Print Your Manuscript!

Today's writing related video is all about printing out your manuscript and revising on paper instead of just the computer screen! Make lots of notes, use colors, and don't rush it!
My twitter - / kat_tastic

[@ShandyeNgomelSikit]

another good tips that i wanna share with all of you fellow writers is apart from printing your first draft, it is wise to keep it stored and away for at least a week or so before starting to plunge through the editing process. to me, that one or two weeks time is enough for your brain to kind of 'relaxed' a bit and you will look into your work with a fresh (or fresher?) pair of eyes. :)

[@tristenm9808]

You got that from Stephen King.

[@ShandyeNgomelSikit]

if if works for Stephen King and me, it (probably) should works for you too. so...no harm in sharing it on, right?

[@tristenm9808]

There's no harm at all. Just trying to point it out. :)

[@YourDarkAccomplice]

Good one!

[@DreamsOfSappho]

tristenm9808 Hahah I think the process of creating a distanse between yourself and your work to be able to see it differently has been used by more people than Stephen King.. :P

[@heroforthewin1500]

I'm dumb. X) You talk about adding in subtle hints of what's to come later, like foreshadowing. And here I am like, "How do I plan that far ahead?!" And then you said, "You can go back and sprinkle hints some where." I had like the biggest facepalm moment ever. I just forgot that of course I can go back and add things in. I guess it's because I'm used to posting stories online by chapters. When you do that you can't really go back and add things in. Every little detail has to be planned out precisely before even writing the first chapter. Sigh

[@darkwriter_xx94]

+Clocks Amvs SAME HERE!! I really got in the habit of outlining from writing fanfiction and the frustration of wishing I had added details in earlier chapters. Now I can't seem to function without an outline. It's to the point now where I spend more time outlining than writing but it does pay off in the end and make writing the actual book easier.

[@KillerBill1953]

A general answer to some of the questions on this thread, following your printing out your story (novels are usually over 80,000 words). I use CreateSpace. I write my novel, edit, rewrite, proof read on computer, then I pay CreateSpace to print proof copies, (at around £3.00 plus postage). For the price of the paper and toner cartridge for one copy I can get 3 or 4 proof copies which will be identical to the finished novel except for text changes.

[@kamuelalee]

CreateSpace is no longer.

[@eliana947]

Lily from How I Met Your Mother is also a writer on the side?

[@IxiaRayne]

Eliana Yes, Ted mentioned that they have a publication Party for Tracy’s Book on New Years Eve, if I remember correctly. They both sit in a limousine and Ted says it’s a night to get hammered and downs two champagnes within minutes. :)

[@giannag1430]

Kat!! I miss your writing vids so much!! I rewatch the same ones everytime I write lol they are so helpful and entertaining

[@zombiereads3469]

So i saw this video on my recommended list, and i've seen it like 3 times already but i wanted to watch it again, and i clicked it trying to say "god i love kat!" But i ended up saying "god i love katniss!" And i just, i dont know why.

[@andi-roo9426]

"And this is very important, but don't forget to use COLORS!" lmfao I love you so much!

[@TheSelfPublishingAgency]

You're so right about the importance of seeing it in print! Not only does it serve a purpose, but it's SO rewarding!

[@katysixx9111]

You have no idea how much your writing advice has helped me for my story. Especially the outlining. Everyone keeps saying outline and I'm just like, "How do I do that Mortal!" You are an angel sent from god to me ;)

[@Todpirscher]

This is super helpful to read considering NaNoWriMo is starting in a few weeks. Thanks for this video. =)

[@ashnestler286]

I actually printed out my own manuscript recently, and I am totally going to use your highlighter color-coding and categorizing system. It's really well thought out! Edit -- The color highlighting proved more distracting than helpful. :\

[@ZEEmazingBooks]

I do the same thing. Then while I'm typing it, I sorta edit as I go along. Plus, writing it down first is like a security blanket. If you type it all up and then your computer crashes or something goes wrong, then your story isn't just gone forever because you already have it written down somewhere :)

[@mindayoakum]

I'm not a writer but these are some really great tips for writing novels and can also be used for research papers, essays, etc. Great video.

[@HomicidalDavid]

Glad I found this channel. I want to get a series of books published but don't know much about formatting for getting a novel published.

[@AWriterInspired]

I agree with you. There's nothing better than printing it out. I've been going cheap lately and doing the work on the computer but you're absolutely right about having that manuscript printed so that you can mark it up and read it in the form it will someday be in :)

[@kennedycompton115]

You look like willow from Buffy

[@IxiaRayne]

Kennedy Compton OMG YES!

[@thesunwentred]

That's a good idea for using different colors to target specific types of writing. I definitely could see myself getting burnt out just working page by page, but maybe if I tackled Ch. 1's dialogue for one day, description another, it might flow more like an assembly line. Interesting. And yes, I am a VERY visual person so seeing what chunks of which color are dominating and where I could even things out makes a ton of sense. GENIUS KAT!

[@dakotabrockel116]

On the subject of outline, I prancer my rough draft, then before I edit and revise I take the outline of the rough draft and edit and revise that.

[@WrenchBench]

This is literally one of the best and most helpful videos I have seen ever! Thanks Katy!

[@KatharineFrancis]

I'm glad to see others like color and goes the extra mile to plan and really look things over. I thought I was just being OCD with things. haha

[@ajsamehmedovic3308]

im writing a book and pubishing it myself but id love it if you continued this series! I know you're writing a book and im not sure but i think you're not finshed, i think we'd all love to follow you in your journey of creating/publishing your book /

[@breadsanta6414]

Do not self publish don't do it

[@ajsamehmedovic3308]

Your Mum why not >?

[@breadsanta6414]

Its a total scam basically they'll publish your book but it won't go through any editing it will not be marketed at all its not going to go out to any book stores. And the worst part is you have to pay for it whereas if you just got a literary agent and contacted some publishers they'll provide you with the best quality editing, free marketing and everything else for free, books like Harry Potter, it, to kill a mockingbird were all published the traditional way, there are no successful books that come from self publishing. I hope this helped

[@TonnyPoker]

Your Mum Free marketing? I don´t think so, they´ll give you around 10% on royalties (if you are lucky) for YOUR work, when you self-publish you get up to 80% of the sales, of course, you have to work and edit (and yes, you should pay for a professional editor but that´s anyway a lot cheaper than giving up 90% of the produced money by your book), and yes, is true that all the books you mentioned were published the traditional way, but is also a lie there are not successful books that come from self publishing, just to give you a couple of examples; Water for elephants and 50 shades of gray were first self published, it´s ok if you don´t like a way to do things and if you wanna try the traditional route (good luck with that) but i don´t think is cool to tell someone what to do or not to do based solely on opinions, not just to mention how hard is to get a literary agent and then publishers, so, Ajsa Mehmedovic, good luck with any path you want to take, just gather some info and then make the choice, cheers and good luck on that novel!

[@christygetscrafty]

Oh my goodness, I know this video is old, but you just answered every question I had about what to do next after NaNo. Thank you so much!

[@michaelfenn7501]

I have recently found your channel and I am glad I did. As an aspiring author, your tidbits have helped me. Continue the good work!

[@Doomanoid1979]

Great advice. It's easy to go over it with a coloured pen then edit the corresponding page on your computer.

[@pbhh9125]

Wow!!... I'm not really into writing.. but those tips you gave are awesome! I would've never thought of them, and they answer some questions I've asked myself about how people write books!! really interesting videos!

[@TheNerdyBookNerd]

Great advice! I have my last lecture of the semester tomorrow, so tomorrow afternoon/night I'll really get on with revising! (As well as planning my five-six new novel ideas... Multitasking!)

[@TheNerdyBookNerd]

@Nikki B Yeah, I think I created it in 2012, or something :) I've taken a couple of long breaks from it, however.

[@ChelSierra_Remly]

It doesn't hurt to print out a hard copy after each draft, or a major rewrite. Store the hard copies in a storage container in case you lose all your computer files. Then, all you have to do is type in the last hard copy, or whichever one you decide will be the one you're going to revise or send to publishers. You should probably also print out all of the files connected to all of your works, or the most important ones, so that you can type them up if the files on the computer get deleted or corrupted. Yeah, it can take up a lot of closet space, but it could also be the only thing that saves a story you loved from never seeing the light of day again. It just doesn't hurt to have various versions of a document/manuscript, or to have it saved to numerous devices so that you have more than one option for retrieving your works. -- -- Files can be printed 10 pages at a time, or broken up into smaller files for printing.

[@ashtana7397]

The color coding idea is soooo goood~~~ Thanks! I really enjoy your videos!

[@TheBookBitch101]

This is such an amazing idea. I've been writing for less than a year now and my book on Wattpad has just reached a MILLION reads. So once I have completed it I will be doing this, although I will not be publishing it because it's not what I want to publish.

[@NaturalPoppy]

I love Highlighters! Great idea for getting a quick overview of each page...I think I'm going to love editing!

[@thesunwentred]

If anyone will discover it, it will you be you, Kat! I believe in you! Those videos sound awesome! I will blindly follow along with your revision process and craft my editing along your weekly themes. I think that will help me a lot! That Kat is a thoughtful gal! :D

[@sorenkrane]

I'm so happy I found your channel. You're inspiring me to write more!

[@40jamieful]

You are awesome, Katytastic!

[@Golden_Flute]

I absolutely LOVE that color-coding idea! I finished the first draft of my manuscript back in June and spent all summer editing it. It is now in the caring hands of my ridiculously honest mother, who edits without worrying if she's going to upset me. Once I get it back from her, it's going to a trusted friend, then will be revised by me one more time (at which point I may try that color-coding idea!). Then... well, we'll see what the lit agents think, I guess... :)

[@KimmyVilla]

I love this video! It's so helpful! I printed out my first two chapter so far highlighted and details on the back. Finished with those. You have great ideas actually. Thank you so much you're making my life easier! :)

[@BrandiMarie]

I think we could be best friends. I don't know why... but I think we could. Thanks so much for all these super helpful videos! I finally feel like I'm heading in the right direction!

[@miissgomiitaz]

Podría mirar este vídeo una y otra vez, me encanta Kat!

[@nomdeplume1358]

When is your book getting published?? I'm waaaaiiittiinng!

[@BRIANBIGBOSULLIVAN]

About to finish my first novel and this was just the info I needed. Except I don't think I'll be using colored pens :) Thanks Katy.

[@roger8654]

The further away a person moves from what they know, the more creative you become

[@EternalDrummer1990]

I actually write my entire story on paper and type it up when I feel its a finished product. So that's well after at least a few drafts.

[@subhashnisarta8040]

Thanks so much for your good ideas for writing novel and important tips about it Really I practice like that you have already done it this morning time before I leave already thought about it how to write a plot of the story it is 🌟 started sometimes by anxiety, romance, suspence, murder, event, party, little bit scenario introduction.and come into main character or story plot. So this ideas are also come in my mind refuring you that how to write manuscript in the note book and how different line and dialog and character draw in the note book with different methods and color pen and paper work in the note book. So your speech is very impressive to me in your own way like qute and kind to me. Thanks.

[@thesunwentred]

I am so jealous that you printed out your manuscript! I need to do that, but I don't have a printer t_t. I think it is important to physically touch your story and craft it/revise at least somewhat by hand, too. I think I will do this for my story, too, to be able to wrap my head around all of the crap-load of revisions I need to do! OH NO KAT! Size 13 font!!!??? I usually keep font size around 8, on screen and off. Holy crap I need to re-do my outline completely! *Dreads revising novel*

[@Lacey1D]

She has different print setting - different and larger font, double spaced, larger margins. That will double the pages on its own.

[@tick-tackgirl335]

id print it after my 3rd draft, mainly when l think its finished to l can make any last-minute changes. but you do get a better standpoint reading it from paper. and also helps to read it outlouad. you my see things you missed before.

[@HorribleGamingFun]

That is a nifty font, what is that? oo

[@franloiacono9306]

I hole punch my manuscript and put it in a binder, personally, it just makes editing a lot easier and it's a cute little keepsake.

[@obsessionsofadancer]

Great advice! I would love to read your story once it is published!

[@rameo89]

Great Video Katy!!!!!

[@Ben-eu8sc]

*Kat

[@ivandrikleynhans5873]

Hi, I absolutely love your videos; you are extremely funny on your book reviews and I cannot wait to see more!

[@XxBloodyblackcatxX]

This is really helpful and I favorted it. In my head I already knew these tips but sometimes I really helps to have a stranger say them again. =]

[@StarLord66X]

I am currently writing about 120 total short story ideas. Then I decide which one sounds best. The one I am thinking is a hunger games in space. 42 students get a trip to the moon without no telling what is happening. When they go into the moon they are soon suited up and released out on the moon floor. Then they have to battle to the death until one remains. That one will get to go back home

[@SheRaconteurs]

I am write at this point I finally printed it out! Now it's sitting there looking at me, like, 'what?' And its all out of order which is sort of messing with me. Hundreds of bits a bobs. Maybe I need to cut it up and put it back together like a big jigsaw puzzle. Also my sets of sticky notes don't stick! Curse you dollar bin imitation Post-its! I do haz the colors though! I'm so excited, but I have no idea what I'm doing! Yay!

[@blacksnowcatxx]

that would take a LONG time and then youre not even sure if you will keep those scenes you painstakingly corrected. ive done that enough to regret it. but if it works for you then go for it and never give up!

[@BretGammons]

...Kat reminds me of Alyson Hannigan...but she also reminds me of a relative of mine named (and this is fun if you're a Hannigan fan) Willow. And then in this video, her mannerisms reminded me of my friend Kat. It's all connected...the universe...it's trying to tell me something...something... WITH ELLIPSES.

[@EmilynWood]

I want to read.... that book... in your hands... called Storyteller (even though there are at least three other books that are called that on Goodreads). What's it about?

[@miyah8818]

+Katytastic This is incredibly awesome! 👏👏 man I wished I had Microsoft computer 😭 But once I do, I'll writing like there's tomorrow! 😂😂

[@elsieschmaltz6754]

I need next part of this ,too.

[@ZEEmazingBooks]

I have the same problem. I have millions of stories I've started but never finished. Part of it may be because whatever you're writing doesn't interest you anymore so you just stop. J.K. Rowling wrote but didn't finish a lot of stories before she came up with Harry Potter so its normal. But when the right story and the right words come to you, you'll be way too motivated to not finish it :)

[@MandiLynnWrites]

I love printing each draft of my manuscript just to be able to look back at them later to see how far I've come (my novel has doubled in I first starting writing it in 8th grade). But I like the highlighter trick :) I edit a chapter every sitting (sometimes I go back to do it a few times a day) but it edit 2 chapters in one sitting the editing quality just goes blah

[@81Skippy]

Thanks for the extra information. It was really helpful. I hope you get published one day, I would love to read your work. :D

[@JamesRDavenport]

I love the concept here. The only thing I'd add to it is...make sure you have a pristine printer cartridge before you do it. Printing out full slays printer ink like Bruce Campbell slays the undead! :P lol

[@csesznokflora]

once your writings come out , I will read all of them, for sure!

[@izzes]

Ok, this video is old but it gave me a lot of tips while I'm revising my manuscript. I don't know if you'll see this, but thank you. ((:

[@oliviastoltzfus3639]

If your book does get published, when will it come out?

[@karmichaelblue]

This really helps! Thanks for posting!

[@SheRaconteurs]

Also if writing in Scrivener, do you make a new project or keep working in the NaNo file? I bought Scrivener with my winner's discount code. Thanks to you Kat!

[@sylviastein9225]

This is great advice.

[@seamarshall5725]

This is awesome.

[@LuckDanko]

0:55 *Epic voice* ¡Storyteller!...Working title XD I dunno why that just cracked me

[@Makreads]

I'm not going to write a book in a hurry, but I have to agree, I'd rather an author take their time and make a good book, than to rush and ruin what could have been an amazing.

[@EaglesRead]

I kind of outline it parts. I outline the first few chapters, but then I get stuck and I have to actually write those chapters out, but then when I finish that I think "Oh in the next chapter this, this and this will happen."

[@hannaloveswriting318]

This is so practical! I need practicality. I make things way too complex.

[@marecaseri9717]

I wish I could see an example of what one of your chapters looks like once the note taking is complete.

[@LeighMilneMagic]

Alyson Hannigan getting excited here

[@81Skippy]

I always come back to this video just for 00:52

[@mariamnessi]

This is such a helpful video! Thank you x

[@nohea_robertson]

This is so helpful! Thanks!

[@vulturewaterbug]

Some really good ideas. One thing is, no staples, paper clips. Thanks.

[@imafunhungrygirl]

Hey! I'm really excited to read your book, is there any way I could get my hands on a copy? Great video btw ;)

[@twinklebelle1599]

when you said pink for action, did you mean as in like verbs or fighting action? it sounds like a dumb question but i just don't know

[@tulio84z]

Badass title.

[@armandozertuche4054]

Can anyone help me? I am writing my manuscript but am I suppose to include a book cover? I don't have one at the moment can I just write the manuscript and hopefully an if it gets published someone will make a cover or What?

[@morganeoghmanann9792]

Armando Zertuche - If you will be self-publishing, then a book cover will be expected. If you are submitting to a traditional publisher, they have an art department that will design the cover for you. The unfortunate part is that the author gets no say-so, no vote on what the cover will look like.

[@PatrickMaberry]

I write without an outline....well I have a mental outline but it changes sometimes...

[@kanishkpanchal3449]

Can I use high liter on word and highlight and put notes on a different document with the same book copied onto it?

[@blacksnowcatxx]

yay! i do that too!

[@cheryld7765]

Great tips thanks. I need a way to quiet the perfectionist in me :( She is annoying.

[@metiaharris6838]

Hi! Do you have a vid for people terrified of Dialogue? Because I have read many books with dialogue and just listened to talking around me. I am still terrified of dialogue though I have tried dialogue before. I don't believe I did a very good job.

[@addisonjacobs3642]

Kat, how did you stick to your one story? My problem is that I come up with many storylines, but can never stick to just one and finish it out. I'm trying to write a manuscript, my dream is to be published, but I can't because my lack of attention to just one storyline.

[@81Skippy]

I know you like to up your font size, but: Do you double space your manuscript as well?

[@thepowerofcheesecake]

Do you think it's okay to revise a chapter once you finish it, then write the next chapter and revise that and so on?

[@MMontengore]

This was very helpfull! Now I just have what I call my "chapter-problem". I don't know how long one chapter is supposed to be. My chapters usually turns out to be like a little bit over 5 000 words and I don't know if that's too short or too long or okay. How long are youre chapters?

[@StarburstBooks]

Did you print all of that at your house? Where did you print it? How much ink does it use?

[@rcantwell161]

My book was 41 pages and I tried to staple it all together- right now the book splits at chapter 16

[@ajmeyerink1328]

Omg I have that same blue pen and it my favorite pen for writing on paper

[@Azzoic]

Hehe done it all. My zombie novel only exists in a physical form inside a safe (that's inside another safe). Thanks for the tips, very, very helpful! Could've saved me time and exposed more mistakes when I was writing the novel. (Alas, IT'S STILL PERFECT!!! :P) P.S. How can I read your novel, the Island? I don't know how NaNoWrMo works. D:

[@jasonedwards6870]

she is one kool kat! very funny lady!!

[@thesunwentred]

Hurrah!

[@ajallen128]

For editing I recommend a Latin pen

[@benmalcolmson7138]

Thank's Kat very helpful video!!!! :D