Most Writers Don't Use These Tricks--Here's Why You Should!

[@crowla]

The algorithm sent me one of your videos and I was immediately inspired by how concrete and practical your suggestions are. I binged a few more of your videos before you made the comment in this one about "reaching more writers," which made me look at the view count. I'd expected hundreds of thousands of views because the information in it is so valuable. What a shock! You are so criminally underrated! Thank you so much for sharing your craft. I can't wait to enjoy the rest of your content.

[@janekalmes]

Thank you so much! I’m really glad that you’re enjoying the videos and finding them helpful! I am always hoping to reach more people; if you want to help, the best thing you can do is just share on social media. Thanks so much for your kind words; they mean a great deal to me.

[@kreokareo8190]

I agree 100% with the comment I could write again this same. Your videos are superhelpful! I wish you at least a few more zeros of followers number. 🥳✨️🦋

[@kittisoos]

My thoughts exactly, amazing content. Deserves way more attention.

[@caelamythweir1633]

I have been doing and thinking the same thing - I've found my people! Shockingly underrated, I am really disappointed in myself I don't have more of a social media presence so I can share these videos. I don't even write cosy mystery but these videos are gold no matter what genre, and I am binging hard. I hope that liking every video does something because I REALLY like every video! I would happily direct any writer here, I'm so happy I found this channel!

[@cressidaclarence7420]

I’m going to have to watch this. Second time and take some notes, this is going to be gold for helping me plan my revisions. I did not do enough planning before writing my messy first draft.

[@janekalmes]

I'm so glad you find this helpful!

[@dragonchr15]

That Scene partner table is a great idea to ratchet up the tension with each interaction. It's how people keep reading

[@janekalmes]

Thanks so much!

[@bignapolean3068]

How do you keep all of this in mind, while writing?

[@doofy67]

your content is the best! Your channel helped me so much it's actually insane :)

[@janekalmes]

So glad to hear it!

[@GUTOG]

Thank you for the insights -- the Kalmecation, so to speak. I need that scene planner sheet! Having even half your narrative creativity would be a big happy bonus.

[@janekalmes]

Don't run yourself down, Anthony! I’m not the only one who believes in you.

[@coreyh1956]

Another excellent video. Ty 😊

[@janekalmes]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@KristyBryson]

I swear, I sit down to rewatch one of your videos, begin to take notes, then end up typing everything you say word for word because it is GOLD. Any video, precious content.

[@janekalmes]

You’re so kind, Kristy! I’m glad you’re getting so much out of them!

[@felicebritton8881]

You are a great teacher and writer. Your ideas flow very well. Thanks for the inspiration 🧐

[@janekalmes]

Thank you so much, Felice!

[@Wrenluvskitties]

This video is incredible. I have never seen someone do a video on this, even though it’s so needed! ❤ Thank you!

[@janekalmes]

You pure so welcome!

[@kenward1310]

A lot of useful information in this video. Thank you. You've helped me figure out a better way to plan my scenes. Makes the entire process less daunting. Cheers.

[@janekalmes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@blume6546]

Another great one. love these tips!

[@janekalmes]

Glad you like it, Evan!

[@rdqnev]

Just found your channel through your video about Death on the Nile. Incidentally, I’m writing a murder mystery-centered plot for a tabletop RPG with my friends, so your analyses of the mystery genre and advice on going about using its tropes is *very* useful to me! Thank you!

[@janekalmes]

Awesome! I get comments like these more often than you might think, and I always think it’s so cool!

[@aix83]

This is such a great video I'm sorry I can't like it twice.

[@nicoleporter1369]

I love the consequences idea. Its really clever, and has given me things to think about for my own book outline. Thanks again for all your wonderful insight!

[@janekalmes]

You’re so welcome!

[@britishcrimewriter-LeeWood]

How To Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat. Out of the 435 Craft of Writing books in my library, this is in my top 3. It is a book EVERY cozy/mystery author should own a copy of (in my opinion).

[@janekalmes]

I love it too!

[@haleymist09]

@British Crime Writer What are your other 1 and 2 craft books? ☺

[@taiems]

Thank you so much. That was super helpful. I've watched some of your videos and I'm hook, the chronic and acute problems were game changing for me, and this one as well. Thanks!

[@janekalmes]

Wow, that’s so great to hear! Thank you!

[@blueyl4219]

When writing a supernatural mystery, or one set in a fantasy world, is it important to have the fantasy elements involved in solving the crime? Would it feel disappointing if the investigative elements and clues and stuff are pretty much like they are in the real world?

[@Priscilla_Bettis]

Fabulous, informative video, thank you!

[@janekalmes]

You’re so welcome!

[@smeastwest]

That was awesome! I just so happen to be writing a scene I know I need to have, but I couldn't figure out why. Totally backwards, I know. The grid of "Yes, but..." and "No, and furthermore..." was so helpful. I'm going to use it for other scenes when I struggle with being interested in writing them. Thank you!

[@janekalmes]

Glad it was helpful!

[@haleymist09]

This is truly helpful! I'm writing my first novel, so yes, it's all talkiing heads, lol. My outline got me to almost 20k words - which I'm super proud of - so now I'm going back and kind of outlining/discovering writing. It's a way to learn and recover from perfectionism! Thanks for the help!

[@janekalmes]

You should be proud! I’m so glad you found the video helpful!

[@victorcobane6644]

This is really awesome. ln many of the things I've written, I have fallen far far FAR too deep into talking head syndrome, sometimes with entire "chapters" just being one long conversation where everyone gets up to speed and discovers new information. I'm gonna try some of these strategies out to make the dialogue scenes at least more visually engaging dialogue scenes, if I can't find a way to avoid them altogether.

[@janekalmes]

Yay!

[@Avionne_Parris]

Jane, I will never plot my scenes another way again! So many gems in this video and yes, hate revisions with the passion of 1000 suns! Gonna rewatch this later with a pen and a pad. Also, the social security site for a name bank is absolute gold :-)

[@janekalmes]

So glad you liked it!

[@Lectoracitónica]

This example is pretty similar to a story I read years ago! It was a female ghost "stalking" a boy xD She was actually trying to get his help, and he didn't want to get involve with a ghost at the beginning. And in this case, she didn't remember how she died. She forgot due to the trauma, I think.

[@janekalmes]

I guess great minds think alike! 😊

[@noncsimiklos1832]

Hi Jane! Great video as always! You helped me a lot trying to figure out my book. I just have one question. I am writing a cozy with two protagonists who will solve the murder together (both amateur) do you have some tips how to balance two protagonists? I don't want to pick a main main character, and I want both of them to be important. But one of them will be good at looking at the small details, the other more social and adventureous.

[@janekalmes]

Glad you liked it! I haven’t really thought about that topic before, but off the top of my head, in addition to giving them both equal “screen time,” I’d also want to make sure both sleuths were taking risks, making decisions, coming up with clever realizations, and that if one of them gets a character arc, they both do.

[@JoleCannon]

Dialogue with activity is my struggle. I have three pages of dialogue and trying to figure out how to give them something to do.

[@janekalmes]

It can be really tough!

[@TheJadedFilmMaker]

Hi Jane 👋 is not wanting to confront the past or remember the past a strong enough chronic problem for my protagonist?

[@janekalmes]

Yeah, I think absolutely! I could see a really intriguing Acute Issue that forces him to deal with whatever happened in his past.

[@TheJadedFilmMaker]

@@janekalmes ❤❤❤

[@davemcveigh3996]

Wow. You’re good!

[@janekalmes]

Thank you so much!

[@davemcveigh3996]

@@janekalmes Very practical stuff and got me moving better than tire chains in the Rockies!

[@amandabarrows6066]

Your videos are always awesome! I was wondering if you could give me any tips... I am working on my second mystery. I don't like to start a book with the whole murder planned out because I get bored, but now I'm 70 pages in and struggling to choose a murderer. Any advice for finding a balance between too much planning and no planning?

[@janekalmes]

So, this is going to be largely based on what works FOR ME, and that may not be exactly what’s right for your process. but here are my thoughts: I love planning, and in future I want to balance more toward planning and less toward free writing. However, when I do feel the need to do a little exploratory writing, inventing things as I go, I like to limit it. No more than 50 pages of this (for me). Then I stop, regroup, and plan. Another possibility would be to decide on the murderer right up front-BUT be open to change if you think up something cool while writing. This was what happened with my first book, The Black Rose Murders, and it led to the book's best twist. Hope this helps, and god luck with your book!

[@amandabarrows6066]

@@janekalmes That makes a lot of sense, thanks so much!

[@poewells]

most of my writing turns into short stories would this work well for them or would it need to be tweaked?

[@janekalmes]

Should work just fine as is!

[@TheJadedFilmMaker]

💯❤

[@janekalmes]

Thanks!

[@hideoussails1783]

❤❤