No BS Strategy to Write a Book FAST | Tips for NaNoWriMo

[@MelTorrefranca]

To clarify, this video is about the fast-drafting method, which focuses on quantity over quality for the FIRST DRAFT. Editing is where focused intention comes in to make the story shine. This method is not the only way to write. Do what works for you.

[@milicadiy]

This is my first time doing Nanowrimo. I wrote 11,707 words in the first four days, but I didn't write at all for the next two days, and I've yet to write today, but this video was really helpful and motivating, and it really made me believe in myself. Thank you for everything, and have a nice day.

[@MelTorrefranca]

So glad to hear it. Good luck!!

[@milicadiy]

@@MelTorrefranca Thank you.

[@Ihatethism]

@@milicadiy what your story about?

[@milicadiy]

@@Ihatethism Oh, thanks for asking. It's about a girl in a fictional small town ridden with poverty who dreams of becoming a dancer but is ridiculed for her interests by everyone around her, even her boyfriend. The only ones supporting her are her parents, with whom she dances every night, but they die in a fire (and it's more than just a random fire). She resorts to dancing in the woods. The vampire prince sees her one night and falls for her instantly, beginning to stalk her, wanting her as his bride. It soon becomes something more, and the girl makes a choice that will change her life forever. Most of the book is focused on the aftermath of that choice.

[@Ihatethism]

@@milicadiy ooo sounds interesting if you publish it ill try to get it!

[@riverbright]

Not doing NaNoWriMo right now, but these are excellent tips! A couple general additions to Mel's advice: 1) If you struggle with figuring out what comes next in the book, having a vague outline can be helpful. It doesn't have to describe every scene in the story, just bare bones so you know which direction you're heading. And if you end up diverging from the outline, that's fine, too! 2) You don't have to write chronologically. If you're spending all your time trying to find a way to get from scene A to scene B, just write scene B first and fill in the blanks later. 3) If you find yourself losing steam, try thinking about a scene you're really excited to write and work your way toward that -- even if everything leading up to that scene is terrible first draft writing. Just write first and edit later :D Ultimately, find what works for you and stick to it until it doesn't!

[@MelTorrefranca]

Amazing tips, thanks for sharing :)

[@jevinlauver5722]

Just had a really weird dream the other night and I’m thinking about taking a stab at writing it into a narrative when I have more time. Thanks for uploading this video! It’s great to hear advice from someone with so much experience.

[@MelTorrefranca]

Sounds like a sign. Best of luck!!

[@mariageorgieva5418]

This is an amazing video. Thanks. I am currently writing and I've been very motivated and I stick to it everyday. But I need to watch a few videos about writing so it makes me feel better.

[@jaki645]

Thank you so much for this video mel! I really needed this. I can say that I'm ready to start writing again after not writing for a while. have a nice day!

[@nandikarajaram]

Hi Mel! I love writing so much, and I have a 114 pages down so far for a novel I’m thinking of publishing! This video really helps because I’ve been writing for over a year and I should be done with actually writing the story by now, but life happened. 😅 I’m a young person, and I was wondering how do I make sure that my story is good and not really confusing to follow? I have a few friends as beta readers and I’m planning to show a few writers and my English teacher, but I’m really scared to take that step. I’m not scared of criticism, but I’m TERRIFIED of them saying that it’s just not good, and it can’t be saved. I guess I’m mostly just scared because of my age, and people my age are famous for writing terribly. 😂 How do I get over that fear? My teachers say that my reading is at a high level and my writing is great for my age, and my parents have more faith in my writing talent than they have faith in god. 😅 The nervousness is so bad that sometimes I just can’t bring myself to write, but it’s a huge dream of mine.

[@MelTorrefranca]

I'm sorry you're struggling with this! Beta reading sounds like a great next step. I see why you'd be scared of receiving negative feedback on your work, but criticism does not equal failure. Know that nothing is "unfixable" and that being able to identify issues with your story and writing style is the only way you can fix them and improve your work. I've found that sharing my early drafts, although scary at first, helps me improve my confidence in the long run. Who cares what the reputation is for young writers? Don't let external fears stop you from writing the best story you can.

[@Interntgf]

Tysm for making this video. I'm trying to improve my English so I can write some amazing books.

[@Urizen61]

Have you read John Gardner's "Art of Fiction" or "On Becoming a Novelist"? If not, I highly recommend them.

[@notaninfodump5929]

Thank you so much for this. I'm a few thousand words behind and I've hit a point in my writing where I'm starting to hate my writing (because I like to edit as I go) so I am feeling really anxious about it so this video is calming my nerves.

[@graysontaylornyc]

Thanks for the helpful tips! Writing fast isn’t my forte, but I’m trying to get better at it.

[@billyalarie929]

couple things: 1) i've been following you for a few years, and your advice has always been on point. this has continued up to the point in this video. thanks for staying true. 2) YOUR HAIRCUT IS SO GOOD. 3) stupid observation, but have you ever cursed in a video before!? you probably have, this is probably truly dumb, i apologize. thanks, Mel.

[@MelTorrefranca]

Thank you for watching! And haha i can't remember if I have or not

[@akarili9280]

Thanks for the advice Mel. I really need to get back to writing after my long writing block. This is help me get back into writing. Congrats 🎊 on 50k btw.

[@MelTorrefranca]

Awesome!! And thank you!

[@gabriellakuhn5961]

This was posted right when I needed it. I’m getting ready to fast draft my next book and was looking for some tips on fast drafting. Thanks Mel! 😊

[@cecemozz]

Hi Mel! Currently, I am not participating for NanoWriMo. I have so much going on in my schedule, I simply can't. I'm working on my first novel (and I also completely forgot it was this month)! It's about marching band as well as other slice-of-life elements. I started in May and I'm almost at the halfway point. I'm excited because this was a really fun concept for me and I'm glad I'm continuing to write it to this day. I wrote 1400+ words one day this week and it was a huge accomplishment for me. Thanks for being an inspiration for me and helping me change my mindset as a fellow young author! Good luck on your success for Belladonna! Love your soundtracks so much.

[@michellecornum5856]

Currently working on a book I roughed our a few years ago, and started decades back. My biggest problem is that I can't find my original notes, so, everyday, my goal is to write SOMETHING about this story, even if it's only a hundred words.

[@henrydavis3798]

Thank you for doing this. I am doing nanowrimo this year and making good progress. I would like to add one thing to your list. If you are like me as you are writing you may realize you need to change something you have written. For example when writing my first novel I realized that Ineeded to change the backstory of a secondary character that I had given early in the novel when I was 3/4 the way through. I am maintaining an author’s notes section at the end of the novel. When I realize that I need to change something I have written I just make an entry in the author’s notes section and move on unless it is really major. This way i will fix the problem when I am editing.

[@sandbagger1912]

Great suggestions and ones I try (but sometimes fail) to abide by, even though I don't do NaNoWriMo. I especially like number 5. Just get something on paper. Don't let perfection get in the way of the good enough. You will be going back anyway to polish and pretty it up. May even dump it, but if it gets you into the process of writing, even if it ends up in the trash bin, it was worth it.

[@MelTorrefranca]

Completely agree! Even if you trash it, you know what doesn't work and get some practice in. Glad to know these guidelines work for you too!

[@strawberrymilk2987]

"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story" Terry pratchett

[@julluxpaudios]

i am so grateful that you posted this video. For countless months I've been trying to find tips and helpful advice to help me grow as a young writer. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the exact advice I wanted. But this video literally had all the answers I needed. I struggle with having a good mindset when I comes to writing and was never really sure of how to fix it. I always question whether I could actually complete a book and/or whether I could complete such a big task. But these tips made so much sense and I know that it's going to help me when it comes to upcoming writing sessions. thank you so much mel

[@MelTorrefranca]

You are so welcome!! All the best :))

[@lukeveldkamp4516]

I'm not doing NaNoWriMo but I know someone who is so I'll share this with her. I finally put down theories on the rest of those songs that you released. Sorry it took so long. This video was great and I'll try to use some of the advice with my book. Just hit 20, 000 words and 50 pages on Saturday, so I'm really pumped for this week.

[@MelTorrefranca]

Will check those out haha, congrats on 20K!

[@Tsega9014]

Thank you for the tips

[@milenamendoza7646]

Oh my god, a song for journaling introduced me here and then i found this video. Perhaps this is a signal to start writing my first book. Thank you Mel :)

[@MelTorrefranca]

Glad to hear it! Best of luck :)

[@yaolinn]

I know this is not a topic of this film, but you look absolutely gorgerous

[@rahulpal2490]

One work is on hiatus as i really don't have a solid foundation for that one. Currently working on 2nd one which is called first five flames.

[@strawberrymilk2987]

Thanks for the advice! I hope writing going good for you. Its okay for me. Nanowrimo in hard😪but I'm making it!

[@starrynightfall00]

This is one of the best writing motivation videos I've come across. Thank you!😊

[@spicee21]

Ohhhh yeah... New tips, Led goooo!

[@deku._54848]

Truly thank you soooo much ✨🤧 11:17 💖

[@writeright447]

Hey, quick question, but what websites do you use to track your word goal and whatnot? I've heard nanowrimo does that, but are there any other ones you'd recommend?

[@MelTorrefranca]

I always use nanowrimo's tracking feature, works great :)

[@writeright447]

@@MelTorrefranca Thank you!

[@lexigrace824]

wow, these are some good tips! thank you for sharing!

[@bluemacaroons]

U just uncovered what I’ve been hiding at the back of my mind all this time 😂 tbh it makes sense but u have to be very diligent for it to work

[@Tchootch]

Last year for NaNoWriMo, I wrote 10,877 words. This year, today, I have surpassed that.

[@MelTorrefranca]

Amazing, congrats!

[@ri0t969]

Ngl this advice can really fit well with anyone’s life,it’s very wise advice to say the least

[@pixie-bo6wi]

You're so write, I think conscious writing is so much more important than blind drafting...sure I do the latter as well but there's gotta be a moment where you hold the reigns and make conscious choices.

[@forthecool]

Did you just say your so write? That’s not very punny.

[@kassiespookyandinteresting2327]

Hey im 14 and writing a book that i think is going to be really good, but i wanted to know if you think people would take me seriously at 14. It has a pretty good plot, its in the Horror Genre and I have been writing horror sense i think, 2018. But im nervous that when i finish it and publish it that no one will like it and/or not take it seriously because im 14 sorry for rambling hopefully it makes sense.

[@badreader__]

This is just good life advice 👏🏼

[@English_by_rawan]

Heyy mel as a small writer idk anything about the steps of writing like can i take my freedom while writing or not and how i can publish it

[@____uncompetative]

Shouldn't this have come out in August, ahead of Nanowrimo's guidelines to start preparation in September ahead of actualy day to day prose and dialogue writing in November?

[@lumikho6522]

I heard about nanowrimo yesterday and i'm so sad because I want to do it but I wanted to rest from inktober this month ;;

[@MelTorrefranca]

You can still use their website tracking feature any time of the year to set your own timed challenge, highly recommend it!

[@lumikho6522]

@@MelTorrefranca ohh thank you for the tip ! 🥰

[@____uncompetative]

Next year start in September. That's what their website says. November is for prose and dialogue. You are supposed to have already decided on idea, genre, theme, plot outline and all of your characters and their backstories, and any historical or fantasy or sci-fi lore context you need to have prepared, such as a map for your heroes to walk across to get rid of a ring.

[@lumikho6522]

@@____uncompetative wait so you have to add that the heroes are getting rid of a ring ? x) well nevermind, I just wanted to use that month to motive me to finish the first draft I'm working on anyway. Thanks for the details !

[@Amaan17821]

Anyways I was trying out a hobbie of trying out writing a book, while I watched that video, it was the tough love that makes me want to stop. I have autism by the way and I worry about these sort of things

[@Vvvvvvvvvssssssssssssss]

I love your videos!!!

[@Chavacano]

gurl last time i saw you, you had long hair........ what happened?

[@MelTorrefranca]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4i8ead8o76Nnrc

[@urboygian]

i was so bored with uni, i finished my first draft instead lmaoooo

[@redsol3629]

Number one, the only lines are the ones you make.

[@noreddinshekho5981]

Dear bad writers: Writing a book is about quality and not quantity. Good books take years to write

[@writeright447]

Although this is true, it doesn't necessarily mean they are BAD writers, just new. ^^

[@MissHapUk]

It's not only writers! I guess it helps everyone struggling to write essays for their course work, assignments...etc., personally it helped me to start writing my LOR and SOP's🤍 Tysm ya! #loveumel

[@MelTorrefranca]

So happy to hear that. Good luck!