Answering your questions about plotting, editing, and other writer stuff

I originally wanted to make a fun video in honor of May 23rd but I ended up not having much time to film that day, so thank you to everyone who commented questions on my community post! You guys seriously saved me.
Hopefully this video is helpful for all the writers out there! Keep in mind that everyone has different plotting, writing, and editing styles, so always do whatever works best for you ;)
ABOUT MY DEBUT NOVEL
My debut novel "Leaving Wishville" is a 2021 Readers' Favorite Bronze Metalist. The story follows fourteen-year-old Benji Marino as he plans to escape from his small, dreary town. With time against him, leaving Wishville might be his only chance for freedom-but it may also cost him his life. Learn more: www.lostisland...
CONNECT
Instagram: / meltorrefranca
Website: meltorrefranca.com
Email: [e-mail]
GEAR • kit.co/meltorr...
WRITING SOFTWARE • www.literature...
MUSIC
Perilune by AERØHEAD / aerohead
Afternoon Nap by Ghostrifter Official / ghostrifter-official
Note: the description may contain affiliate links, but if you choose to purchase through them, it costs you nothing extra. The proceeds help support this channel and are much appreciated! :)
Current subscribers: 1.6K

[@mohammedchinwala3822]

i actually took two months writing 120 pages and completed

[@thebeginningfilm6389]

It took me a full year writing a 66 paged book

[@meh9306]

Well, as surprising as it sounds, the time it takes people to write doesn’t depends on the amount of pages they’re aiming for.

[@kizueru555]

*Me watching this while trying to plan out characters for my own story* This was an extremely helpful video, thank you very much! I haven’t read Leaving Wishville yet, but I definitely want to get my hands on it, it sounds amazing!

[@MelTorrefranca]

Thank you! I’m glad it was helpful

[@beththornton]

isabella hi

[@v0llk0rnbr0t20]

I’m also a teen writer and your channel has helped me so much! Your so inspiring! This is amazing advice, so thank you so much!! ❤️

[@MelTorrefranca]

Happy to help :)

[@artgoing]

I know this was a year ago but I just want to say you are my inspiration to write my own novel. Currently, it lays at 9,796 words and my goal is to get to 50,000 by the time my birthday arrives (June 14). Hearing your experience as a teen writer makes me realize that it is possible. I'm 17 currently, will be 18 here soon. I've written stories for as long as I can remember, and I'm excited to actually make my own story come to life. Thank you so much for inspiring me!

[@MelTorrefranca]

So happy to hear that! Keep it up

[@artgoing]

@@MelTorrefranca Thank you so much! That means a lot to me!

[@forthecool]

Update?

[@artgoing]

@@forthecool I finished in August but I haven’t gotten around to publishing. but I’ve started my next novel! It’s 40,000 words long/164 pages!

[@rupshrisureka]

@@artgoing What's the name of that novel? Would love to read it if it's published.

[@justluc8556]

3:45 MEL I AM DYING HAHAHAHHAHA. ALSO UR DRAWING AHHH. I AM GLAD KOI FISH GOT SOME REP.

[@c.c2166]

HI MEL! I read your book, Leaving Wishville, and it was really cool. It reminded me a lot of my own writing for some reason, idk. You did an amazing job. Congrats on your success. ❤️

[@MelTorrefranca]

Ahh yay!!! Thank you, I’m so glad you liked it! Please leave a review if you get the chance ;)

[@sriranjit3684]

May 23rd is my Birthday, since 2002 Being 2K Kid 🔥💥

[@naomikenyon02]

YES!! Another author who has little to no plot plans, and just jumps in with two feet!!!!! I always feel like I should be organized, because all these other authors are, but writing as I go works for me!

[@MelTorrefranca]

Yess!! High-five to the fellow pantser!

[@leonmayne797]

Me too! And that comment about developing ideas in your head and never writing them down really resonated with me.

[@AvaSantaAna]

I love how we’re such different people but your videos are just so fascinating to me like I could listen to you talk all day ❤️❤️

[@MelTorrefranca]

Same to u dude!! Ur videos are a completely different vibe and I love it

[@NathaniaDemecillo]

You really got me when you said that James turns into a koi fish and gets eaten by a shark lol.

[@h.r.lock-authorandreader9842]

I haven't read Leaving Wishville yet (I'm going to this august), but I am really inspired by your work. I'm currently worried about falling down the same path you did with The Sky Weeps With Us. It's extremely stressful writing the first draft as a twelve-year-old, but I'm going to do several drafts, attempt to get an editor, and use your tips during the process of writing it! You're amazing and I can't wait to read your book!

[@MelTorrefranca]

Thank you so much! I think you're taking great steps to make sure you publish the right way. Good luck :)

[@abbeysaccount620]

Helpful and great! I saw this in my notifications and I wanted to scream out of excitement!!!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@pandorasbox1922]

Thank you so much for answering my question! After couple of days of posting my question I actually got an Instagram recently and followed you then that's when I knew you had a publishing company. Oh well... I should've knew sooner. Though thank you so much again! P.S: You nailed the koi fish

[@MelTorrefranca]

Haha thank you! And no problem ;)

[@previouslyonx-men]

You say you are not an artest, yet that drawing looked amazing! Artest approved.

[@MelTorrefranca]

Thank u thank u XD

[@previouslyonx-men]

@@MelTorrefranca You are welcome!

[@Ghostface_lover1]

I love the avatar koi fish. also my book is really coming along. and I can't wait for the next video.

[@sashbash]

I've started writing my own story but I'm not sure how big the font should be? What font size did you use? I feel like 11/12 is too small but 19 is too big? I use google docs if that helps.

[@vxn1llaxs]

I use that to i use 14

[@MelTorrefranca]

You can always change the font later, so work with whatever size font you’re comfortable with

[@sasmitasatapathy9645]

Hey there! I am from India but I make sure that I never miss any of your videos. But, what do you think of writing contemporary? How do you compare fiction and contemporary? Also, how did you come up with the dialogues and make them realistic? Finally, Thank you so much for helping us write better. XOXO Srividya

[@MelTorrefranca]

By contemporary are you talking about realistic fiction? I usually try to speak dialogue out loud while editing to make sure it sounds natural ;) thanks for watching!

[@sasmitasatapathy9645]

@@MelTorrefranca Yeah, I meant realistic fiction. BTW, thanks for answering.

[@AnimetionStation_]

I really enjoy this channel

[@beththornton]

What is your favourite book

[@MelTorrefranca]

Haha I couldn’t possibly choose!

[@beththornton]

Ok 👌🏽

[@BEN-GX]

ok, i honestly regret missing the opportunity to ask you.... I kinda have many questions... hope you do more of these vids soon..... Ps. that was a very nice drawing by the way.

[@MelTorrefranca]

I might! And thank u!

[@vxn1llaxs]

Can you make a video on how to write a book? im 10 and im writing a chapter book. Would love some tips. I dont know what to wright. I have no ideas.

[@MelTorrefranca]

Hi! I made a video with my top 7 tips. Hopefully you can get some ideas there!

[@vxn1llaxs]

@@MelTorrefranca Thanks. I JUst finished wrighting my book. I watched the video half way though it really helped. The book is called huskies clothing :D

[@mayaerinakan8132]

I feel like ı am not ready for writing a book. So ı am writing stories and keeping a journal. Did it help you to become a better writer or have you ever kept journals?

[@MelTorrefranca]

I don’t think you have to be ready to write a book. I have journaled before, but I’m not sure how much of an impact it had on my writing. It’s probably different for everyone, though.

[@biancahamel7082]

When you write your books do you get them copyrighted?

[@MelTorrefranca]

I filed for it with the US Copyright Office

[@bluemacaroons]

Hi! That’s really cool u wrote a book I’m going to see if I can buy it! What is Leaving Wishvilles genre? And what other genres do you like? I have a bunch of book drafts but I haven’t finished any of them😂 apart from these tiny kids books I wrote like a month ago

[@MelTorrefranca]

LEAVING WISHVILLE is magical realism. I also really like mystery, the occasionally sci-fi, and of course nonfiction genres too :)

[@insideoutpodcastonspotify5307]

how do u find a cheap traditional publishing route?

[@aidanjones5862]

No way we have the same picture lmao

[@insideoutpodcastonspotify5307]

Aidan Jones lol

[@sulkydelic]

i just discovered your channel and i'm glad i did (: subscribed!

[@MelTorrefranca]

Thank you!

[@amam7490]

Can someone please explain what beta reading is

[@grey7153]

I thought it was spoused to be free to publish? Like the publisher makes money when you do?

[@MelTorrefranca]

I self-published!

[@rabbittherandomest848]

how do you balance your time? don't you have homework? I do and I can't find time to write

[@MelTorrefranca]

While I was in school I started to wake up early and write in the mornings. This helped so that I could focus on homework later in the day.

[@previouslyonx-men]

You are so pretty!

[@MelTorrefranca]

Aw thank you!

[@anoneemuss930]

Hullo Mel, Can you please tell me: How do you find Beta readers or like can you explain what is a Beta Reader and how to find them or pay them or anything close to it? I'm sorry if this makes no sense because it felt like a great question in my head but now that I'm typing this...I'm beginning to question my question. And How do you improve your dialogue? like I'm writing about God and how he fell and his son took over to become the Old Testament God and etc. and my dialogue is so horrible, its just plain old-cardboard characters can you please tell us (because I'm sure I'm not the only one with the question, right?) how to IMPROVE dialogue or come up with a specific voice for characters ? I did research on this (googled it, watched some videos) and almost all the results suggested to go out more and listen to other peoples' conversation and it'll kind of develop on its own. But you know, Its CORONAVIRUS! (highly appreciated if this got added to your next video and not replied here in the comments) P.S Please do P.S Thank You P.S Very Good drawing, what do you mean that 'you are not an artist?' Sincerely, -Bod,

[@mercury4104]

very random point- but you talk like timothee chalamet. especially at minute 4:46

[@claybornes3967]

Who else thinks they need Leaving Wishville after watching this vid or else they'll die? No just me?

[@riella5883]

Cebuana? Gosh, you can understand bisaya?