Thoughts on Finishing my First Draft | writing for myself, new process, & being happy

[@mariechr378]

"I owe this book so much" No Shaelin, darling, you owe YOURSELF so much, because it's YOUR book and YOUR idea and you're a genius and an amazn human being and it's so amazing that you are so happy with this book and I'm glad that you are so proud of yourself

[@imnickij]

Oh man this video. I've had about two years of struggling to produce anything, even for the WiPs I adore. But listening to you talk I've realised the idea of writing for myself actually feels foreign now and I hadn't realised that I'm writing for other people. I'm SO conscious of the fact my work will be read and SO terrified that it'll be hated. Maybe I just need to go back and write by myself, for myself. Thanks for sharing this.

[@trinity3272]

Cant believe it! I still remember when you were writing I'm fine and the dragon tear. Well done!

[@ShaelinWrites]

Ahh thank you!

[@trinity3272]

@@ShaelinWrites wow you replied Haha! Cant wait for the vlog

[@darktruth2358]

Great, so while we’re in quarantine due to CoronaVirus, you can write the sequel

[@ShaelinWrites]

Ironically there's a plague in my book that is a key plot point??

[@amberflowers4]

And now I have no excuse not to write lmao

[@therealfirelord3359]

@@ShaelinWrites Oh god, you wrote it into reality lol

[@lyndonkessler4766]

You are a HERO - You had your journey of Self-Discovery. You took the road less traveled, off the common path and on your own path. The Boon you return with is your Book. Thank you for sharing your journey.

[@nejihyuga3101]

Can't wait to get my hands on this book! I don't know how long it will take to polish and publish it, but I'm already putting some money away for Honey Vinegar and all the books you'll write next. You've helped me so much along my own journey with not only your advice, but just your passion for writing. You're amazing and so are your stories.

[@ShaelinWrites]

Aw this is so sweet!! I'm happy I could help and thank you :D

[@mariamcdonald973]

I am so utterly delighted for you - you intuited your way to your best writing process for THIS book, and it was its own reward! Thank you for sharing your experience. Artists who are truly coming alive in their work do more to spur me on in my own novel writing than myriad tips and tricks do! (I mean, I love me some good writing advice, but a person's joy is contagious.)

[@LindsayPuckett]

I couldn't stop smiling at how HAPPY you were in this video

[@claremiller9979]

"Shut up, I'm confident" - Shaelin, 2020 😂 I'm learning this skill from reading fairly ludicrous amounts of fan fiction. Those writers write for themselves (and sometimes for others) and at least the ones I read, produce at times truly spectacular work. Stuff that makes me Feel All The Things. Emulating that give no fucks attitude to story telling is a true freedom.

[@mikelopez6928]

random question. have you ever seen a person who looks exactly like how you picture one of the characters in your books? trippiest thing ever

[@yinandyangmix]

i've been in a writing slump for a few months (i chose a terrible time to have writer's block when i'm quarantined with nothing to do) but listening to you talk about enjoying the process and trusting yourself, it's really making me feel excited to start brainstorming new ideas.

[@alqualonde2998]

Congratulations on finishing your book.

[@victoriannecastle]

I was just thinking about a writing video and thought of this channel before I opened KZbin. Congratulations, Shae It's been a long way. The only way is forward.

[@hannahnames2239]

Huge congrats for finishing your book! Also, just want to say, listening to you talk about your writing is so inspiring and I love your videos so much.

[@vanessaglau1797]

This is so awesome - congrats on finishing the book!! I also made the decision to write my current novel the way it wants to be written: slooowly. It feels so much better to not conform to productivity standards anymore (at least in this part of my life haha). Looking forward to that vlog!

[@amy-suewisniewski6451]

I am so excited and happy for you! Here's hoping this ends up your debute :) I think what's great about your video content lately is how you've become an advocate for doing your own process. Pantsers get such a hard wrap and it brings all these mixed feelings - I don't pretend it's easier for them. On the flip side as someone who's discovering their process likes plotting I feel doubt all the time I'm too rigid, the story won't flow naturally with an outline, that I'm making a formulaic story not focused on character, etc. And I don't think anyone said that to me, they said that about their own writing but I internalize it watching a few pantsers. But it's a nice reminder that we can all write however we like to make the best book we can make.

[@elsacarree3533]

Thanks Shaelin! So nice to hear your story 👌

[@billyalarie929]

This might be the most extraordinarily encouraging video I've ever seen. I wish I could subscribe twice.

[@uncleanunicorn4571]

I am convinced editing as you go saves time and stress.

[@thunderandwriting]

Congratulations Shaelin! It sounds like the 'apprenticeship' of your prior novels and short stories and university experience has all come together in this project and you're now stepping into mastery -- trusting in your skill and your own choices. I love what you said about letting go of the things you're 'supposed' to do in terms of writing process. I think having written as much as you have, you've internalised what good story structure, characterisation, pacing etc feels like, and you can explore with more freedom knowing you have that solid foundation. Awesome!

[@imaginativebibliophile549]

Shaelin, you have finished the manuscript for your novel, Honey Vinegar. I am so proud of you. I am confident that your novel will be published within a year. This summer, I will be taking a writing course. I am still deciding if I should take a course in Novel Writing, Short Story, or Poetry. I personally love writing short fiction. I started writing my novel, Blessings and Pride in 2018. I have been very inconsistent with it. I abandoned the project because I was not content with the work I was producing. I recently read your short story, Symbiosis. You truly are a talented writer and an inspiration for me. I am deeply actuated by your journey. I love you

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

Take novel writing, much more fulfilling than the others.

[@imaginativebibliophile549]

Yonathan Asefaw Yes, novel writing is a project I can work on for a long time.

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

@@imaginativebibliophile549 Do you have any books published?

[@imaginativebibliophile549]

Yonathan Asefaw I have written two books and I am still working on publication. Over the past two years, I have primarily been writing short stories and poems.

[@LivingDead53]

I wrote my first novel as a joke, and it was horrible. I usually do a zero draft then work from there. I'm glad you're having fun. I'm becoming addicted to reading and writing, which is making it easier for me. Don't stress out! You are a good writer. I bet you'll be famous someday, and I will see your books in stores.

[@deannaweir-smyth3114]

Yes, Shaelin your book is interesting, I'm very happy that you feel confident in your writing.

[@chloelaszlo3066]

You better believe that as soon as you publish this book I'm buying it, I'm soooo excited to read this! Congratulations on finishing a book that was so important to you!!

[@authorgreene]

Congrats on finishing your Lit Fic novel! You're so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your writing journey with us.

[@Saints2024]

Congrats! I know the feeling, I was so excited to finish my draft last year, now I'm writing my second.

[@maylee8696]

Congratulations Shaelin!! This video was so inspiring as well 💕💕 such a great reminder to just focus on my work instead of the inside noise

[@mymessynotebook2207]

I can’t wait to read honey vinegar when you publish it, it sounds so good.

[@docb.9908]

Not giving a damn what people say or think about your writing is ok. I do it, I mean don't do it, all the time. Screw'em all. I've written and published six books and am twelve chapters into book seven. Over the last decade, I've gotten some nasty comments/reviews on my work. At first, those comments bothered me, a lot, but I soon stopped worrying and have taken to writing nasty replies. Returning fire is great fun, you know. I think you're brilliant and look forward to reading your work. Take it from this old man - do and write what makes you happy. Write on, young lady.

[@piathekitty]

(presses face against the screen) Maybe if I do this I will absorb the needed confidence to continue my current draft jk I am SUPER EXCITED for you and this book. Really can't wait to get my hands on a copy 💖💖

[@atella394]

Oh man, so glad you made this video - I relate to so many parts of it and it's nice to know that those struggles aren't unique. Also - love your earrings.

[@MediaAttorney]

Congrats Shaelin!! Can't wait to read it!

[@ihatemickiegee]

this video made me so happy, I know I don't know you in real life but I'm so proud of you! especially as I strive to be where you are. I for the most part don't care if people like the content of my work, but I am still conscious of my hesitation to throw in certain topics or symbolism depending on who's gonna read it or what my endgame is, and always have to slap myself (not literally) back to respecting myself as an artist. the one thing I genuinely am concerned with regarding others is always just "are they going to think I'm a shitty, amateur, embarrassing writer? is my writing quality good enough for my deeper/darker topics to be taken seriously/hold intrigue with the reader, and not sound like I'm being ~edgy~?" - which of course are reasonable concerns, one should always critique oneself if they are striving to become a better writer. but no one becomes a better writer by holding back. and I really respect you for sharing your story of going against the grain / all the classic rules of extended writing, and your novel and mental success with it. I can never work properly with an outline either and always find my best work come from steady flows of ideas (and I have a "bad" habit of editing as I go, I can't help it most of the time.) your stories Holding a Ghost and Symbiosis were very inspiring to me last year or two years ago (and one or two more, but I can't put the name to the memories I have of the stories, whoops) so I'm truly excited about honey vinegar. congrats on finishing round one !! I'll definitely be buying it if that's its intended course of action. :) glad you're happy though, that's the most important part of all this was my initial point

[@kevgh3869]

Shaelin, I want to tell you how valuable your channel is to me. Thanks so much.

[@JoseEduardo-iy2xj]

This vídeo has ALL my love and my heart forever. PERFECTION💜💜💜

[@AndreaHecklerWriter]

The knot analogy is brilliant. Coincidentally that’s exactly the advice I need for a tight spot I’m in with my draft 😅 I’m planning to just write and push through it this week!

[@MrHangman56]

i think i'm just starting to get into this mindset. i just recently finished the second draft of a book and it was the only time i wasn't worrying about how other people would understand or like the characters or story. i was changing it to best suit what i wanted for it, what i wanted to happen, and it was a good feeling. i gave the first chapter to a few people, and while they pointed out some things wrong i agree with, i wasn't as bothered by the criticisms as i would have been 3 years ago. i knew the parts were lackluster and needed a little work, but i was confident enough that i shared it anyway, and it wasn't as bad as i would have predicted before.

[@kaylastarr3822]

Yay! I'm so happy and excited for you. I've really enjoyed hearing you talk about this book on your channel and I've been waiting expectantly to hear that you've finished it. It just sounds like such an awesome book and I can't wait to one day be able to read it.

[@mikaoh4617]

Every writer deserves to be happy. I'm glad you're finding that for yourself. :)

[@dariakey5318]

I believe that you SHOULD weite like this one more time as you look so inspired and happy and overwhelmed with this book and the whole process of writing! Great video! Thank you for sharing!

[@baisfashiondiary]

I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! I SAW THIS AND SCREAMED

[@TimRG]

I had a similar experience this past NaNoWriMo. I scrapped my novel outline I developed to write with nine days before and had to come up with something new. To save time I picked up my longest project I have, came up with a new starting point. Since the project has been in such chaos. I broke the book up into five sections planned for 18k each, with the barest of an outline. Pants my way through it. At the end of NaNo, I had 50k and was still in Section one. I didn't care. I had so much fun writing it. Diving into the story and instead of rushing through something to get to something else, I let the story play out as it needed. I won't be scrapping my outlining process, but I am absolutely going to find a way to bring discovery writing into my process. The best knowledge I go from my MFA at Full Sail in Film is each project is different and trying to work each project the same will not work.

[@pinkypromisevintage]

I wish I could have this mindset. I’m really struggling with the second book in my series. Sometimes I hate it, sometimes I love it. I want to get over myself and my perfectionism and just have fun writing again. 😔

[@Beefcakes1288]

Congrats Shaelin!!!! Great achievement achieved!!! You keep writing what makes you uncontainably happy ☺️💗 that’s what you were made to do! 🥳🥳🥳 💪🏼😎✅🍰

[@sophie5000]

YAY CONGRATS!! 💕🎉 honey vinegar is such an amazing story & you should be so proud of yourself! you’re amazing!

[@amiliar2656]

This is so inspiring! I can't wait to read it!

[@everydaysam3547]

Congratulations! So happy for you, girl. Can't wait to read this book in the future.

[@NagisaNiki]

So psyched to read! Definitely going to pause whatever I’m reading to read your book 😂. You’ve motivated me to go write too lol. So ready

[@kimwicks5540]

Im so SO happy for you!!! I've been here for such a long time and been so looking forward to reading H.v ♥️😭

[@kuzingatia7962]

I'm so overjoyed for you!

[@greentokyo]

Congratulations on finishing Shaelin!

[@lilybennettnitsche6227]

Congratulations! I've been subscribed to your channel for around 3 years, you were the first person I ever subscribed too, and its so cool watching you grow, and I love your videos, I'm really really glad that you finished your book and that it makes you happy :),

[@natassa9297]

Aahh congrats!! I'm in a similar boat. Been loving the process of writing my novel and letting it take its time

[@maya-gur695]

Congratulations! It was so great watching your experience writing it.

[@bracerofplanets6274]

10 books! That's awesome.

[@greenbird6491]

Really felt this video yaaaaas gurl 💕💕💕💕

[@WriteratWork]

YES! I am HERE for this! Congrats again!! Keep being awesome! :D

[@sheylamoon]

This reminds me so much of myself tbh. Im currently writing a short story, and i have much more fun writing than i had in a while because i did it how i wanted to and trusted my abilities again. In 2018 i did nanowrimo with about 51k words but forcing myself to that speed made me really dislike the story. And that then made me doubt if i can really be a pantser, if im a good writer etc. I didnt write for literal months and after that was so doubtful about everything i produced. Only at the start of this year, im not sure what happened tbh, did i really start actively writing again and enjoy it! Its one thing to say "i write for myself" and to know you probably should do that, but a whole different thing to actually really do it. Also, I'm so excited for honey vinegar! Cant wait to read it, and congrats!

[@gristlevonraben]

I am very happy for you. I'm proud to call you a fellow writer.

[@LeviHeatonIII]

I am proud of you for letting go and creating your art rather than trying to please a demographic. Congratulations!

[@elliebee9692]

I’ve been so scared about writing for a class recently. Quarantine really got me down and it only made it worse. I’ve been past the deadline for my first draft of my short story for multiple days because of this embarrassment I felt whenever I reread what I had. It was the same insecure feeling I had all the way back in middle school it was really strange. Anyway this video made me feel a little more up to writing, so thank you! I hope I don’t fail lol

[@sovietta133]

I love you Goddess Shaelin. I don’t know you but you’re awesome. I feel like we so much in common lmao And one thing I want to say, if you love your book even if its bad, it just means you love what you do. But if you say it’s the best thing ever, you’re just lying to yourself. Hypothetical you’s not you you.

[@dannylam4180]

Nice one, Shaelin :) Sounds like you're entering a new season in writing. Keep fighting the good fight! PS..any where I can read your stuff?

[@kxrimgh]

loved that reference to the good place lol

[@Kyrana4102]

The writing process of your book sounds so great! I feel you with all of this:D specially with this fun of writing that suddenly came back in my life right after I started to write again... It was just an Idea; a single scene and I was feeling it so much and I just wrote it in my phone. But never was drafting so much fun like this time! Because I'm just writing it on a document; puzzling the pieces together that I'm figuring out as time wents by. And at this point I don't care if I choose the best words. I'm just allow myself to get the right scenes in my head and just putting it on the paper. I'm just very curious myself how the story will come together in the end... (I'm from germany; excuse my English please;) )

[@hatezis]

Congratulations, I'm really happy for you :)

[@tell.me.mor.]

I love this so much

[@idyllwilde281]

congrats shaelin! i’ve been keeping up with your channel for a few years and it’s been a large source of inspiration and knowledge on the writing craft. i’m trying to start a novel (but holy crap junior year is destroying me). what’s your next step for honey vinegar? the premise of your novel gives me a summery nostalgic vibe (idk why) but it makes me want to dive headfirst into writing and try to find a writing style. (why is this comment so long?!??) i’ve wanted to major in either art or writing and pursue that since i was little, but it still doesn’t seem plausible and my parents see it as a pipe dream. but thank you for the inspiration! i love your videos and you seem like a lovely and very articulate and intellectual person!! best wishes! xoxo

[@yoongoongi4349]

For me, my story was kind of reversed. For years and years and years I was ONLY capable of writing short fiction. I had attempted writing novels a few times and ultimately failed, so then just spent a solid 3 years only focusing on reading voraciously (150+ books a year) and continued writing short stories and fanfictions and whatnot. Then through all the reading and writing short stories, I noticed LAST year my stamina and pacing in my writing improved tremendously. So my goal this year was to write a novel. I finished my first draft about a week ago and now I'm letting it sit until my eyes are fresh enough to edit it and I honestly MISS writing it. So now I'm just back to working on my short fictions in between. But yeah, I just thought it was interesting how for both of us writing short stories really helped to improve our writing. :)

[@ValeVin]

I love discovery writing =] I've always struggled with outlining. Though I had a book ready to go in my head that was put off by other novel deadlines, so by the time I finally got to write it, it had been living in my head for three years. I felt like I knew the story inside and out because it played whenever I'd go for a walk or do yard work. That was the first book I outlined and wrote successfully from the outline. It took 14 days from the first word to the third draft and it's one of the best things I've written. But... I tried outlining my next novel and because it hadn't lived in my head for three years, it just didn't work. So I'm back to discovery writing, at least for the time being. Something else I noticed about outlining was that the book felt 'done' in my head during those two weeks. Normally, when I start writing a book, my brain is constantly working hard on it, coming up with new ideas, revisions to what I've already written, new directions to go, things like that. When it was outlined, my brain just... turned off. It continued working on the next three books instead.

[@ShaelinWrites]

That feeling of your brain turning off because the story feels done is EXACTLY it for me! My creativity feels like it just puts on its sunglasses and takes a nap because it doesn't have to work anymore lol

[@winnmiller6012]

HUGE congrats to you Shaelin. This is GREAT news most definitely!!! So proud of your accomplishment...REALLY!!! (Also, if you want to print out a prototype, you should be able to check out Lulu.com. I think they can print your book WITHOUT the CRAZINESS that Kdp (formerly Createspace) does. I.e., they do NOT put that irritating banner across your cover--which COMPLETELY ruins it. Anyway, much happiness to you Shaelin going forward with your project...😊.

[@EDDIELANE]

I wrote 4 1/2 books this year so far and I totally get what you mean about hating the results. BUT> that fast writing makes for some really good foundations to get into later> like bumpy worked in clay, ready to be moulded into something better.

[@ShaelinWrites]

Damn 4 1/2 books this year? You're a machine! Keep killin' it.

[@EDDIELANE]

@@ShaelinWrites I mean within the last year from this point, lol! not THIS year. Hah. But they were big. Two novel sizes, and two novellas. Crappy prose, all filled with cliches and no tone or voice, but thats a perfect place to start revising I think.

[@ammarif618]

Heartfelt Congratulations to you.

[@avonacolyte]

It's staggering that you could write a book in a year, let alone two! I've been chipping away at mine for nearly three!

[@cf7815]

Hi, I love your videos! I was wondering if you could possibly think about making a video giving tips on how to come up with an idea and plot for your book? I love to write but I find it very difficult to decide what to write about and what story I want to tell. Have a good day/night! :)

[@marioksmith]

Congrats and keep up the hard work!

[@AAAReviews]

Awesome sauce!

[@rodrigomandetta3944]

Congratulations!

[@minch333]

Nice! Pretty good advert for your book tbh :)

[@butchbrittany1208]

That's awesome.

[@amberflowers4]

Honestly it amazes me how you are able to write books so fast. Like 18 months is insanely fast for me cuz i have adhd I am lucky to get a chapter out a month. Do you have like a writing routine?

[@leehunts4327]

Congratulations! Are you planning on publishing this? And, how long is the book?

[@annmanzo]

Yep, I hated my first book and certain sections I hated to write , beta's loved the sections I hated, so I kept them. the next one, I took my time and I like it and am a better writer. Yeah, respect the work.

[@lexingtRick]

Writing a bunch of other stories is natural and a good thing to do in a writer. Then, when month or years go by, returning to reading that story is a good experience, because a writing is never good enough. So, the decisions is like, " Should I make it more visual?" Some part are okay. But visuals are not for everyone. So, many decisions could be.

[@skywa7183]

Shaelin. Why did u delete the book unboxing it was so cuteee😭

[@ZiziAil]

I’m soooo soo sooo stuck in my first book. It’s not working for me and not giving me the feels I’m looking for 😭 Last night I decided to give myself a break (the more I learn about the world and characters the more confused about the story I want to tell)

[@3polygons]

Kudos!!

[@AbbeeRambles]

fricken proud

[@clr905]

POST IT LETS READ IT

[@schlubbelybub]

Congratulations! How did you decide on the title?

[@roser6047]

How did you make that intro typing sound?

[@ladyursala]

When are you going to query it?! 😄

[@ninanadine1185]

looks like im the youngest here.... love your videos!

[@InfidelProductionz]

If I had half of your work ethic, I would be happy.

[@kanishkagupta9899]

I don't think I would ever achieve this. How do people even love their book before, during and after writing it? I mean, because of this, I could never ever finish the first draft and never cross the 20k threshold. Like, IT'S SO EFFIN HARD

[@cmrobles]

Nice!

[@acsmith1771]

Have you read Amy Hempel? @ShaelinWrites

[@jenniferd.6401]

Is your short story collection available anywhere?

[@ShaelinWrites]

Not at the moment, I'm still in the process of publishing the stories individually before I publish the collection!

[@shaysnow320]

Shaelin, it seems that you have a problem of an overwhelming critical voice, as many writers do. Writing 10 books and completing them is amazing (!!!). Not wanting to publish any of them because you think they all suck is not. It will never be perfect, and not everyone will like it, but some will - and you should be one of them (write the stories that you want to read!!!) Read “writing into the dark” - it helped me a great deal with learning to deal with my critical voice = shut it up until the first draft is done :) )

[@ShaelinWrites]

Haha that is probably true, but if it helps I have plans to publish at least 3 of the 10, with one more currently getting rewritten (which I'll plan to publish as well), so luckily they aren't all lost causes!

[@hanazilinska4499]

What is the book about?