Learn To Write Like A Full Time Author | My Writing Process

[@bobpage6597]

At first, I thought I was a pantser writer. I started my book, bashed away at it, got to about 52,000 words and hit a wall. Spend the next 5 to 6 weeks trying to get my way forward and couldn't. I realised I simply didn't know where to take it next. I went back to the beginning and started working on my outline. Expanded the story, created new characters, made it deeper. Net result is a much more mature and refined narrative!

[@SethRingWrites]

That's how we learn! I've had to do the same thing.

[@CyberCaliber]

"Not all ideas are good ideas" is so refreshing. I feel like outing is great but after the first discovery draft cause you actually something to work with it. Exploring ideas.

[@DamilolaDove]

As an aspiring writer, i have accepted the offer that writing my first draft will super daunting, even though i faces writer paralysis. i began to use panster then i found myself writing up to 2000 words which was impossible for me to do. Thank you Seth 😊💯

[@SethRingWrites]

glad its helpful!

[@tingtaiji]

This is sooo helpful. Just binged your series (partly because I’m procrastinating writing mine), and now I get some much needed assistance.

[@SethRingWrites]

Awesome!

[@Gamerprodig3333]

Seth, you have the greatest writing ability for a litRPG author, making an absolutely OP mc and still challenge them and still making a compelling story for the reader. Looking forward to your stream on Monday 🎉🎉🎉

[@SethRingWrites]

Can't wait to get back to writing!

[@marcusappelberg369]

As an author myself this was interesting. I also saw myself more as a pantser before I actually started outlining, and now I always outline. And then stuff hapoens that surprizes even me. 😅

[@SethRingWrites]

Finding the right balance between plotting and pantsing seems to be key.

[@WorkWisdomWonder]

Seth! First, great to meet you at RM24. Second, this was awesome to see and hear your process. Also, if you do want to try another dev edit like you were saying, please reach out, I'd love to help!

[@SethRingWrites]

Great to meet you too! Its always nice to connect with fellow writers.

[@sandbagger1912]

My creative process begins with daydreaming, usually about the first scene and the major characters. Once I have that down and it feels like it has legs, I'm off to the races. For my first two novels (what started as a standalone and has now become two-thirds of a trilogy), I wrote something like a synopsis. I was able to do this because I knew how both would end-. Once the writing began, neither novel completely followed the outline. Discovery writing took over. My third novel (a true standalone) was written wholly in a discovery way. Each day before I started writing, I would go back over what I had written and filled in holes and even added chapters. I did not know how the book would end until I was halfway through the writing. Kind of like an epiphany. Once I had a first draft, I rewrote and rewrote, honing the text, smoothing out the pacing, building in some additional plot points. Truely let the story unfold on its own. So, if I have any sort of roadmap, it is at the 70-thousand-foot level. Writing at the ground level is done by the seat of my pants, feeling my way through a chapter, paying attention to events unfolding and where my characters want to go. It is more instinctual than intellectual. After a chapter is finished, I often take a break for more daydreaming and cogitating on where to go next. After a day or two, I'm back at it. By the final third of the book, I can begin to see the end and the writing pace speeds up.

[@SethRingWrites]

I love discovery writing. There is something so satisfying about it.

[@gingeworkshop]

This video was extremely eye opening. I had a less specific outline (only bullet points) but I believe your method is far superior. Thanks for the idea :)

[@SethRingWrites]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@joshuarussell8247]

This is gold information, absolutely perfect, I needed this video right now, I am truly thankful.

[@SethRingWrites]

So glad its helpful!

[@AA18F]

Great advice here Seth :) I try to do a lot of SPOOC's and see if they work :)

[@SethRingWrites]

Let me know if they do.

[@stephenlogsdon8266]

All ideas are bad ideas, if executed poorly. I also find the more I write, and I’m also a pantser, the more ideas come along.

[@PanHaszaman]

Bro says he's a pantser, proceeds to explain his outlining method, sums it up with comment "because I'm such a pantser" I'm crying 🤣

[@SethRingWrites]

lol, I don't follow my outlines. I just write them.

[@PanHaszaman]

@@SethRingWriteswhich is the exact process of a planner xD You write that shit just to throw the garbage out of your system and then write something completely new. That's the main difference between pantsers and planners. While pantsers write and throw away first draft, planners outline and throw their outline.

[@PC-vp2cg]

​@@PanHaszaman This is just a ridiculous way of defining these terms. You are just describing two pantsers

[@stephenlogsdon8266]

I like multiple POVs, and I don’t write chapters, I write what these PoVs do. Later, once I’m done, I’ll stitch it together into an organized book with chapters,and sub-chapters. What’s great about this, I can write from a POV I’m in the mood to do.

[@SethRingWrites]

That's facinating. I don't really like multiple PoV when reading, but I certainly see the attractiveness as a writer.

[@stephenlogsdon8266]

@@SethRingWrites the other benefit is to the reader, which will help you sell books. If say, a reader doesn’t like all the POVs, or doesn’t like the single one you’ve written, they may like others’, and maybe they still like the book. Multiple POV’s also give you the option for cliff-hangers in the middle of the book. While I, personally don’t like them, since if I’m enjoying a book and since I’m invested already, I don’t need that feeble attempt at keeping me (as the reader) turning the pages. But I know other readers love them. It’s just another tool I use to manipulate the hell out of the reader. Cue up the evil laughing in the background!

[@garrettjensen5939]

What is the reason for 47 chapters at 2,500 words? Is that your recommended length for litrpg?

[@SethRingWrites]

No, that's just what I've optimized for. Its really pretty arbitrary. Write what feels right to you.

[@LetitiaTopp]

Hi Seth, do you do any series planning at all? Do you generally know how many books a series will have when you do that first 47 chapter sketch?

[@SethRingWrites]

Yes, I do. I'm always keeping in mind where I am in the series, and where the overall story flow is headed. In a way, I treat each book as a macro chapter in the overall story.

[@XxSEETH3RxX]

Im not even sure I could write a book. I've written screenplays, but I have a few ideas that would fit more into a novel.

[@SethRingWrites]

You should try it. I run writing sprints during the weekdays and you can write along with me.

[@XxSEETH3RxX]

@@SethRingWrites That sounds interesting. I'll certainly give it a try.

[@williamsampson4926]

I'm a pantser. I get a idea and I sit down and write it. I write 4000 word chapters and give them random names and then write down what I think is going to happen and then I just write. Hit 4000 words and then the next chapter and so on and so forth. Sure I can change the chapters and break them up later. I never know where the story is going to go or take me but it just does. If it's a romance or something like that then it's easier to know what is going to happen is easier. If it's sci fi or fantasy then I'm clueless

[@SethRingWrites]

Do you plot at all?

[@williamsampson4926]

@@SethRingWrites well it's like I get an idea it's as if someone is whispering in my ear. So I come up with names for characters in Scrivner and the place that it takes place (takes a few minutes) then I sit down and write. I have no idea where I'm going it's as if someone guides the story so zero plotting. I can do a novel a month or so first draft but they tend to double in size when I do rewrites which I tend to not do to often do to weak grammer skills so on to the nex.

[@jimmyrolls37]

I try to outline, I am awful at it. Back in high school drama, I was awful at lines. I was much better at improvising the general scene. It felt organic for me. My writing is much better when I think on a few snippets snd free write it from there, rather than sit down trying to perfectly produce a chapter based on am outline. Once I naturally tie the threads, it all comes together and I have a scene or chapter I am happy with to join the others. Then I move on. When I try to strictly outline, o find myself feeling stuck and bound, and I wind up restarting over snd over in circles. Plotting heavily works for many people. Not for all people. If you are a Panszer writer, don't fret. Just go with your flow

[@williamsampson4926]

@@jimmyrolls37 I keep going over the story in my head all day and then I just have to write it down to get it out of my head lol :)

[@seanmurphy7011]

Why are all these bottom-tier, hack writing advice channels all the same? I knew without looking that his novels would be trash sci-fi/fantasy with dime-store cover art. These people are Dunning-Krueger incarnate.

[@SethRingWrites]

🤣

[@slimbo7858]

Is it trash fantasy and science fiction or are you saying all fantasy and science fiction is trash? But the Kurt Vonneguit Jr. Stuff isn't included because it's classical literature.

[@slimbo7858]

I am interested in reading some of your stories aloud.

[@slimbo7858]

What if you are an example of dunning Krueger effect. How would you even know? Seriously how would you know?

[@slimbo7858]

It's a fancy ad hominum that you hope disarms good natured people who will feel insecure if their unfamiliar with the concept.

[@Greatermaxim]

This put me to sleep.

[@SethRingWrites]

🤔Maybe being an author isn't for you?