Last Day in Las Vegas ✨ ROUGH DRAFT DIARIES

[@HeartBreathings]

Exhausted but glad I came.

[@Sina-aka-potatosupreme]

When it comes to writing speed I tell myself: “There are Stephen Kings and there are G.R.R. Martins. And both are great.”

[@KimtheElder]

💜Pausing the video @9:40 to say: You allow US to be ourselves. You don't put extra burdens on us to just get it done no matter whatever it takes. By being your genuine self, and sharing the real process, we then have permission to say, "It's going to be okay. Sarra has similar struggles sometimes." Okay, back to the video...

[@HeartBreathings]

♥️♥️♥️

[@bahora3]

I really needed to hear this message today: to not give up and the reminder that books can take years to write and that you can always come back to your story later on. Your energy is so beautiful and your enthusiasm is so contagious, Sarra. Thank you for always encouraging us and for being a light of hope for those of us who are currently in the darkness of despair and shame and guilt. 💜💜💜

[@elizabaum]

I've really enjoyed these casual chatty updates.

[@elliestephenson4146]

I can practically feel the energy coming off you! So glad it’s been such a brilliant week for you 😃

[@LeahWriter]

I'm so happy this week has been fun and productive and rejuvenating for you. It's inspiring for me to see you taking time for activities that feed your soul. Our lives are too short to just be a slog. Thanks for sharing Vegas with us. Your joy is contagious.

[@AntiNovelist]

The way you work out how to VISUALIZE your story [note card slicks, floating shelves, writing it = GOLD!!! Such a tangible process! You still rock -- take care and KEEP GOING!!!

[@KayeRobs]

It's so lovely to see all your stars aligning, Sarra!

[@Kat_Author2021]

I’m currently at 57,593 words of my 100,000 goal for the month. I’m slowing down for the next few days as I finish this one project. Then I’ll start another project.

[@debl3063]

You do seem energized and happy. Glad the trip was a success. Also, I just bought that book after hearing you mention it. I look forward to reading it after the Rough draft Challenge.

[@KHWriting]

It's been wonderful seeing your joy and excitement grow with each update. Congrats to Andrew! And so sorry about the house fiasco. Have they found the source of the leak yet? I go in bursts with writing. I'm a little behind but not too bad. My hand is recovering from carpal tunnel surgery and sometimes I just need to not have my hand and wrist resting on a keyboard, even with my cushion. As far as your story, I just naturally assumed each part was going to be a cliffhanger, so I was surprised you hadn't. 😂 I mean...it's you. Lol. (Said with love.) Safe travels tomorrow!

[@HeartBreathings]

Haha yes I knew it would be a cliffy but I wasn't planning to hang the plot on the cliffhangers so it's just a shift in perspective for the plan! Hope you are feeling better with your wrist! The leak is the bathroom upstairs so all repaired now.

[@annad3842]

I've also changed by goal, from 20,000 to 10,000 and I'm halfway through at mid-month so it's quite motivating - versus keeping the 20K goal and only being a quarter of the way through :) Thanks for sharing your writing excitement! It's contagious 😄🍒🍒🍒

[@nadiajohnson5733]

I always feel seen after your videos. Thank you! ❤❤❤

[@marcosandoval6175]

You're an amazing person, and I love your work and as an up and comer, I'm so grateful for your work :)

[@linetteholm7127]

I am soooo excited for you! PLEASE share ur whole process for how you plot the serial. ..spoilers and changes and all. THEN I'll be able to hear how it turns out!! I have an idea for a serial, and I have NO IDEA how to do it. So...LOVE all that you share!! THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU!!! ❤❤❤

[@BrekkeEl]

Yay Sarra! Have a safe trip home. My teen boys were always down with t-shirts from travel trips. Can’t wait for all the ways this trip is going to bring new growth in your writing and creative life!

[@frogponddreams]

The little bit where you talked about not feeling bad if you don't hit the word count you're going for is so motivating to me! I've been struggling a lot to keep a consistent writing schedule as I have a lot going on and will be travelling back and forth between places soon. It's been getting really frustrating to reach the end of a day and realise I barely wrote any words, or none at all, and see how far behind I am, but hearing you talk so honestly about it really helps ❤ glad you had a great time in Vegas, maybe one day I'll get to come out for a conference and meet you!

[@jeanelarson]

Yay, Andrew! Congrats!

[@Laura-ti2tm]

I love you sharing your 'mistakes'. Because the fact that such a successful author that I admire can make mistakes, means that I can reframe my own. Your authenticity encourages all of us ❤

[@cassiemerson7789]

I am definitely going slow. I am wondering if I need to table this idea for a little while. I'm on the third draft but I'm having to force the story in a way that feels like maybe now isn't the time. It feels crappy though to start something else and not get this finished, so I'm waffling a bit trying to figure out what the best thing to do is. 🤷‍♀

[@maryearly3259]

Well then I'm glad that your behind in your writing during this challenge since it means you got your mojo back. Which for us creative types means the whole world to us. Have an awesome time out and make sure to get plenty of rest once you get back home on saturday. Cause we all know your going to hit the ground running come sunday. Thank you for bringing us along on your trip it's awesome to see you so excitied and hear about all of these wonderful people. Some of us don't get out much so this is an awesome little treat. Thank you.

[@MillaSch]

Your work is super important. You are one of the most inspirational people on internet. 😊 I'm glad that you had a great time in Vegas. 🎉

[@KimtheElder]

💜💜 Finished the video. Yay ANDREW!!!!! 🥳🎉👏 And, poor George. :( It is so good to see you so happy and with your mojo back. Safe travels and we will see you when we see you. Family first

[@hollyc6943]

The RDC has been amazing. I went for 25k and I've hit it, in part because the pressure was lifted. I did think about aiming for 30-40k and resetting my goal, but at the moment they would just be words for the sake of words - not necessarily useful. Going to spend a week doing more research and journalling about things that have come up so that any additional words I write between now and the end of the month are useful words driving the plot and character, rather than for the sake of it. So glad you enjoyed Vegas and thank you for taking us a long for a sneak peak :)

[@pattyhopkins5682]

Congrats to Andrew on the spelling bee!! Sorry to hear about your kitchen ceiling and George to the rescue!! You look really happy and that outfit is very pretty.

[@philippawood5047]

Well done, Andrew!! As a writer mom, your heart must be bursting with pride for him. :) So cool to see how revived you seem after filling your cup - I hope you are able to take a slower day when you get home just to keep your momentum going and meet your goals. I always remind myself Donna Tartt releases one book every decade more or less, so if she can take ten years, we can take a bit more time if we need to.

[@CamillaTracy]

I was so excited to see your table so close and am so thrilled to be featured! Thank you for all you do!

[@elizabethw.9042]

Congratulations to Andrew! Thanks for sharing everything Sarra the conference sounds awesome. My life is currently buffering I hope I get some words in this month

[@unm00red]

It’s great to see you so bubbly. 🎉

[@WriterGroupie]

You are so alive in this video. Writing is so solitary that these events give back to us!!

[@elizabethdelafield7533]

Okay, I had a very funny moment-I was slightly distracted during your conversation about the restaurant, and suddenly caught the word “France” and in my head I am like, “Wait, when did she go to Paris???” 😂 Late night KZbin watching is catching up to me.

[@alicewarner9331]

Congrats Andrew! I was gone for a week to visit family. I just got caught up for RDC. Glad you are having so much fun!!

[@Susmita_Sikder]

i had finals so no writing till 14th. so yeah this rough draft challenge is a god send!!

[@LesandaMoore]

Congrats Andrew

[@elizalagonia1049]

I'm enjoying watching you talk through the planning of the serial. I have a serial that is inspired by the TV show Grimm. I'm thought dumping different ideas on the series, but I really want to start focusing on what happens when. And how I'm going to outline it.

[@francineh.7825]

Congratulations Andrew!!

[@msmwriter]

So glad you had a great time at the conference! Congrats to Andrew on his spelling bee win. I'm behind on my word count, but not sweating it. I'm learning to go with the flow, largely due to your pep talks.💙

[@jennye1846]

Having no pressure is better mentally. I've been focus on word count and that sometimes affects the story, so I took that off my plate.

[@andrastetriformis6241]

Great advice to fill your well! ❤

[@milissaellan6805]

I've loved watching your updates, can't wait to see the vlog. But after you've rested! ❤

[@elizalagonia1049]

I'm doing an edit with alpha reader feedback for the 2nd book in my soap series. Yesterday(Thursday) was a good because I went to a writers meet up group at one of the local libraries and I read a flash fiction suit that I wrote towards the middle of COVID and I'd read through it a few times in the last 6 weeks or so to take a break from the edit. People really liked it. They gave me some feedback that I need to clarify what happens during the eclipse, but the character side of it got across, and I love that. It got me excited and reminded me that I am a good writer and early drafts are always a mess.

[@tinaholland835]

I've been eating at the Cafe Americano all week. Very good.

[@tashagaines8458]

So glad you had a great week! Being in that environment is such an exciting forward movement. 😃 I’m reading and researching for my next book, doing RDC in January. 👍🏼

[@PartlySunnyToday]

We don’t often talk about the reality of mothering and creating. So much of our energy is consumed as mothers, and that’s not a betrayal of our families - I’m grateful I was blessed with two kids. Plus, you live with a chronic condition that requires energy to manage and also depletes energy. All mothers of children in the home have fewer index cards in their creative piles for awhile especially if a child has health challenges. Madeliene Albright said, “You can do it all, just not all at the same time.” I used to think as soon as my kids were adults, it would be so much easier. It is, in terms of my literal time demands - but - little people, little problems; big people, big problems is also Very True. Hang in there! We all appreciate you!❤

[@MWinklerBooks]

I'm glad you had so much fun at the conference. It's on my author bucket list to go. I also really appreciate the pep talk. I've been struggling with getting started discovery drafting book 3 of my trilogy, and I keep telling myself the words will come when they're ready, but hearing you say to not give up helps. :) Thank you for always being a positive influence in my writer life.

[@layniestorm]

Huge congrats to Andrew - well done!! 🎉 I did a big huge catchup on words (only doing 30K this month) a few days ago because I knew I wasn't going to be able to write much until after the 22nd. But I'm taking your advice to just focus on the joy of writing and let go of the pressure that I (not anyone else) put on myself. It's been an interesting experience to do that, but I'm finding that I love writing again which has been so great ❤❤

[@IsPharmacologyDifficult]

Enjoying all the updates, I aimed for 50k in RDC - but not yet halfway me too, still keeping spirits high!! Congratulations to Andrew’s🎉🎉🌈🌈❤️❤️

[@tomikodickinson2803]

Your nails are beautiful ❤😊

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you!

[@fralou_sind_kreativ]

Yay, your Mojo is BACK!!! :D About the way to plot a novel from another angle (cliff hangers for example) would be an interesting video, I think. Are there any craft books about that topic? It sounds pretty specific and I love the idea of another route to plotting in general :) Hope you got home safe. Sending much love and creative vibes

[@eeveequeen25]

You may be a bit behind on your challenge goal in terms of words, but sounds like you got super inspired by spending time around your friends and other authors! Keeping that creative flame burning is part of the writing work. It's the journey, not the end goal 🎉 And I'm reading VS now and I'm so glad you took the time the story needed!!!

[@SusiesOnTheScene]

Please share the plotting. As much as you're comfortable with.

[@juliaharte9335]

Yay, well done Andrew!

[@vivikabriar1493]

It sounds like the conference was an absolute blast!! I’m currently slightly behind in my RDC (I’m 35K into my 80K goal) but I feel like catching up is totally doable!! It’s in the very final stages before I self pub. Such a crazy chaotic time!!

[@KaceyEzellWriterLife]

Congrats to Andrew! I'm so glad Author Nation was such a great experience for you. I'm sorry to hear about your ceiling, though. But that, too, will pass. It's temporary. You'll get through it.

[@fantasyafield]

I have been enjoying these videos so much!!! Thank you for sharing your inspiration and energy! You’re giving me so many crystal clear visuals for the milestones I want to hit so I can go to Author Nation next year! 💚 Also, I can’t remember if I just thought this or put it in a comment earlier this week, but if at some point you wanted to make a book or course on serial structure…😍 I would be so interested! (I’m a discovery writer, so I don’t plot, but learning about structure in the abstract helps me so much as I intuit my way through a story! It’s like a subconscious unlock each time!) [also I know you’re so busy and don’t need new things on your plate! But I am so grateful to be learning about serials from you!]

[@EchoLarkAuthor]

SarraCon is a go! xD Woo hoo!

[@JuliaNBlack-kw4iv]

My goal is Sapphire. 25.000 Words and i just need if i remember that correctly 2.000 Words. I achieved 23.000 Words so far. I'm very critical but my inner editor will help me after the Challenge is done. I need maybe 2 more days.

[@ranafawaz1767]

Sarra I have so loved your vlogs from Vegas, so inspiring. My rough draft challenge is going slow too, so far I am on 3379 just shy of 1621 to 5000 words, My target is sapphire too. And I am so hoping to come to Author Nation next year, I wanted to this year but couldn't. Thank you Sarra for sharing. So sorry about your roof I hope all can be fixed before christmas for you.💜😊

[@shanshangalan8074]

I have 13,778 and I am going for 25,000 in the rough draft challenge

[@yestoplans]

Will you be running another RDC in the near future or just annually? November is a difficult month for me when working and with my birthday and Thanksgiving and especially now with chemotherapy. I finally feel well enough to join in but obviously missed the boat…

[@HeartBreathings]

So glad you are feeling better. We will definitely be running them throughout the year. We might do one in January, so stay tuned!

[@as_shewrites]

🍒

[@katendress6142]

Contemplating reducing my goal to 10K, because revisions are (stop me if you've heard this one) taking more time and energy than I thought. But that's okay!

[@sofiepeeters8565]

Don’t feel pressured to buy something for Andrew if it doesn’t feel right to you… Why not just explain that you didn’t find anything that you thought he would like and ask if there is anything he would like to have/buy/do? But if you really don’t want to home without something for Andrew I guess some of his favourite candy might be a good option.

[@QueenViolet]

First comment glad you enjoy it!

[@HeartBreathings]

🙌

[@angelalewis6146]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I would love to do a conference on craft. What are your suggestions.