PREPPING FOR MY WRITING MARATHON | the

I came up with a 9 step prep plan leading up to the big weekend later this June! (June 17th - 19th, if you also want to participate and try to write a novel in 24 hours.)
Here's the three biggest steps: rereading my first draft, rearranging the timeline, and fully setting up my Scrivener doc.
☟↓ QUESTIONS FOR YOU BELOOOOOW! ↓☟
D I S C U S S I O N Q U E S T I O N S :
Do you make timelines for your story? Where in the writing process do you construct them? (Before you start writing, after the first draft, never?) If you do, how in-depth are they?
Do you create playlists or aesthetics or lists of movies to watch to get in the ~vibe~ of your story? Where in the process do you do that and how often do you reference them while writing?
Do you have anything within your process that is "double work" or not efficient, but is something you NEED to do multiple times? And let me know what you think of art and creating and efficiency and how they do or don't link together anyhow!
L I N K S M E N T I O N E D :
The #24hrnovel challenge: / 24hr_novel
‪@StorytellersHearth‬ will also be hosting their Weekend Relay at the same time, so you can expect a bunch of awesome livestreams!
F I N D M E O N L I N E :
❤️ Instagram: / katecavanaughwrites
🧡 Newsletter: landing.mailer...
💛 Twitch: twitch.tv/katecavanaughwrites
💚 Patreon: / katecavanaugh
💙 Website: readwriteroam....
💜 Medium: / katecavanaughwrites
🎥 E Q U I P M E N T U S E D & W H A T I W R I T E W I T H :
*My bullet journal / writing & travel notebook: amzn.to/2UkrF0r
*My main camera for vlogging and time-lapse: amzn.to/321RbtW
Scrivener for my word processing needs: www.literature...
*My "rainbow pens": amzn.to/2ZAiWIw
*My tiny camera with a gimbal for on-the-go and motion-lapse: amzn.to/2ZtQzzF
Aeon Timeline to create visual timelines for my stories: www.aeontimeli...
*these are affiliate links, where I receive a small commission that helps the channel! Feel free to ignore. :)
💌 S N A I L M A I L M E :
PO Box 1022
607 E. Blanco Road
Boerne, TX 78006
#authortube #writingvlog #writingcommunity

[@KerriB]

I'm in slight panic mode because I'm only on chapter 3 of my outline 😂 This is going to be so fun and I'm so excited!

[@KateCavanaugh]

LOLOL I need an update, Kerri!!! How's it going? YOU GOT THIS.

[@KerriB]

@@KateCavanaugh I left an update on my Patreon comment so prepare to read some things again 😂 I have a HUGE 130k client edit that will most likely take three or four weeks to complete that I'm starting next Monday. My bank account will look so nice, my mental health probably not so much. I've accepted I won't finish my outline, but I factored in the day of the challenge as a day off from editing so I'll definitely be scrambling to get whatever I get done on my story in solidarity with everyone else ❤️

[@sydney2802]

I don't make timelines or inspiration things to get in the vibe of my story, I don't know why. Well, I did a 'playlist' for a singular story that has literally ONE song in it lol. As far as 'double work,' I literally re-write every single draft. I mean like no copy pasting at all. If I like a sentence, I re-type it. It helps me kind of tweak things and make better sentences. And I really like the process of making art, so efficiency don't factor into it for me. It's one thing when you're on a deadline, but if you're not and you're allowed to just kinda entrench your self in the world and process, it's fun.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Now I'm so curious what the one song was! Bahaha. And I loooove your explanation for rewriting each sentence! I do find sometimes that when I copy/paste, it pulls me out of the story a bit. I go from looking at the micro sentence level to a more macro couple paragraphs or pages. I know at some point it's all tweaking, but maybe I should reserve the copy/paste for nearly the very end. I'll have to start thinking about that! :)

[@sydney2802]

@@KateCavanaugh oh man, it was a country song that I heard in a movie - sunshine by George canyon

[@JenLovesCraft]

I love the idea that art shouldn't necessarily be efficient. Nowadays it feels like everyone is living in a hurry within a self imposed productivity bubble. I have found that sometimes taking a step back and allowing yourself more time, in stead of focussing on some wordcount number to hit, is what can give your project the spark or breakthrough it needs! I'm going to apply that more from now on, thank you!

[@LeeAnneRMT]

If it is efficient is it art or is it a project? That is the way I think about it. Writing a newsletter for the office should be efficient (project) writing a short story of the same length not so straight forward (art) Painting a wall (project) painting a picture (art) 😊

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooooh, yes! Love that idea of project vs. art. Thanks Lee-Anne!! :)

[@KateCavanaugh]

Totally agreed, Jennifer!! I've definitely been a culprit of that myself and feel like I'm beginning to pull back the layers now.

[@hannahslayton5197]

When I am planning a story, I do a chapter-by-chapter outline. From there, I write down what happens on each day that the chapter takes place. I have playlists for all of my stories. Either the songs are about the characters and their story or the song is mentioned somewhere in the book. About the whole eye strain thing, I highly recommend that you try blue light protection glasses if you haven't already. I used to get headaches almost every day and I struggled to fall asleep at night. Since wearing the glasses on a daily basis during screen time, my headaches have decreased tremendously and my sleep has improved. Though it took a few days for me to get used to the lenses. Your nails are so cute and so are your pets, and crocheting is literally the best! I worked on a scrunchie during this video but I probably should have been working on my outline instead 🤣 Love you Kate and your videos (and pets!)! 💕I get very excited when I see that you posted a new video. Your channel gives me the motivation to work on my stories.

[@PhoebeWritesFiction]

My 'not efficient, but...' is any time I write on paper. I hate having to type it up afterwards! BUT it means I can more easily go write in the sunshine and it feels so nice and it helps me get unstuck if I'm feeling burnt out from writing at the computer. I wouldn't do it all the time, but I like it enough to do it some of the time (and to tolerate the typing up).

[@PhoebeWritesFiction]

oh AND it's much better for writing in bed before sleep, because screens before sleep aren't great

[@nildam.bonilla5849]

I also am writing my novel on paper (still on the zero draft) as I find it's easier to move/use specially in the car while waiting for my kids and I won't suffer if there's a power outage and I feel as if I want to write😅

[@KateCavanaugh]

I love brainstorming on paper but hate writing on paper because I feel like my hand can't keep up with my brain bahaha. But it does make me focus on the individual words more, so maybe I could try it out for more intense/emotional scenes?? Hmmmmmm.... I know we totally talked about this on your stream, but I actually do love typing up notes after because it gives me another chance to look at things/edit/tinker bahaha.

[@aliciac.7569]

Remarkable or Supernote. They change lives.

[@brianacwritesbooks]

This video was so soothing to watch and made me smile!! I've just started my own authortube channel and absolutely LOVE your content Kate 😄Hope we can be besties and can't wait to watch more of your content 😊

[@iWriteWithPride]

I have to make timelines or else I'll mix up when certain events happened 😅 I make timelines before and during drafting. Playlists and pinterest moodboards are a MUST. I reference them often and it really helps me out.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Ooooh, love the before AND during. Do you find the timelines are more in depth at the beginning or after drafting? Sometimes I feel like I brain dump into timelines/outlines more when I'm uncertain of what's going to happen. I haven't logged into Pinterest in forever but think it's about time. Gonna make a moodboard for this project for sure!

[@iWriteWithPride]

@@KateCavanaugh So far the timelines are more in depth before and get simplified during and after drafting. Also same: I tend to go overkill before drafting and dump all thoughts into the timeline and once I'm more sure of what I'm going for, I pull back the details to a single sentence and in the end it's just a one to two word nickname/label.

[@r.k.knight2164]

Business is about efficiency. Art is about expressing an idea, a concept an emotion in a way that the artist finds perfect. An artist trying to feed themselves on their art alone will always struggle to find the balance between the logic of structure and the chaos of the journey.

[@sarafreitas6988]

Thank you for always including the puppies in teh vlogs. They are always so cute. Good luck on the challenge, I will also participate and I plan to jump between projects. I still have to set goals for all of them. :/

[@KateCavanaugh]

Ahhh, of course! I'm so glad! I feel like the craziest pet mom sometimes when I'm like LOOKATTHEMBEINGPRECIOUS (but it's all the time) bahaha. Love the idea of jumping between two projects, I think that's perfect for a challenge like this!!

[@sarafreitas6988]

@@KateCavanaugh No way, you ound so calm. They are so adorable!

[@PaigeHWrites]

I have to work that weekend, but I was thinking about doing a 24 in 48 experiment and trying to do a 50k revision during that!

[@LeeAnneRMT]

That sounds like a better for health experiment! I work weekends too, mostly I find I am most likely to write on Tuesdays.

[@samantharose1001]

I’m going to soft participate by carving out 12 hours to write over Saturday and Sunday this weekend!!

[@ekkowrites]

Best of luck to you ❤ This sounds like those inventions people called impossible - until someone did it 😂❤

[@katesstarkautorin]

Hey Kate! Longtime fan from Germany here 🙋🏻‍♀️ I've been meaning to comment on one of your previous videos in which you talked about dictation. I absolutely swear by Dragon Naturally Speaking. I've been using their software for almost 7 years now after having problems with my hands and shoulders due to an old injury, and I can really recommend their dictation software. I'm using Version 13 Premium (never used any of the newer ones or the app though🤷🏻‍♀️) and was able to write a 20k novella in 24 hours a few years ago. I still use dictation almost entirely for my rough drafts (I usually only type the first few chapters to get a feel for the story) and I've found that I feel less exhausted after a full day of writing/dictating. Depending on the Version, Dragon also lets you transcribe audio files which is my prefered method of dictation. I record myself talking (using my phone's audio recorder app) and later let the software work its magic on my PC. Seeing the words appear on screen while dictating is just too distracting for me 😅 And I think it's a bit more accutate as well ... I know it costs a bit of money but I am really happy that I decided to buy it back then. Seriously upped my writing game (and my hands/shoulders are grateful, too 😅) I'm a Windows user so I don't know how well it would work on your Mac, but I thought this might be helpful 😉🤷🏻‍♀️ Let me know if you have any more questions. Anyways. Good look with the challenge! Really looking forward to the vlog!😊

[@KateCavanaugh]

I've heard SUCH good things about Dragon Naturally Speaking over the years, but never wanted to take the plunge because of the cost. I think you've just convinced me it's worth it though. Thank you so much for your comment. It looks like they have a one-week trial for the mobile version. I'll test it out before the challenge! And I'll see about the Mac version too. 👀 Thank you again!!

[@SarahCahillWrites]

Damn, I need to do this as well don't I? I don't have much more than a very detailled outline to complete, and yet somehow I don't think that is going to be enough. Love seeing you work on the timeline.

[@BowersVoice]

Oh man. I am having a time with timelines. Am firmly into the second act of my novel...and completely forgot to write in more details of my my B story, which was left behind in Act I. Nice. 🤦‍♂

[@thevampirelock]

In terms of lacking "efficiency" with my writing process, I have 3 different outlines. I'm a gardener (I have a general idea but let my characters have room to breathe as I work), so I have a 4 act outline for major scenes, scene cards on notecards, and a retroactive outline that I fill out after I've written a chapter (to avoid having to reread my book 100 times).

[@MissLucyJane]

I make timelines/outlines as part of figuring out the plot. Sometimes they're very detailed, like for a complicated story (like the current project, oof) or they can be very simple. I generally don't make mood boards, though I'll collect pictures for inspiration or reference. I do make playlists, though, usually somewhere in the first draft or while I'm outlining. They tend to grow, too: the current project has a Spotify playlist of 344 songs (nearly 24 hours' worth of music) that's a mix of classical, 90s-2000s pop, punk, and EDM. My characters are musicians in various genres. My goal for the writeathon is to add new words so I don't intend to do any double work. My tool of choice will be a Freewrite smart typewriter (I have the Hemingwrite, which is a gorgeous piece of machinery). I prefer not to do a lot of extra typing because of carpal tunnel syndrome (I had surgery for it a few years ago, but I still can't type for long periods without pain) and dictating is not a great solution, at least not for me.

[@_minkit]

as im starting on draft 2, I actually just made a timeline. Made it on google docs (I've gotten VERY good at playing around with google docs over the last few months. i can do lots of fun things on there now!) and then I took that outline and my fully hand-written bullet point outline (I say bullet point but those bullet points can get quite detailed, I just find the format most helpful to me as far as outlines go) and merged them together (again on google docs) in order to go scene by scene. I plan to write draft 2 in that document so that I have the outline and timeline right in front of me as i'm writing and then i made it so i can literally check the box on google docs as i get done with a bullet point/scene. It's quite fun and handy. Then I can just copy+paste the scenes over into their own clean document afterwards and while I've decided to track my daily word count, it'll also help me avoid being too obsessed over the word count for the project, at least for now. i would love to participate in the 24 hour novel. If I'm not done with draft 2 by then (with me, one can never tell. I either write really fast or really slow, no in between) i might try to work on the other idea i'm sitting on that i came up at the same time as this current one, at least so that i have a partial 1st draft, but I won't try to pressure myself to get this done in time ahaha. I've set a goal to work on draft 2 through june so for now, my goal is to work on that other story during camp nano.

[@anjakuemski]

I have a vague structure for the plot that hopefully will get me through the challenge. If not, there are 3 more novels in the series, also vaguely plotted. I could never do speech to text though, my brain only starts working on the story when my fingers are on the keyboard or if I have a pen in my hand.

[@nildam.bonilla5849]

My process is having no process at all, I may attempt this even if obly to have an external motivator to try to reach a goal as apparently thats what moves me😅. As I had set my goal to write my novel (that my brain quickly turned into a trilogy🙃) by the end of the year I was like its ok if I only manage the first draft, its going to be done and then I can take time to edit. But it took me 3 months to get to 11,000 words only for me to be scared on Camp NANO and set a goal of 10,000 words that I crushed in less than 2 weeks, but I felt myself loosing steam after reaching the goal and obviously my kids schools just had to make May a whirlwind of assignments and activities so that Ive barely had time to sit and write... but Im happy Im currently at 25,000 (haven't turned a few ideas/notes I had to write on napkins while out cause I forgot a notebook😅) so I should be almost at 26 000 words which is just amazing to me. And Ive learned to just embrace the way I do stuff and to stop thinking I can be at a pace others are at. Thanks for giving me another writing motivation boost. Hugs❤

[@bekichan91]

I looked into voice to text when I hurt my hands. Otter is a good transcription option that has a web and mobile version, but I'm aware that it has to work for you. Dictation can take some getting used to. Just wondering, have you considered your current set up? Is it ergonomic? Could it be causing more eye strain? Are you able to get optometrist-provided computer-use glasses that may help? Would something small, like increasing the font size help? Sometimes just adjusting how we're using things can reduce the pressure we're putting on our bodies. Take care of yourself and your eyes ❤

[@chesterdavis27]

I never thought about creating a timeline before writing, but maybe formally outlining things that way is good idea.

[@MartaCanPixel]

lmao I had completely forgotten there were meant to be 9 steps until you mentioned it, you're not alone 😂 Re: when do you create playlists/aesthetics - I think this is a step in the process that is heavily influenced by authortube and content creation for me. I'd never heard of playlists before authortube and I like the idea of them and sort-of use them, but I think part of the motivation for making one in the first place was just so I could say I had one and join in on conversations around project playlists 😅 Then there's the more 'useful' reference bits (at least for what I find useful) like character art, which I did really late in the process for my current book mainly because I wanted to film the process but was scared of not being good enough, so I kept putting it off. The result is that I'm 4 drafts into this project and half of my characters haven't been properly described yet. I'd really like to get better at doing these sort of things at the start of the process though, rather than as an afterthought, I think it'd be really useful.

[@KateCavanaugh]

LOOOOL very glad to know I wasn't the only one! This is not the only time I've done an intro to a video and I'm like THAT'S where this started? It's evolved* so much! ☠️ (*evolved meaning run away on a tangent) I love that you pointed out how much authortube/content creation affects that stage of the planning process! Especially because mood boards, playlists, etc. are like a "shareable" part of your WIP vs. just ideas in your head. I'd also definitely like to work on using character art (or even photographs for reference points) to help me describe my characters better/at all. ALWAYS a struggle.

[@Writingsabeast]

the curse in my novel also needs 3 people XD And I'm also trying to figure out how to pace the settling of the curse. Good luck on your cursy goodness!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Three is just the perfect number!! GOOD LUCK TO YOU TOO!

[@rokamayono8590]

Personally for me I really jump around, like how in my WIP I’m starting on the characters first before I work on the plot, since the plots really character driven, only problem is there’s not much *plot*, since it’s a “fly on the wall” type of storytelling. Edit: actually now that I think about it, my process shifts around depending on what type of story I’m writing

[@ryanwrites]

A lot of people like otter for dictation. It's free up to a certain number of hours a month I believe. You have to separate paragraphs and do some editing, but the ai does a pretty good job of adding punctuation even if you change your talking speed.

[@KateCavanaugh]

Oooh thank you for this recommendatioN!! I'll check it out!

[@yinkam7902]

I love the yard it's so pretty!

[@KateCavanaugh]

Ahhh, thank you! It's definitely ALIVE right now bahaha. We've wanted to let nature do its thing, but now it's just about time to start corralling it all and maybe figuring stuff out for next year. :)

[@SM-yd8hq]

Dragon voice to text. I have broken my wrist and I can't type and it's been a life saver

[@lisastapleton2247]

I haven't even started writing down my outline for this challenge yet 😂 but its fiiiine there's still time right? (said the procrastinator)

[@A_Bookish_Obsession]

Watching this super late and in chunks but I am also plotting/outlining/planning for the #24hrnovel challenge as well. I'm just passed the Break into Act 2 and S T R U G G L I N G. 😅

[@djwexlerwrites]

Hey Kate, you wouldn't happen to be considering streaming on Twitch when you do the novel challenge?

[@KateCavanaugh]

I absolutely do plan on it! :)

[@frankiesscifiobsession3660]

i really want to join this challenge but i work 14hrs on that saturday which scares me but i think i'm going to aim for 20k over the whole weekend, most of that being written on sunday, planing to write Act 3 of my ya space opera

[@inuyasha1463]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@alexpalpatine8437]

All these wonderful yet upsurd writing challenges, don't they mess up your writing schedule I wonder? 😁

[@fionahowellwrites5302]

I usually don't see the timeline until after the 1st draft....LOL

[@Heothbremel]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Chronicle_MV]

How are your pets doing?

[@johntubbs6617]

Cut and paste doesn't work, you have to re-write for every position on the story arc whichever of the 6 type curves you use or combinations of that you put together on your plotline or the backbone so to speak. Story arc is the most overlooked part of planning a new story. All 6 arcs are idealized or a category of shape, But are really warped to fit your story in real life. or all stories would be predicable and boring. Randomness in shape of the 6 possible arc shapes is the key to great stories and also the random distance between TRD's at the end of incidents in scenes etc... That allows shock and surprise to happen. They work together on all levels of the story - Scenes - Situations, Chapters Acts etc.. they all have to match up. Up and down and the turnarounds. Peaks and valleys a must or the story turns to dust Ha Ha. There is a bestselling story arc combo called Plot Twister Beat with a 2 W shape, but its idealized as well, but 80 percent of bestsellers have that shape story arc..

[@asifmuniruniverse7732]

If you try to make me joke then'I'll never see here again

[@Europeanslave]

Is it possible for me to be my only influence ?

[@asifmuniruniverse7732]

bye

[@lxtatar7773]

Hi! I've been returning to your channel now and then for a couple of years now. If someone was looking for a youtube channel about the esthetics of writing I'd definitely recommend your videos. I do love esthetics (coffee, playlists, writing challenges, all that good stuff). But I can't help wondering what the result of your writing is? Because it's always projects, zeo draft, first draft...final draft but seems like you never show or publish the finished stories. I hope this isn't rude, I don't mean it as rude, I'm just curious and a bit confused. p.s. Also I understand that some people just love the process regardless of results, and if that's what it is for you I completely get it