Write Stories (and Essays). Not Sentences.

[@DavideRecchia]

I like the toaster analogy. That's why engineers have to answer two questions: "Did I build the product right?" and "Did I build the right product?"

[@MichaelHayes_s6]

And hopefully they start with the second one!

[@mikesmithz]

Best channel on youtube.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

That sounds like it could be hyperbole--but I'll take it! Thanks a bunch!

[@mikesmithz]

@WritingwithAndrew 100% true! So when will you be writing a companion book to your KZbin series? Or even better, a complete (paid for) series of full length, in-depth lectures? A patreon account where you could have extra content or even help people with their writing? A forum you could maintain where we could all post our work and maybe get a little guidance from the Yoda of rhetoric himself?

[@WritingwithAndrew]

@@mikesmithz An excellent question that is! I've had passing thoughts about several of the above...but I have not made the time just yet. Maybe I'll think a little more seriously now about what that would look like :)

[@Islaras]

❤❤❤

[@kendalljones99]

I found this channel a few days ago and have been binge watching it. I recently started journaling and became interested in poetry, in spite of being a little long in the tooth (I'm 52), and this channel has been an absolute goldmine. Thank you very much for sharing your hard work!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks for the binge--and the kind words! I'm glad you've been enjoying it all

[@nidhishshivashankar4885]

This might be one of my new favorite KZbin channels. I’ve never heard anybody articulate the idea of construction so well as opposed to treating writing like an exercise in description 😊

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks so much!

[@Lamsaturn]

I think this is good advice for artists of all disciplines, not just writing!

[@user-vc1km3es2z]

Thanks for the video Andrew! I wish I had this video 2 years ago, when I put writing my Master thesis on a almost-2-year hiatus. The trouble was I felt overwhelmed with the enormity of the task and writing a single sentence made me think about the hundreds of others I would have to write, and that was just too much. I've come to realize that this is a pervasive problem for perfectionists -- we refuse to think about anything we cannot immediately comprehend perfectly. You'll be happy to know that therapists tend to give the same advice you do, albeit with a more holistic goal of helping you accept imperfection. Fingers crossed I finish writing the thesis this week :) I have all the structural elements down, it's now just a matter of writing good-enough sentences! Feel no need to reply, just wanted to underline the importance of what you're saying :)

[@WritingwithAndrew]

How could I not reply? With only one week left, you've got this! Good-enough sentences is exactly the way to go: like I heard all the time when I was finishing my dissertation, the best thesis is a finished thesis :)

[@omorfaruqakib965]

You suddenly gave words to a phenomenon I experience so regularly - not thinking anything I cannot grasp immediately! Thank you! Like, really really thank you❤ Hope you get your writing done successfully😊

[@tvbowl2039]

Andrew amazing content, keep sharing what you’re interested in, you have blessed me.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks a lot--I will!

[@MambaB]

I've been sinking in this rabbit hole watching your video's as the bumbling student making every newbie mistake. My process of writing my thesis was EXACTLY like your wire analogy get out my head good sir. 10/10 great content, thank you for sharing your wisdom so eloquently.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thank you--I'm glad to hear it was helpful (I promise I'm probably not reading minds...!)

[@BrandonWilliams-wf6hg]

Love the videos! I like the new animation style. You are slowly rising to the top of my favorite youtube guys list. tho I don't comment that often for fear of being graded on my comments 🙃 also been getting very curious abt that "alchemical symbols" book...

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks a bunch--learning the new animation style may or may not be why the video was a day later than I originally planned 😅 And no worries about being graded: grading is my full-time job, and KZbin is off the clock lol (I should probably read that book...then I could tell you all about it...)

[@amaechi3801]

Another banger my man, you being a lot of value

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks!

[@Cyrus0w]

I plan the structure of my writing to the point I become paranoid and afraid of writing anything at all ("analysis paralysis"). How to balance structure and sentence by sentence writing? Are there particular methods you have found useful in your experience?

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Planning is useful--unless it prevents you from actually writing! In that case, it might be useful to take a section of a piece you've planned and just freewrite for a while, putting that larger plan on hold while you do. A good plan will help you get started, but don't feel like you have to get the plan perfect on the first go--that's what revision is for 😉

[@Cyrus0w]

@@WritingwithAndrew "don't feel like you have to get the plan perfect on the first go" I think THAT is where I have been feeling so afraid, getting it perfect first try; I will definitely do more freewriting within a given section to get over that. Thank you, Andrew :)

[@richardglady3009]

Thank you. I am a poor reader, I hope this type of analysis-for structure will hopefully help. 300 pages, I maxed out at 35 for a paper for a Quantitative History class. I look forward to each new (for me) video from your channel. I hope the lessons will help me become a better writer. Thanks for the free, college level English classes.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

You're welcome! I hope they do too

[@niraakara]

Well made points unraveled by the artsy toaster, much like the websites conceived by the designers, who think users are around to appreciate their “art” (well not you… to the one who might wander by… so I don’t incur their wrath). Would this apply to all types of writing? There are times when I’d rather just read Kawabata’s seductive, mesmerizing prose without all the gory plots (to the point of being perverse)… that I often wish didn’t get in the way… between the lull of the lyrics… perhaps it’s just me and it could only happen with Kawabata, or such. A show about nothing, is still worth watching… when done well? Thoughts, please?

[@illrain4life]

Man the toaster example. Was exactly what I was struggling with. I did a presentation. But I don’t think I delivered it well. I’ve been struggling with structure for a while now

[@WritingwithAndrew]

It can be a hard mindset shift for a lot of people--a presentation with the added pressure of performing in the moment doesn't help, though!

[@johejjj]

Thank you, Andrew, for the insightful video about thinking structurally before writing. It really has changed my perspective. I wish there was a demonstration about writing just as the demo for the toaster analogy.

[@Islaras]

So thankful for the existence of this channel ❤

[@Khatoon170]

How are you doing mr Andrew . Thank you for your wonderful educational channel. Can you imagine iam only Arabic lady subscriber to several British and American KZbin channels. Actually i studied English both language and literature till second year and left college it’s will of god not mine. One kind lady told me you learn better than university students as subscriber. I gathered key points about tips of writing good essays such as use evidences , scholarship, organize coherent essay , write clearly, cites sources and evidence. Easy essay for beginner is expository essay . The essay at least include three paragraphs. The good tips for writing story are write interesting, believable characters including various types of conflict. Keep consistent through line . Use script writing software. Raise stakes of your characters including memorable ending . Use dialogue effectively. Thank you again I hope you like my research and all of us native and no native speakers appreciate your great efforts. Good luck to you your dearest ones .

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks a lot!

[@popiipuuu7716]

HI! I just want to say thank you! I am student (I study Polish language) from Poland and I really admire your work. Writing don't seems that hard right now. Thanks!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Hooray--yeah, it's easy! Thanks for the kind words!

[@thomasbeall5323]

Extremely helpful! Thanks!!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

You bet!

[@ErrybodyGetTypsy]

Thank you for this lesson! I am definitely a "style over structure" writer and I needed to hear this. Also, I loved the toaster analogy and the accompanying animation! Keep doing what you're doing!! I know myself and tons of others are getting a lot of value out of your work!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks, that means a lot!

[@gettingthere007]

Great analogy! Nuanced advanced writing advice is so hard to find! Can you talk more about “dead giveaways” for amateur vs professional writing or how to avoid looking like an amateur?

[@gettingthere007]

Or new vs experienced

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks! And, yeah, that's a good suggestion--I'll put it on the list and start working on some things!

[@danagreen6518]

nice job, worth the teaching effort, thanks for doing this series, enjoying the ride

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks, glad to hear it

[@appleslions4934]

This was a very enlightening video, Andrew. I definitely see how my past self wrote and edited "sentence by sentence". Now, I approach more structurally, ever since I've implemented drafting in my process. I know you suggest writing an outline prior to writing, but personally, I prefer to jump write in, find the structure therein, and chip at it till the finished product. Reverse-outlining, if you will. So I'm curious about what your feelings are on discovery writing and/or pantsing. If you have already covered this in another video, I'd love to watch it.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks--it really depends on what I'm writing. I'm all-in on outlining when it comes to academic papers and other similar things, but I can't write poetry that way. So I guess it depends on the project--and the person

[@appleslions4934]

Thanks for getting back to me and sharing your thoughts. Yes, I certainly agree that it depends on such factors. @@WritingwithAndrew

[@picante5885]

Excellent video as always. My writing continues to improve after watching your video's.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks--I'm delighted to hear it!

[@CrossTrainedMind]

I review technical books and I'm usually dismayed by the overall structure of the book. If it's a good structure, I'll mention that. I doubt the average reader of a programming book cares, but it matters to me.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

As it should! Understanding structure is like looking at the whole world with new eyes

[@farziltheweebo4841]

❤good video

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks!

[@LordHarryWotton]

Brilliant! I always enjoy your content.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks!

[@SaimQ-yz2cl]

Does a biography need to have a purpose? I’m writing one about my mother and I don’t really know why I wrote it but I just had too

[@WritingwithAndrew]

With something like that, you can consider your intended audience--why would your readers want to read it? A biography for a major political leader might be interesting for the way it gives readers insights into history. But, on a more personal level, the biography of a family member may serve the purpose of collecting memories for posterity or something else. If it really had no purpose, it wouldn't be worth reading--but I bet this biography is worth reading, so it might be helpful to think about why (and that answer might even clarify your process as you write it)

[@callmewhoever]

Plz do a video on diffrent types of poetry n break it down. (From a poet perspective)

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks for the suggestion--I'll put it on the list!

[@ajayrajsinghmehra5229]

Respected Sir, I appreciate your efforts, thank you so much for sharing such informative / educational videos . Your way of teaching is super amazing. You have control over your voice, such a warm and welcoming tone, Sir. Videos on Puntuation, Poetry, Writing skills etc. All were fabulous. As a literature student I always try to learn/ understand the basic concepts of language, terms, writing skills, etc. So this is my one of the favourite KZbin channel. Sir Richard Livingstone in his essay The Essentials of Education, mentioned the importance of literature and history. Any education that neglects the study of literature and history is incomplete and is a very inadequate preparation for life. Sir I will be grateful to you if you please give me some tips on how to be good and have command in English literature or any other subject. And also, how to remember important Quotes of Essay, Novel and Play . I'm not able to remember and write in the Paper. "Close the window that hurts you, no matter how beautiful the view is" Sir, this is one of the famous Arabic Quote . When I found myself in situation like this, the quote automatically comes in my mind, and I haven't put much efforts to learn this. Thank you for reading, Sir .

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks for the kind words and insights--I like that quote! I think the best way to learn really is to practice, a little bit each day. As for remembering quotes, a lot writers (especially long ago) had the practice of writing down quotes in a notebook so that they could refer to them later or include them in their writing. I like to keep useful quotes and their sources in a digital file so that I can go back to it--that might be a good place to start!

[@ajayrajsinghmehra5229]

Thank you so much Sir for your guidance !

[@matthewoneill6181]

Nice work. Please consider removing the sounds the skull dude makes. It might help to make the skull guy's sound louder and more distinct, or put space in your speaking while it sounds, as if you had dialogue with it.

[@lakeshagadson357]

these a way you can write words or sentences in a essay or paragraph book

[@TheMijoAaron]

Lol the end of What now section was clever

[@DavidLeeHolcomb]

What happens to a "pantser" in this situation? Stephen King (for example) is not creating an outline, he's creating a setting, a selection of characters, and an inciting incident, and then just launching the process from there. How would structural thinking apply to someone using that approach?

[@WritingwithAndrew]

It might come in later in the process: after doing the exploratory writing, stepping back to see what's going on and then enforcing a little structure in revision

[@DavidLeeHolcomb]

@@WritingwithAndrew Thank you! I think I can manage that. I'm enjoying the videos.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Glad to hear it!

[@bigbiggoblin2873]

mmmmm toast. Good vid.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

Thanks!

[@majorhumbert676]

I'm a programmer and I experience exactly the same phenomenon when we review each other's code. "The code looks ok, great job 👍" However, there may be no comments on whether the overarching approach is reasonable.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

lol, I don't know if I'm glad or bummed that it's a more universal thing

[@nicholasparakokwa5649]

Linguistic prestidigitation...🤯

[@WritingwithAndrew]

🙂

[@Khatoon170]

May I have question sir ? . Are you teacher at school or at college.

[@WritingwithAndrew]

I am!

[@johnxina7496]

what does it mean for writing to have purpose? I find joy in writing stories that touch upon people's heartstrings and leaving them with feelings that stimulate their overall feelings and mood. Does that qualify as purpose? Or does purpose mean to have something grand to say or a lesson to teach through the writing? Thank you very much for the video. Great insight!

[@WritingwithAndrew]

You could think of your purpose as whatever you'd say if someone asked you why you were writing something. I think leaving your readers with a particular feeling or mood is a great purpose (and one that a lot of poetry has). So, in that case, you could step back and ask what your writing needs to do in order to evoke the right feelings and then focus on accomplishing that

[@IslaKapantakofficial]

Good day sir Andrew. Is there a chance i can at least contact you? Like facebook.