PREPARING FOR DRAFT TWO | weekly writing vlog ep 7

[@AlexaDonne]

WAIT KAT WE ALL HAVE RED HAIR IS THIS AN AUTHORTUBE/BOOKTUBE CONSPIRACY? ARE WE A RED-HEADED AUTHOR CLIQUE?! But seriously, YES, I also used my break to clean. I basically didn't reallllly clean my apartment from May until now. I'm a terrible adult. I vacuumed and threw out boxes this weekend and I'm feeling so energized! Now it can fall right back into disarray during NaNo!

[@gingerreadslainey]

I literally had this thought last week but I didnt want to say anything because who knows how long it'll last for Kat 😂😂

[@AlexaDonne]

@@gingerreadslainey lol true. Also mine fades back to honey blonde every 6-8 weeks anyway :P

[@zeryyyyy6835]

Love these vlogs I am watching all of nanowrimo 2012 to prepare for this year Hope book gets published I want to read something where 'chaos and romance ensues'

[@LauraTwoPointO]

Kat, I can't tell you how helpful your videos have been for me lately! I'm just getting back into writing after a creative drought and the way you talk about craft, your tips, have been invaluable. I have never felt this prepared for Nano before. If I ever get published, I will be sure to thank you in the acknowledgements! :)

[@alexandraroselyn]

Uhm a live show with you AND Lainey AND Alexa??! Sweet baby Jesus AND YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT NANOWRIMO ?! Dead. Podcasts about writing? Any recs? It is 2:20 in Tennessee❤️

[@bat5092]

Alexandra Roselyn Yes! I need a writing pod!!

[@alexandraroselyn]

A Fangirl me toooooooo!! Didn’t know that was a thing actually.

[@MsKristinaRose]

A good one is 88 Cups of Tea

[@alexandraroselyn]

Danielle B omgsh thank you!! I’ll go look that up right now!!

[@ThePerksOfBooks]

I've been enjoying your writing vlogs SO MUCH. I can't wait to someday walk into Barnes and Noble and purchase your book :)

[@jeremiahbok9028]

Sooo much advice. I get a relatable, goofy writing tutorial every week. This is the best.

[@isabel2589]

Loved the video! “The secret” idea is really good, you got me thinking, maybe I will implement it! :) i’ll be doing nanowrimo, too, i can’t wait!

[@addangel]

I'm honestly so impressed that you have the patience and dedication to write all of that by hand! I love handwriting (in theory), especially the part where I get to pick my favorite pens and buy pretty notebooks, but then I get to the actual writing, and 10 minutes in I've given up and started typing. I'm too much of a perfectionist, so I get frustrated by it not being neat enough, or by not being able to edit and rearrange stuff... Plus my hand gets tired SO quickly, I almost can't believe I used to write for hours a day in school. These days the most I'll have patience to handwrite are grocery/chore lists, though lately I've been typing even those lol.

[@elliehopkins2478]

I’ve missed these writing vlogs more than I care to admit 😂 glad to have you back Kat!

[@bytheBrooke]

I love Lainey! I met her on my writing retreat I went on this year! So happy to see three wonderful women talking about the loveliness of Nano! Also, I'm so pumped for your nano vlogs!

[@SheilaArellano]

Awesome! I'm so glad you are enjoying your break. Cleaning is actually a very creative process for me! I'm super excited for your live shows, yas! I'm going to go buy all those writing book recommendations now.

[@kaylinmoore4986]

you have no clue how much these videos inspire me! currently gearing up for nanowrimo!!

[@componentsofcalamity]

I'm so proud of you Kat! my book is not coming along at all, but watching you write makes me so happy and excited to read your book

[@asmaaria5066]

Your videos always make me happy, automatic click no matter what the time is. Here in what is literally an ocean away it's almost 07:00 pm

[@alicealegrand6379]

Wow Kat, I've never thought about how much prep work goes into world building. Very interesting!

[@Diana-cq4mu]

I love these videos because I can watch them during writing breaks without getting too distracted from actually writing. If something they only motivate me more to jump back into my own story.

[@dariaelizabeth8031]

Omg I soooo appreciate all the different filming locations/angles!! Very impressed 🤗

[@AsheaBlack]

I'm watching this video at midnight, I'm falling asleep but you determination deserves a comment even from a ghost watcher like me. Keep up the good work Kat, you're amazing!

[@rysteggs8695]

This has just inspired me to actually outline the story that’s been in my head for THREE YEARS. So excited to read your book Kat!!

[@brynnsumers]

Your vlogs make my terrible monday at school so much better. I have all my core classes right before lunch so when I get to lunch I can relax and eat while watching your videos and preparing for my singing and dance classes. I really want to read your book!!

[@postshyhannah3654]

Love your writing vlogs, I actually woke up excited on a Monday because I knew this video was coming!

[@jubrusco_]

I LIVE for these writing videos💜 currently finishing my first draft (140K words) and preparing another one for nanowrimo! so excited! :)

[@TundraTomes]

KAT these are such good points and strategies! i'm definitely going to adapt some of these things when revising! especially the location masterlist, that'll be SO HELPFUL.

[@camilaarmani5639]

Here in Brazil it´s 4pm right now, and your videos always brighten up my Monday afternoons!!! Can´t wait for the next one! xo

[@lpequestrian46]

This totally helped me!😂😂 when I am writing i don't add detail, because that's just my writing style... and it makes me very discouraged to write, but what you are doing would help me a lot with my writing thank you! ❤❤ love these writing vlogs

[@ivirana0]

Wow I actually enjoy all the inside that we are getting!! I might try some of your methods (like the outline of a location) since it really seems handy :) can't wait to Monday!

[@st4rb0y333]

I LOVE YOUR CONTENT SO MUCHHHH best youtuber honestly, so excited for the craft book recs!!

[@saylaslibrary]

Kat, you’re freaking awesome. I’m loving these vids, and they inspire me to write sOoOo MUCH!

[@alterbun]

SO excited about the live show!! And I definitely want to look into those writing craft book recs!

[@alilbitmads]

stoked for the liveshow on sunday! i've already started writing down my characters and settings prenano and it's so helpful!

[@rubyschran5330]

this series, and you in general, make me so happy

[@proudbooklion2094]

It's Monday 22:43 or for you who don't do military time it's 10:43pm in Sweden I have a home exam from tomorrow until Friday and my plan is to only write on it and ignore all my responsibilities so you're a big mood Love your vlogs!!!

[@Piggeroo]

Can you do a video about how you use a notebook for outlining a book? Like what stuff goes in the notebook and how do you organize it all? I love your organization tips honestly

[@Victoriomantic]

Love the idea of every character even (especially?!) minor characters. Such a good idea for how to hold them in mind as a realistic and fleshed-out person even if it's just for writing purposes :)

[@daniellewagner7140]

I love every single piece of advice you give, Kat! Now becuase of you I am A hardcore outliner! It's currently 2:17 pm in Oklahoma!

[@teighlorc2963]

Never would have thought of doing all this in depth developmental work AFTER doing the first draft. Always thought you need need to do all of these before haha probably why I never start

[@VanessaMarieCreates]

This is awesome! Your "Master Character List" is so much more detailed than mine. And I don't even HAVE a master settings list--that sounds so helpful! I always get stuck when it's time to describe the setting XD Also, I watched this at 5:40 p.m. EST as a break from all the cleaning I've been neglecting :)

[@mercado617]

watching this right before work @12:45 (now that its over) . I love when the timing works out like today

[@randomreader]

Now I feel the need to write after months of procrastinating because of this video. You just always get me In the writing mood

[@BinocularsSwag]

I've been wanting to write a story, which I think would only work as a play, and I'm finding your method quite useful to adapt because it would be a 6 POV story where all of them intertwine at some points. And I keep thinking about specific scenes for all of them that I feel I'd need to write in completion one by one, before mixing them.

[@TheReadingWerewolf]

I was going to write and then I was about to fall into the rabbit hole of a MatPat live show, but then I saw this and it saved me. Thank you.

[@sydneysbooks]

I watch these videos while I do laundry on Tuesday afternoons xD Thank you for all the advice!!

[@santanasg8445]

Kat each time I love your writing vlogs/ updates mora and more

[@justjocelynne]

Love the update! I hope you're having fun expanding on the world more!

[@Torsee]

Loved the insight into the process! Intense! Oh, love your hair color and style! Your rocking it!

[@fangurling8980]

Kat, I'm so happy that you're back regularly making videos. Missed you!

[@kristianisreal8689]

MORNING SQUAD I like how detailed your planning is! And the liveshow sounds great! I hope I can make it.

[@annier5914]

i love ur writing vids sm! im currently writing a new novel so these vids r so helpful to get me in the writing mood. also ur hair looks so good in this vid!!!

[@annier5914]

also lmao i watched this vid right before my v boring philosophy class at 3pm

[@alicealegrand6379]

So excited for the biweekly live shows!

[@leathehatless]

It's afternoon mate!!! I also have to do a lot of prep before jumping back into the second draft. There is some much to figure out! :o Good luck!!

[@SabrinaJohns]

You look so good Kat! Can't wait to reeeeeeeaaaaad!

[@ReadwithStefani]

this videos are so helpful, keep them coming :D i only watch yours when it comes to the writing craft. good job kat! maybe you'll inspire me to write something too D:

[@artwriter76]

Great vid as always! Can't wait for the next update and the live shows sound really cool! At the time I'm writing this it is 12:44 p.m. I'm in the U.S. Central Time Zone

[@authorgkray]

Writing vlogs give life! I love Ray Bradbury's, "Zen in the Art of Writing", too. I'll have to check out "The Anatomy of Story" asap. I'm watching this about 6:17pm... We are both in Cali. So yeah.

[@patronusmarauder8206]

I feel like I'll never be as good as Laini taylor 😅 I'm so excited to read Muse of Nightmares!

[@Katytastic]

it's SO GOOD i hope you love it!! XD

[@brycebrewer4082]

That master list idea is so good. I'm totally going to use that 😊

[@ChelSierra_Remly]

I sometimes write to the Twilight movies on in the background. I've seen them so many times that they aren't distracting. And they give me an idea of how long I've been working. Sometimes I repeat them a couple of times before I finish with what I'm working on. I don't know if I need the voices talking, versus singing/music, or just why I can be productive while they're playing. I have CDs of wildlife sounds, but I haven't tried using them yet. I'll try them if nothing else works for me.

[@ButterfliesfromBs]

OMG, I do that with Harry Potter. Glad someone else is doing something similar.

[@ChelSierra_Remly]

@@ButterfliesfromBs It's amazing how easy it is to focus on the writing while the movies are playing. I think that sometimes music can take you out of the moment, not sure why the movie music doesn't do that though. *shrugs* Whatever works is alright with me. I just hope I don't get sick of the movies, or I'll have to find new movies to write to ... maybe the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy? I've seen them more than enough times as well. And Byzantium too. I need to watch The Host a bunch more times before I'll try it.

[@astoldb]

It's 2.35 am and I'm writing a paper and just took a break but watching haha. Good luck with drafting and revising!

[@AuthorAKLim]

Coming at ya from 2:30 pm lol -- you asked! I've been avoiding Muse of Nightmares for that exact reason lol -- my self esteem can't take that hit man. So glad you love Anatomy of Story as much as I do! It's such a great resource and makes the whole process of writing feel much more...purposeful? I love having an idea of what points to hit and how to do so in the story. I haven't heard of Writing Deep Scenes before, I'll be sure to check it out! I would LOVE to see that notebook! I love your method of worldbuilding and character development, and it's super interesting that you do that after the rough draft! Smart to get the story out while it's fresh and then take a step back to work on characters and the rules of the world. One thing about outlining that I've noticed is that it's easy to get lost in planning to the point that the actual STORY is put on hold. Definitely gonna try this method for my next wip :)

[@LuxuriousBlu]

This was super informative and inspiring. Thanks! It's after 2pm when I watched this video.

[@ladyhanna13]

Well I’m in New Zealand right now so I’m basically have an entire day ahead of you 😅 I ALWAYS enjoy your videos ☺️

[@jananiananthanarayanan4794]

Yay new Kat video!!

[@YuukiMoo]

5:47 PM on October 30th, getting ready for work! 😎 You kinda make it seem so complicated to write a book and all I want to do is write GURL WHY YOU SCARE ME SO MUCH 😂😂 in all seriousness tho, all of your writing videos are truly inspiring and motivating! I’m glad you’re sharing your experience 🤓

[@aephiinguyen]

I love watching these vlogs!!! I can never be so consistent with them

[@JenLovesCraft]

I love your videos! Also, I just realized you remind me of Alyson Hannigan from How I Met Your Mother!

[@mayaroumie4154]

Your vlogs are really amazing!! Like I love seeing the notification on my home screen, especially on Mondays ❤️❤️ Question: is your book in third person? ( if you can tell us)

[@SusanCartersBooks]

Hi Kat! Thank you for all your terrific videos! I watched your video at 8pm here is Sydney, Australia

[@yousuzers565]

It's currently 11:23am on the Tuesday after. I just finished writing an exam and this video is helping me feel better

[@TiliaHaggstrom]

These always put me in such a great mood :)

[@azammatbou2360]

YESSSSSS 😘😘😘 hope the good luck with writing continues

[@ThePatchworkNerd]

These vlogs are so encouraging and invigorating! I'm so excited to learn more about book! Also, it's 1:25pm CT here!

[@Micahlee_19]

Rewatching this as part of my writing break today :) Day 6 of NaNo!

[@broccbadgerbean]

I watched this sort of mid-morning (around 10:30) and I am definitely not completely awake but yay writing vlog :D

[@janeyannachicken9053]

This is so different from how I work currently. I don't really do a draft of my entire project and then rework and polish it. I do a draft of a scene, then I rework and polish that scene, then I draft the next scene, and so on. Every 100 pages I do a re-read of the entire project to see everything in context and check the pacing, and I fix things that I missed or that changed while I learned more about the world/characters. So when I write the last scene, the first half of the book is already pretty much as good as it will get, and the rest just needs a bit of additional polish because the second half is always written much better than the first, since I know so much more.

[@amandunn]

I’m about to attempt NaNo for the first time and I have a 7 year old and a 3 year old. Send me lots and lots of patience and good vibes! 😂

[@AmberMcManus]

Feeling like an inadequate writer after reading Laini Taylor is #relatable. Her writing is so beautiful and it's hard to imagine ourselves ever writing at that level, but she probably never imaged herself writing at the level either. Good luck in Nano!

[@Avril.]

I've really enjoyed the writing updates and man I'm a sucker for charts and stuff that you have in them all but I found the contrast of this one and your world building just as enjoyable if not more so. What time was it when I watched? 18:43 GMT

[@queendsheena1]

It's 1:13pm right now in Jamaica and it's raining like a mo'fo. Give me back my sun! Anyway, love watching your Vlogs Katy. You do a lot of preparation and clearly it suits you. Also what you peeping on Netflix?

[@PhoebeWritesFiction]

Love the sound of those craft books. Haven't read either of them, but checking them out now :)

[@stanisawgrabowski6256]

Kat always makes me want to change my pantser ways but halfway through doing all the outlines and notes I realize that my pantser ways don't allow me to know a lot of stuff until I actually write it? Like, it's all cool and fun on paper but then my characters are like 'BITCH YOU THOUGHT' and change the plot and I find out about some things that completely change my perspectives and new relationships are born and new secrets discovered and it's all pure chaos? I'm honestly kinda jealous of people who can outline well and I think I'm gonna try that with my next project. We'll see how that works!!! But also, it's a contemporary coming-of-age story that's really character-based so I don't know how that'll work??? in conclusion, I'm a HOT MESS

[@Diana-cq4mu]

I am the same but for my current project I started writing without an outline and after a few thousands words I made an outline for the next dozen scenes or so. Then I wrote them and then I made an outline again for the next ones. It worked really well for me because I have a structure I can go after while writing but I can also easily incorporate changes and new developments I discover while writing.

[@stanisawgrabowski6256]

Nihenpiaoliang Hm that's a great method! I think I'll need to try it and maybe It'll work for me. Also, I do sort of make an outline before?? But it's very loose, I just know the beginning, the end, some key scenes in the middle and the basic character arcs.

[@elliejordan3233]

@@stanisawgrabowski6256 that's how I outline too! But I'm going to try all what Kat's doing after I finish my first draft, so in 20 years.

[@ness.ness.]

YAYYY THIS MADE MY DAY!!! THANKS FOR UPLOADING, I HOPE YOU'RE BOOK REVISING IS GOING WELL :)))

[@GloomyDragonQueen]

These weekly writing vlogs are what I look forward to watching every week. Oh and my time would be 2.48pm EST :P

[@noramoth2226]

Your hair looks so good!

[@Katytastic]

thank you!!

[@noramoth2226]

@@Katytastic You're very welcome!

[@evanj9593]

first off, love these writing vlogs, they've really made me realise that I should be getting back on the writing horse (or should i say, the writing dragon) as well, so NaNo 2018 it is lol. i'm from the netherlands so i watched this video in the evening!

[@hibaz5157]

Love these videos Kat! They make me feel so motivated to write. It's 11:09 pm here in Pakistan ❤

[@Fred2303]

I loved this video because it made me realize that I totally need a list of locations as well and this day in the life of thing wouldn't hurt either. It totally would make writing easier for me but until now I didn't realize that things like that were missing in my writing routine. Thank you!

[@adorkthatreads]

your hair is looking great these days, kat! the faded red really suits you xD

[@bridinquinn3388]

Yay girlll you're inspiring meee! Love from Ireland!!! 💚

[@puhno]

soooooooooooooooooooooo *THERE'S A SCHOOL* ! XD oh! and *quick question* : would you recommend creating background elements for characters and world building BEFORE you write out the first draft??

[@anabranco8231]

Hey there! I always love your videos. They are always so inspiring and your energy is really Magic! Can you please point some podcast about writing that inspire you? Thank you so much! 😊

[@IceRiver1020]

Sometimes I like to watch or read reviews for terrible books because it makes me think "surely if THIS garbage could get published..." Also, timelines are such a headache to me so I always avoid them as long as I can, but I'll definitely get on that in my next draft. Although one kind of timeline I don't mind as much is making daily schedules for my characters.

[@moonstone-dreamer6512]

so excited for your live show

[@alexandraroselyn]

Also really quick- I'm like....90% positive I tweeted you last week asking for live shows over the weekends and...obviously my tweet had nothing to do with this decision but still. I'm feelin pretty heard.

[@leahluksetich7582]

Hey, Kat! I been watching your channel for a long time now, but this might be the first time I've left a comment. I've been absolutely loving these weekly videos! They're excellent. Do you mind if I make a few recommendations I think you'll love? The first recommendation is to follow Jane Espenson (a.k.a. prolific and talented TV writer responsible for some of the best episodes of Buffy) on Twitter. She hosts 1 hour writing sprints pretty frequently that might be a fun addition to your writing process. She usually announces them a little beforehand. My other recommendation is to check out a podcast called How Story Works from Chipperish Media, hosted by best-selling author and story expert Lani Diane Rich. Most of it will probably be old news to you, but Lani is so brilliant and eloquent that I'm sure you'll enjoy listening to her anyway. She also hosts another podcast with a good friend of hers about Buffy the Vampire Slayer that is also extremely good! Whew. That ended being a lot longer than intended. I hope you enjoy!

[@ButterfliesfromBs]

I'm definitely going to pay attention to your recommendations. a 1 hour writing sprint. Phew! Time for a challenge. The longest I've done is 20 minutes!

[@LilMurKitten]

This video gave me so many ideas for planning! Thank you. (Also you reminded me to do laundry, so thank you haha)

[@carole-rosemelanie-jane6570]

7PM!!! lol i love u kat ur such a joy

[@TheWordN3rd]

It watched this just shy of 2 p.m. I do the re-outline thing too. Otherwise, my plot points get so jumbled up and I end up confused and no writing gets done. Lol.

[@lenalawlipop]

It's 8pm here, though I'm watching a little after this video was uploaded I think XD And the show on November 4th sounds awesome, sadly I'll have to watch it on Monday though, since that day I'll probably be doing a 12hr writeathon... I need to start my nano writing strong! 🙀🙀 so many awesome things happening on Nov 4th... 😭😭

[@emmatherineladosson]

When this book gets published will you share the secrets of each of the characters with us?

[@Shy.bookdragon]

Watching at 5:25am before work