Maps the fourth!!!!! that's awesome!!! I wish I had the time to try out her routine at the moment but alas that may have to wait until someday when I can start working for myself, until then I shall live vicariously though you, and her instagram 😂

[@reginaduke7451]

Wow! You’ve found an author whose schedule is almost exactly like yours!!! Awesome! I love the tracker you created (based on hers). I like color. :D I track words in a similar chart, but my other daily things are checked off on my to-do list (part of my Journal). However, during pandemic, I don’t get in-person piano lessons and I feel like my music time is suffering, I’m going to try a similar dual chart to include dogs, piano, …sweeping the floor…and … dishes. :( (Don’t judge me, I’m old! LOL) Great video!!! 30 minutes sprints are hard for me, too. I’m best at 20 or even 25, but by then I need to get up and stretch and pamper the pooches. 1,500 words a day seems to be very comfortable on my current vampire project. And I am also working on being kinder to myself. Thanks for sharing!

[@multidinero]

In my own writing, I start with my loose plot outline and the main character summary. The two usually show up together. Once I get the general plot outline together I start writing. By “writing”, I mean anything and everything to do with the story, including new parts of the world that the character will interact with. That usually also brings forth support characters, tertiary characters with bit parts, setting ideas, descriptions of all of the previous things and the like. By the time I get the majority of that done, I’m at work, where my job allows me to sit for eight hours alone with my laptop, my iPad Pro, and my books for note taking. Usually in that time period, I’ve completed a chapter or two along with any needed world building/magic system stuff. By the time I’m headed home, I’ll need to make revisions to my plot- but I’ll normally continue to follow my story line until I reach the end of my plotted narrative. My process is still a bit messy, but it’ll get better the more I work on it. I’ve recently incorporated Hemingway into my early editing process. I used it for early line edits of the first draft and I really like it. Showing complex sentences, passive voice, adverb usage and such helps me clean up the early structure, though I get caught up and sink A LOT of time into its use. Anyway, I love the videos. You’re adorable as you passionately gush over the things you love to do. It’s endearing.

[@oliviacanady8669]

Yess!! I love VE Schwab so much! I’ve been waiting for this! I’ve been using her calendar system for several months and it’s seriously made such a difference in my life, especially during quarantine.

[@sailor.britters]

I do really like her routine, I think I could take a lot of notes from it and put it into my own routine. I think its super important to just keep the routine and then as you go it'll get easier and you'll get more done. At least for myself if I do at least one 20 minute sprint everyday, my word counts are higher, but if I take a break for a few days my word count drops when I start up again.

[@natasharedmane]

The official subtitle of this video should be "I have no choice but to stan" bahahaha

[@arethovisky]

I'm currently obsessing with your writing routines! Just love it!

[@kaylacook1522]

I love your Tried to Write series! I am definitely an output writer. Each day I have a chapter or scene I want to finish and I will work on it all day to get it done. I've started listing out everything I need to finish for a draft and cross the goals off as I complete them. It's really motivating for me to see my progress.

[@HannahTheHorrible]

yay! congrats on getting a sponsor, I love seeing my favorite creators partner with brands!

[@figleary6414]

I absolutely love these kinds of videos 😍

[@savannahwitter2276]

I once read a study that summarized the maximum that any one person can be focused on solely one task is their age in minutes - I’m 28, so my maximum attention span is 28 minutes, for example. That helped me feel less frustrated that I didn’t have the discipline that veteran writers have - they’re at higher levels than us, that’s all.

[@aquariusowl3872]

I just found your channel over the weekend and I think I’ve watched all of your content since then. 😂🤣. I started looking for nanowrimo videos because although I’m not a writer I’ve wanted to jump in on one. You are giving me inspiration everyday. Thank you for your fun and very informative videos.

[@loca4crafts]

I just recently started following VE Schwab on social media!

[@carolinecarruthers7415]

You're so buddy and your videos are so much fun to watch!

[@wafflehoarder2666]

I love all of your writing experiments! I just recently started a bullet journal, and have been collecting ideas on what kind of spreads and trackers I want to have in it. I checked out V. E. Schwab's Instagram (YES, I promise I followed her!), and now I think that adding a word sprint tracker would do a world of good in improving my productivity. Thanks for the video and recommending her tracking system!

[@ddstyl3]

I’m up early ready to be inspired!

[@robinsprung207]

Great video as always!

[@bhsprinkle]

Decided to try Campfire. I just started recently for free. Thanks for sharing your writing tools and sites on here.

[@darkflamereads6416]

I've been wanting to try out her grid system for a while now, and I love the idea that it emphasises the process rather than the endpoint. Super helpful to see you do this! 😊

[@sadiemcc9363]

I'd love to see you try writing like Robert Heinlein--I'm a big fan of his work (the YA books at least) but I understand his writing process is quite unconventional. I'd be curious to see what you'd do with it!

[@kathrynwrites8629]

I tend to similar schedule! I get work stuff done in the morning i.e. things I need concentration for. Then I break for lunch and I let myself be what I call "chaotically creative" which could be writing or crafting, sewing or even building a puppet. It's a little unorthodox but I find it gives me the room to figure story stuff out in the background while doing something with my hands!

[@robbdavis9889]

Great video. I'm new to Schwab's work after following on twitter for years and was looking for a few interviews hearing about her writing etc, so this vid was a pretty cool insight into her work days. Have subscribed to your channel as well. You also remind me of my friend, Jess and she's cool so it's meant as a compliment! :')

[@hope_moves_me]

I'm so excited for you!! dude you're almost done with a freakin SERIES of books. (plus others!) what an accomplishment.

[@comadustfire4795]

V.E. Schwab is my absolute favorite!

[@riverraines270]

I've begun the zero draft of my first novel. I lack writer friends, so I'm loving all your videos, which I'm totally not binging while I research. 👀

[@intisarmuhammad4511]

Kate I love your channel so much, seeing you work hard motivates me to work too

[@fable3625]

Finally someone who has about the same exact writing routine as I do 😅 i love these videos!

[@christinacreech1974]

I've been wanting you to do this for so long! I'm so glad you finally did! I love her and listening to her talk!

[@lauramonaghan1316]

Woohoo! Best day ever when the lovely Kate uploads 😃🥰

[@queendsheena1]

I love this so much. V.E. Schwab is a writing legend.

[@marias8007]

I like the idea of writing sprints

[@queendsheena1]

I'm definitely process-driven. But had to rise up to partially output-driven because of my chronic illness. I love writing in the process definitely. There was a time that I could just write for hours.

[@WORDSANDBRUSHSTROKESSTUDIO]

I love when you do I tried Writing like videos. I want to try out her routine.

[@teedee4360]

Yay!! I've been waiting so long for one of these!!!! They're my absolute favorite!!!

[@xbinabayax]

Yay! I love these vlogs but then again, I love all of your vlogs ☺️

[@oddleopardkai5949]

I listen to No Write Way when I’m walking my dogs in the morning! It really helps me get in the headspace for writing when I listen to authors discussing their works & their processes. I love VE Schwab’s advice (and her books of course, I’m almost done with the Shades of Magic trilogy). Her routine seems really nice, and a little bit similar to mine in some ways. Writing sprints for 30 min are hard, I totally get it! I’ve had days where I can do them no problem, and days where I struggle to focus. Just keep trying, but remember to be kind to yourself and take a break if it’s too much!

[@moab9587]

I love these videos and I love V.E. Schwab!!! ❤️

[@elphabamushu]

I love these I Tried Writing Like videos so much 💕

[@LizAllier]

You know, I'm not sure whether I'm output or process driven? I've never stopped to think about it as long as SOMETHING gets done? But milwordy is definitely forcing me to figure out. And I think my productivity has gone up in the last two days because I want to get that word count in. Does that make me me more output driven overall? I don't really have specific word goals per project but if I'm going really well and I see I'm close to another thousand, I keep going until I get there. Also, what about Toni Morrison for you next I tried writing like or Holly Black?

[@mrandisg]

This sounds like such a good routine! I currently don't have a set daily routine when it comes to writing, but I have recently designated Friday as my main writing day. I work Monday thru Thursday, and I'm usually splitting my weekend time between my side hustle and housework. Friday has become the only day of the week where I can truly dedicate my time to writing. I'm off work, it's the day I regularly Skype with my co-author, and I've recently started a habit of emailing her on that day after our Skype sessions (or just sometime that day) to make sure our notes are up to date on both ends. I do, of course, want to write more than once a week, but right now I'll take what I can get! Meanwhile, I'll figure out other ways I can incorporate writing into the rest of my week. Sounds like you really clicked with this routine. Maybe instead of 30 minutes, set a time for your sprints that's your actual sweet spot? But other than that, you could easily stick with this one if you wanted. I say if it works for you, go for it! 😊

[@A_Bookish_Obsession]

I honestly might try this I also already follow her on social media so it just seems like the perfect routine to try and replicate.

[@ahobbit111]

I love V.E. Schwab!

[@Paige11148]

not gonna lie... the frequency of kates videos keeps me accountable for writing ahah she gives me so much motivation.

[@nidoqueef4453]

Favorite one so far ❤️ also peep Duke just watching you from the yard 😂

[@KateCavanaugh]

Bahaha I know! He cracks me up. I'm only imaging what his internal monologue is..."the human is at it again."

[@nidoqueef4453]

Kate Cavanaugh Oh no... she’s doing that thing where she talks to herself for hours... she really needs a walk.

[@AbiofPellinor]

Ahhhh Duke!!! What a cute pupper

[@Rockbuddy]

For a week?! Can’t wait to see this...

[@chryscreates6151]

Always enjoy your vlogs. I have character development or scenes planned so when those are done I either stop or continue if it is flowing.

[@leonie9101]

If you want to get more into journaling. you could also try journaling with prompts, which are often phrased as questions. For example: “What is your favorite memory of your childhood?” Or “How can you be more mindful?”. I really like this kind of journaling, because it goes beyond my current feelings and thought, and helps me to reflect on many different things in my life.

[@AuthorZaraHoffman]

I might have to try that routine! I love this video (like all your other experiment videos). I'm more output-oriented but I don't always make that so I think if I could become routine-oriented I'd be happier. Also... please do Agatha Christie.

[@antoni8183]

you are best KZbin ever

[@baileybarnett2276]

So, yesterday, I was stalking your channel (like I do)... lol. I watched your video about writing like Kurt Vonnegut for a day. I decided to give it a try, so that's what I'm doing today! I planned it out last night and had to change just a few things seeing as his schedule was pretty flexible, it works for me :) For some reason, it was easier for me to wake up at 5:30 am vs 9 am on a "normal" morning for me. Weird. I might start waking up early. There is just something about having that time to yourself, in the cool, dark and quiet... I love it. Kinda. Also- this video's awesome, too! I feel like I always push myself more when I have a routine & watch your videos/show up to the live write-ins :) so thank you

[@KateCavanaugh]

Ooooh can't wait to hear what you think when you finish your day!! I really enjoyed his routine too. I still try to hit up the pool or exercise mid-day because of it. :)

[@mpsensha]

I have never read any of V.E.Schwab's books, but I'm tempted by Addie Larue.

[@bookishlifewithrania]

Good choice 👏❤️

[@martak.2978]

I always enjoy your "I tried writing like.." videos and writing vlogs the most. :) PS pleeease let me clean your laptop's screen! ;D

[@sunflowersoda58]

It’s so funny to see you talking about how it’s hard for you to focus for 30 minutes because I’m more of a sit down and write for 1-2 hours straight then be done kind of person and it’s so interesting to hear how other people differ.

[@lostinabookcase3796]

I'm such a morning writer too! It's like right at noon, my creative brain switches off XD

[@barbeskilson6132]

I recommend trying ukulele if you want to pick up an instrument. The learning curve is fairly quick. Also Jake Shimabukuro has a Masterclass!

[@t0dd000]

First I have heard of her. Neat. Really jealous of folks who can focus on one thing (writing). I'm lucky if I can find an hour a day. Just too many balls in the air. I love that some folks can focus this intently on something they love. Wait. You played the drums? Awesome.

[@onestoproyalty3442]

Yeah, I can only do 15 minute sprints at a time, and even THAT is pushing it 😅

[@tulipsharma4628]

My favourite has been J.K Rowling's writing routine and it has stuck with me. I have just like started writing my first ever book and like don't expect much from myself at this point cause I am just 15 but, your videos really motivate me to sit down and continue when I am being totally unproductive. And I really found my way through following a little of Rowling's creative process, by simply planning and plotting beforehand. Kate you are 🙌🙌 and I would like you to listen to Writer's routine the podcast.

[@NatalieLocke]

I’d love to see the authors that have full time jobs too, what their writing routine is. It is difficult to be output focused when your time is so divided. Downside, most successful authors end up making writing their full time job.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Agreed! And lots of them don't get asked their routines UNTIL they're full-time. NK Jemisin talked a bit about that so I made sure to include it in her Tried Writing Like video. I know Rick Riordan had his students beta read his work. Lots make it work....until they have enough money to go full-time.

[@fankaoliviilivki]

@@KateCavanaugh That would be the best! Most of us have jobs and other obligations - those routines, although look super cool and interesting, seems mostly unrealistic for us :( I would love to see a routine of any successful author BEFORE they became successful :)

[@honeybooks8443]

I really love your videos! You motivate me to write

[@HKDarkwood]

This really sounds like awesome writing That really sounds like an awesome work schedule, if I could only get myself to follow a schedule. I tend to get up Obsessed with the project at hand and forget everything else, even though if I'm stuck. May try this one to see if it fits.

[@tookerp]

Duke!

[@thiadesg]

I never fix myself time to write, but if I did, I think I would stick to a certain amount of time, instead of word count. To me, I fear I would write crap just to get that task done if I went with word count. Hopefully that makes sense. I'm glad you tried this method over a week! It is one critic I had of your other videos in this series, a day seems too short to get used to a new schedule/tools/other stuff.

[@sierrasun621]

Can you do an update writing routine of your own ??? I would love to see a video like that. 😇

[@AmayaMiyuki]

Questions Kate: What do you do with your finished puzzles? I see that you use puzzle glue, do you hang them up as art pieces?

[@EmptyKingdoms]

I tend to do both? I mean, I care so much about the process that I usually practice constrained writing, but I also have word goals and once I reach them I only keep writing if I reeeeeaaaally feel like it.

[@nothingbetterthanthis4684]

As much as I want to say I'm output driven its not the case same with the process. Somedays no matter how long I sit with my notebook or laptops I can't make the words work. Other days once I start I can't stop until I lose the momentum with the story because for lack of outlining or I can't get the emotion or feels from the scene. I don't think beining a linear writer helps me but its something that I'm working on. Unless a scene comes to mind that is 100% undeniable going to be necessary to the story they won't get written out of order. I do make notes about the scenes that come to mind a couple sentences worth but it's all subjected to change but most of the time they sit in my mind marinating. I completely went off course with that. Opps🤷‍♀️

[@katw5592]

What do you think of V.E. Schwab's writing routine? I like it and I get the whole "do the business stuff thing first" angle of hers. I think that's the best advice. Also this sentence: "But I’m just one author, and an author with a notoriously bad habit of shucking my routines, lurking on the internet, and going for a wander whenever work gets hard" is probably the best (and most relatable) one of the entire article you linked. Are you more "process" driven or "output" driven? Do you wish you were the other? I'm definitely a mix. I like seeing at the end of the day that I did something number-wise, but I also love ticking off items on my to-do-list. I think I fall more on the Process side of things. Who should I try writing like next? Christopher Paolini (author of the Inheritance cycle and To sleep in a sea of stars) maybe? He has a KZbin channel but I don't know if he shared his writing routine. And maybe Jim Butcher?

[@DawnMontgomeryAuthor]

What about giving yourself 5-10 minutes in the thirty-minute sprint to plan your actual writing sprint? Or, can you consider a 25 minute writing sprint with a 5 minute break as a "sprint" block? I love this video series. :D

[@Napynthe]

I just started this video so I’m not sure if you mention this, but one thing I found out about V.E. Schwartz is she writes her novels out of order, which is something I do and though I was super weird about. I cannot sit and write from beginning to end. I get struck with ideas and scenes from book two of my planned series and I have to write that while it’s fresh in my mind. I looked it up online to see if I was crazy or doing something wrong and found that she does the same, which made me feel better. Edit: she said rainfall in headphones. My preference is crackling fire with a snowstorm to block everything out, but I only recently started this, so we’ll see if that changes in the summer.

[@Alresu]

Exact pricing numbers in the ad? Nice. Usually it's just "you get x percent off!" with no notion on how much you still have to pay.

[@elizalagonia1049]

When I can actually have a writing schedule again, I think I'll try something similar. I can't just do 30 minutes at a time and I like word counts for my sprints so I know what's I'm finding easy to write and what's I'm struggling with. I'd like to see, and I'm not sure if you could find any information on this, but some of the mid-list romance novelist. Kelly Klepos, Alona Andrews, Shannon Drake. They aren't bestsellers, but I find they are auto buys for a lot of romance booktubers. Shannon Drake doesn't fall into the auto-buy for the booktubers but she's one of my favorites.

[@melanieannplans2666]

After participating in writing sprints for the past year or so, I've found that 17-23 minutes is my sweet spot. 30 minutes is...tough. I let myself "take mini breaks", but then half the time goes by, and I have very few words written. Ha - oops! Also, if I remember correctly, I think JesseTheReader is a huge fan of V.E. Schwab. :) I'll definitely need to give her a follow on all the platforms! And read her books, of course lol.

[@alessiac795]

We missed Duke!

[@somberhoney]

What do you do with your finished modpodged puzzles? Also side note, Jumex is pronounced with a Spanish J, so like an English H.

[@axlaru]

I can do 30 minute sprints but I have no idea how I manage it. And I think I can only do that if I'm sprinting along with a livestream. Though maybe today I'll try a 30 minute sprint on my own to see. Also you should try writing like Tamora Pierce

[@harveythepooka]

IMO, it's stupid to beat yourself up over how well you're writing one day. If I sit down to write and the words aren't coming, it's a waste of my time to force it. I'd be better of watching youtube or taking a nap than forcing myself to write when it's like pulling teeth. Make yourself try, but allow yourself to quit without judgment. I track words, or I should say I track how many words I put in per hour, so I really track time. Time is finite. It should be seen a resource. I try to use it wisely. I try to write about 2 hours a day when I'm drafting, or more if I feel like it, if the words are flowing it's stupid to stop yourself, the next day they might not be flowing as well. I generally get about 2500-3000 words a day. I only work on one project because I'm a pantser and my gray matter is where the book is stored, I don't want to mislay it by working on other projects. It just doesn't work and makes everything slower to get back into that flow again, see, still worried about time. If we all remembered how precious it is, we'd all be better off.

[@madisonmaya94]

Can you do a video on how you personally use campfire pro because I does sound dope! Like, you can create languages! I need to see that in action lol

[@oh_goliath]

That's not a coffee mug, that's a BOWL! ⚡

[@broadwaybutterfly310]

I'm trying to be more process focused. I am very much output focused, but no in a healthy way. I can write all day and still feel like a failure if the word count is low, especially since a lot of my writing process is deleting and editing as I go (I know, I know, I'm trying to change that too)

[@skytower1662]

I'm very much routine focused. I've found that if I go for a word count goal, I always end up working at an unsustainable pace to achieve it.

[@SavySavannah65]

You should try writing like Sarah J Maas next!

[@lukajackson2339]

If you want I have a 1000 name list that I am working at alphabetizing and typing up instead of handwritten and I could send you the doc if you want and that could help with your naming difficulties. I have just started copying into docs so far but it probably will end up being color-coded.

[@zoekoza436]

Have you heard of Hafsah Faizel? She is a Sri Lankan American YA fantasy writer on the NYT Best seller list. I would love to see her routine!

[@louisemunro9437]

Have you tried adjusting her 4x30min sprints to 6x20min sprints? She does emphasize that she needs 2 hours in the morning, not necessarily that 30min sprints are vital. Perhaps your productivity would increase if you matched your sprint time to your concentration.

[@KateCavanaugh]

20 minutes are what I usually do, yes! :)

[@Ash-qp2yw]

Hey Kate, how are you finding Well of Ascension? It's still a good book IMO, but it's the weakest of the Mistborn Trilogy

[@chesterdavis27]

This is way out of left field, but what about Iain M. Banks? There's stuff about his process on Gizmodo and Pinterest. I know because I just Googled Iain M Banks writing routine.

[@parkjiminismylight6441]

I've a question. Campfire Pro is a one time purchase for the software so...os it a lifetime subscription or more of a one year renewal subscription?

[@hannahhubbard7502]

Kate, how do you not spill your drinks on your laptop?!