So you finished writing a book! Now what?

[@luisdiaspires7618]

I DID IT TODAY! After 4 years I finally finished it!

[@beautifulandmotivated3181]

Luís Dias congrats!

[@sri5497]

Luís Dias What is the genre of your book?

[@helobeetch2628]

YAY

[@syenindiaa5888]

Yeah me too!! Anyway congratulations dude!!!

[@donutsareforever1950]

Mine is still in progress. Whats it called? I vill read it. Congrats.

[@Laura-zu5ib]

last night after 4 months of hardcore writing while unemployed i finally finished my book at 92k words and then immediately burst into tears lol. waiting to start the second draft will be the hardest part

[@girlcometasteandseepsalms348]

Keep going! You have got this!

[@hgreenwild8867]

Lot's of revising. That was the hardest part at first. Now I love it. Each time I revise I also expand and find new ways to bring things about. This makes our stories that much better. By the way...totally going to marathon your videos while I write today.

[@dwretrostudio982]

I been writing my mystery book for almost 6 years now and I finally finished it and can’t wait to get it out to the world 🌎

[@theK48]

Updater Please!

[@napigirlpretigirl]

How did it go

[@dwretrostudio982]

@@napigirlpretigirl it's getting close hopefully this year.

[@dwretrostudio982]

@@theK48 it's getting close hopefully this year fingers crossed 🤞🏾

[@madmadame1508]

I finally finished mine this past Sunday, thank you for all your help these long years.

[@msmageautrice]

Thank you for the video! I just finished writing my second book and YEAH!!! Time to celebrate and have a social life! I was going to wait for 2 weeks until revising, but I will take your advice and wait more... like... 3 weeks... XD

[@galaxylucia1898]

I just finished my first fantasy novel and I’m proud of myself! I’m giving myself time to forget it by working on book #2 before I began the revisions process for book #1

[@napigirlpretigirl]

Update

[@voreason]

I finished my book and I’m scared of someone reading it. Terrified. But I want to publish it lol

[@napigirlpretigirl]

Did you publish it?

[@LilyMeadeBooks]

"I'm gonna make another video about that" should be your tag line, LOL.

[@AlexaDonne]

It really should be.

[@dominussharith9016]

I DID IT! AFTER YEARS OF TRYING. Now for this specific one I started Jan 15, 2021 and finished Nov 24, 2021.

[@napigirlpretigirl]

update

[@sri5497]

I finished my first draft of a historical fantasy that adds up to 99K words two days ago. I’m planning to take a two week break like u suggested but I really am having trouble with finding writer friends who know my genre. But the problems are for after two weeks, right now, imma celebrate.

[@noyou113]

Can I potentially get an update? How did publishing etc go.. or are you still waiting? Lol

[@siasarchiveoflife3434]

I’ve been writing my novel for 8 years, I’m nearing the end of editing it to its fullest.

[@kachiis5621]

Hi alexa. Contacted you on Instagram about my dilemma on whether to write historical or fantasy. Your response was amazing, Just want to say your videos are so helpful. Please continue.

[@empressspace8110]

I would say both mix it . I'm sure it will end amazing .

[@xo9o]

Did you do a video on how to format the book for submission?

[@girlcometasteandseepsalms348]

You are encouraging! I love the way you are. Thank you for your knowledge and feedback.

[@yonisz9732]

I'm writing my first 3 chapters for over 7 months now changing them every day. leaving it for a few weeks and reading again.

[@Addie_48]

I just finished my 30000 word book/novella it’s been a looooooong 9 months

[@nilanthiherath5841]

I did a prose. Thanks for your advice

[@DwynTwo]

I FREAKING DID IT, I'm so excited I can't sleep!! And I need to share with likeminded people!! I'm 29 now and it's been my dream to write a book since age 13, but I never got it done because I couldn't get past 100 pages! 740 pages now, let's go! Almost done editing it too, I'm so happy!

[@adiegiese23]

Can you do a video on which edits you want to do first then last before you have someone read it?

[@Gogetty]

I will do it tonight. Great video.

[@gregtegreg]

Hi, can I please have an advice: what is the best path to take for a first book in terms of publishing? Should I make it paperback or go online on Amazon, Google etc? Or all?

[@rico421]

I started my book on paper March 2020 I finished my rough draft on paper last month.. the hardest part is transferring everything onto my laptop

[@samanthajungers8442]

Ugh, I’ve gotten through two drafts of my wip, on the third one. Both times, I didn’t last more than a week before starting the initial read through.

[@seeyouspacecowboyx]

If you're worried you aren't accomplishing much with each edit, here are some ideas. First analyse each scene you've written. What does it contribute to the overall plot? Write a short summary on a notecard and make a literal storyboard. Step back and analyse the structure of your story. Are there parts where a necessary emotional beat is missing to get a character where they need to be? Add it where it needs to go. Are there multiple scenes which all have the same function to the plot? Condense them into fewer scenes to reduce repetition. I think seeing it laid out like that can really help. Once you've revised for plot and character motivation, read through and highlight each character's lines of speech and thought in their colour. Then read through just to check their lines fit their character, that their voice is consistent. Think about what words you as the author overuse. Do a control F for those words, and clean up the narration. If youve used any words which you aren't 100% confident of the definition of, look them up in a reputable dictionary. If they don't mean what you think, or you used them as a synonym but they don't convey quite the tone you want, replace them with a better word. Don't make thesaurus soup; different synonyms are not interchangeable. I'm a plantser, in case you couldn't tell. I have colour-coded character notes, notes from my research and world-building, and an overall plot outline. But I couldn't outline in a lot of detail, I need to find where the emotional beats lie that propel the action forward. Adapt my revision ideas to suit your style of writing and where you know your weaknesses lie. I know for myself I need to clean up the dialogue to make sure each character's voice is consistent and recognisable, for example. Use my ideas as a jumping off point; research revision more and think about the work your book needs to really shine.

[@seeyouspacecowboyx]

A big thing that helps me is reading my writing aloud. You get a sense for what's working and what's clunky. Does that line not suit that character? Maybe if you read it aloud, and compare with some of their other lines, you'll find a better wording. Does that line of narration feel too long and awkward? Read it aloud and see where your mind stumbles over the text. See where you can break it into smaller sentences. Rework it. But remember, these line by line edits must come after the story edits. Developmental edits. You'll be wasting your time if you worry about each word or sentence, when there's still work to do on the story. Look for structure and character first. Are your characters who need to be dynamic, too static? Does your character who starts out passive and is supposed to become more proactice achieve that? Are all the characters' motivations clear? When there's a key character moment that moves the plot along, does it make sense for the character, is it earned? This is all hard work, but you need to do it before the line edit. If you pretty up the writing in a scene that you later realise needs a complete rewrite or even to be scrapped, you'll have wasted your time, and you might not be willing to do the brutal edits that could be needed.

[@jacindaellison3363]

I'm here because I have finished my first draft! Plan on waiting 4 months before I start editing.

[@CRiver396]

I need to fix all the misspellings

[@mattmallecoccio8378]

I've gotten really REALLY excited when I have finished one and published it on KDP WAAAAAAAAY TOO SOON and I'm glad KDP has an unpublish option cuz I had to revise it PRONTO after I bought my own copy. Yeah... That's how excited I got. Rushed it and bought it like that (insert finger snap)

[@shelbygroat4945]

I just finished writing my book, loved how it ended (even though my readers' wont) ive gone back through for my first reading and realized HOW many times i hurt my main character... i had to fix that 😂😅

[@rosemchaney7655]

My book is a children's book . Kinda frozen as to the next step!

[@maceyzinck938]

How do we edit to add words/grow word count? I need a video!!!!

[@donutsareforever1950]

I just finished first story. It took one year and a half. My mom is helping me edit.

[@telsataylor2032]

What’s the best way to write a book by a computer or by hand meaning pen or paper?

[@mattmallecoccio8378]

My Mom is my critique partner because she's the exception to your rule. She does NOT sugarcoat her opinion

[@Godlywoman88]

How do I find an experienced CP?

[@sigma.analysis]

I finished my book a week ago, during NaNoWriMo!🙌

[@telsataylor2032]

I don’t know we there to dump a book or hand it into my closed charity shop when I’m finished it, I’m being an avid reader well I’m 39yr old I used to be a book worm then I put myself of it now me being :9yr old and not known for birthdays and Christmas what to get me that’s why I started to read books again.

[@ayemoe8952]

Just finished the 1st draft of my book. Took a year and a half

[@gflfmotion6888]

Same

[@mattmallecoccio8378]

I've published books but not my first NOVEL yet.

[@NumberNeverLie]

If you start writing the sequel (or even just mapping it out), does that count as taking a break?

[@Thing9369]

Thx for the help

[@donutsareforever1950]

I am on chapter 7 on the book. The Quiet Society.

[@rico421]

How’s it going?

[@xpressempress-thespiritual7185]

Thankyou ❤️

[@TinaJackson-author7]

Hi there, my book is done.

[@leahw.426]

Just finished my first NANOWRIMO!! Onto editing lmao

[@notdoctors]

Great info!! Very helpful (and mesmerising eyes!) ;-)

[@LucianFromEarth]

Nonsense. I'm going to revise my book as soon as I finish it. Once. One revision. Then off to the publishing houses it goes. The self-publishing way. I have no idea what 'quering' means.

[@nootnewt3]

Most publishing houses are going to want literary agent unless they’re tiny ones

[@FutureMeek]

ccbib I think it’s sarcasm....

[@nootnewt3]

@Future Meek I can only hope.

[@telsataylor2032]

Can you ever glow old grow out of books I mean can youvever run out of books to read before I die.

[@brodymartin7319]

Can't wait for your new book

[@cedricrichard9961]

my draft is already 112 pages and 68,000 words

[@YouAreStarDust]

#BrightlyBurning

[@reggy6439]

2024 anybody

[@allafields7667]

#Ravenclaw4Life

[@englishnerd5580]

Ravenclaw4life :) Haha!

[@mamarsebai1548]

This was great, I have been researching "how to write a book title" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you ever come across - Yonallie Bookworm Blitzer - (search on google ) ? Ive heard some interesting things about it and my mate got cool results with it.

[@BreeBarton]

YAYYYYYY! YouTUUUUUUUUUUUUBE! :)

[@internalinjectiontrulyhere6182]

0%0 Alert Dream

[@TheoAnderson-v8j]

#Ravenclaw4life ;)

[@simplyizustic6122]

nonsense.

[@simonwells733]

I thought you were great in family guy