Write Your Book in 2025 - Start Here

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

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[@Grain-h7u]

The next year, I'm gonna write 12 short stories!! And I'll not just set the goal, but I'll keep a check system to keep me rolling on the right way! Thank you for the help that you've already provided with the write along videos I'll always have a way to start things!! Hope you have an amazing year to come, Kieren!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Excellent goal! Regular writing, lots of variation, sounds like a great idea to me. Thanks so much for watching, hope you have a fantastic year too!

[@WhatsWrongWithTheStreet]

I have several short stories I want to write, too. They currently exist in various stages of a couple of pages to near completion to new ideas barely realized. Your idea of one per month sounds like a great way to do it. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@marquisjh]

I’m working on 7 shirt fantasy stories and will combine them all into one singular book, I’m here with you on this journey

[@WhatsWrongWithTheStreet]

@@marquisjh I found that writing my first novel worked out well writing it in short stories, then, patching them together was an unexpected surprise. Best of luck to you.

[@Kinilaume]

I've watched videos by Gaiman, Sanderson, Rothfuss, and countless talented KZbinrs, vaguely considering writing something. But it was this video that actually made me put something to the page. This one is a gem and I'm absolutely following what you're up to now!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

You're too kind, thank you! I'mm glad it could give you that boost.

[@HarvestLockwood]

I have been in a huge writing slump for like five days, and your plea for us to pause the video and write for one minutes made me go write for 30mins, so thank you so much! You helped me get out of my slump, which was honestly killing me.

[@quelnariemrah5624]

I have a half written story from years ago that's been poking my subconscious. I'm going to read it, then start a rewite. This year, I'll complete it.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Go for it! Sound like a great idea.

[@Ensignfilms]

You are so right about instincts. There are so many videos out there where they give examples or templates that simply do not work for some ideas. Yes, a novel needs to flow nicely and keep you interested but there is more than one way to Save The Cat. If your idea really doesn't fit the standard templates then its probably just what some readers are looking for?

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

That's what I think as well. Instinct is a better guide. By all means people should try everything, but ultimately follow what they feel fits for them personally.

[@TedMattos]

I've missed you, Kieren! Good to see you back. Have a blessed 2025, my friend!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you! You too!

[@rivervlogs274]

Decided to take a break from writing today. I'm a newbie writer and I'm on chapter 5 of my first draft. Hoping to finish my first novel in 2025 ☺️

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

You can do it! You're already 5 chapters in!

[@JosephCusumano-u6h]

How do you know what to put in each chapter?

[@rivervlogs274]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting Thank you! And happy writing✍🏼📓

[@rivervlogs274]

@JosephCusumano-u6h I do pants mostly in the beginning of the story & let the ideas come to me. But having a general idea of where you want your story to go helps too. Plotting makes things easier😊I picture scenes and then make an outline and start writing them. Hope that helps! Goodluck👍🏼

[@xavier_sb]

Simply wanted to show appreciation for this amazing channel you've created and all the great advice you have given. Thank you for helping me to get back into writing.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you so much! That's so generous of you ☺️ I really appreciate it!

[@xavier_sb]

1:41 I don't know why, but this gave me a laugh. Which was unfortunate because I had just taken a sip of my tea. I just finished writing out my New Years resolutions, and since I'm so bad with consistency in regards to anything, I decided to keep each simple and easy to manage. One of the resolutions I made was to "complete a first draft of my story." I had made the mistake of looking up how many words per hour a person should be writing, and have now become painfully aware that I'm missing the mark, which, of course, is a bit discouraging to me. But I've chosen to push those thoughts out of my head and simply focus on writing and remind myself that it won't happen overnight, but if I quit it won't happen at all. I don't have a goal for how long I want my story to be, so it's difficult for me to state that I want to finish it next year. But I do believe I can at least have a first draft done. So that's what I'm aiming for. Also, I've stopped referring to it as "writing a novel/book" because that just feels daunting. Now I just call it "writing a story." Really takes the pressure off.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

That's genuinely how I do most of planning! 😂 Absolutely follow your own compass in terms of how much you write each day. The numbers for any other writer are irrelevant. I think there's so much variation and subjectivity to that that it's not even worth creating an average for. Consistency is way more important than speed. No writer was ever asked 'why do you think the book turned out as well as it did?' and answered 'because I wrote it really fast'!

[@barrygreenejr]

Subscribed! Your content is right up my alley and looking to write my book. Thank you for this!

[@KennyPitts]

Wow, what a wonderfully uplifting video, can't wait to start binging your others. Great writing advice, for sure, but also applicable as general motivation. Thank you Kieren, very inspiring.

[@tomsimmonds534]

I recently published a book of poetry, but I yearn to write a novel or perhaps short stories, l think it is a big leap from poetry to novels also, l am put off by ' character arcs ' plot building etc, also procrastination... Great post

[@lewisharwood3870]

The man is back!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

YOU are the man my friend!

[@LiteraryStoner]

Thank you! I'm in the middle of writing my first novel and plan to publish it next year. Great advice! Have a happy new year!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Happy New Year to you too! Good luck with the book!

[@jacintatate]

Thanks so much for this video and Happy New Year. I enjoy following your tips and tricks and applying them to my writing. It is exciting once you can break through the first paragraph and get into a rhythm. : D

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Happy New Year!

[@jaekim121]

This was greatly motivating! I've had ideas and half baked concepts swimming in my head for years but I've never truly committed to putting my ideas to paper or writing anything past a first chapter. I decided to get seriously back into writing and hopefully, one of my many ideas will become an actual novel by the end of 2025. Thank you for this video, you've given me a better idea of were to start!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

That's great! Thanks for being here, stick at it, and I wish you the very best of luck!

[@kylehibshman6619]

Whenever i get a new sketchbook, i scribble on the first page. It gets rid of the "what if i mess up my nice new sketchbook?" Anxiety. Maybe people could try something similar with writing? Write a few paragraphs of pure nonsense... then write your first real line on page 2.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I love that idea. I think that's a really smart approach.

[@grumpypunch3910]

Hello again! After a bit of a health scare, I am back on the writing train. Thanks for the content mate. Hope you had an excellent xmas and new year! All the best for your writing goals in 2025. I've got a short story I need to think of and build for the Edinburgh comp ((ends at the end of Feb). Here we go!

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

Instincts are a big thing, even when brand new, and its important to learn to listen to them, and trust yourself

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

They really are. I can understand people feeling reluctant to follow them when they're new and they think they don't know anything, but if they can manage it, I think it's really valuable. Happy New Year Joey!

[@havvaalexander9520]

This is what I wrote : Let me sing like a bird, broken yet still with voice though winter has come again; may you never have the reason to sing as I.

[@SaraWritesFantasy]

Thanks. Waiting for the next video 😊

[@braydenpresley1437]

This video was great. You definitely earned a sub.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you! Appreciate it.

[@davep6603]

I realize this video was about writing a book, but it’s inspired me to write just a single article. I have one in mind, but procrastinated nearly all of last year. Thank you!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I'm glad it could help! Writing is writing, so I think a lot of the same concepts apply. Good luck with your article!

[@smarrinucci]

Just subbed...looking forward to learning from your wisdom.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you and welcome!

[@ChancellorMarko]

Great advice! I always say the best thing to do is just get the story ideas out on paper. Dont even read it back. There's always time to revise the story as your writing craft gets better, which is never a thing that stops improving anyway.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Exactly! I agree there. Stopping to revise mid-way has rarely helped me, and often slowed me down a lot. Like you say, you'll be a better writer by the time the draft is done, let that better writer handle revisions.

[@premkumar-dp4ub]

My 2025 preparation already started in December. Your immense guidance help us to write and put our ideas properly. Big love from India ❤

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you! Hope you have a great 2025!

[@DigitalNovelist]

All great tips for beginners. Especially the point about following instincts. It's one of the most difficult things to teach new fiction writers, because everyone has to learn it for themselves and how they write. Also the part about taking most writing advice with a pinch of salt is spot on. Truth: Most companies or gurus selling out of the box writing advice and systems don't write a lot. They're too busy creating content or business products to sell. All the more reason to turn off KZbin and go do the one thing guaranteed to make you a better writer - write.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Hey that's great! Sometimes you really just need a pattern-disrupting bump like that. I'm really glad it helped!

[@Leon_K_24]

Saving this to my desktop!

[@amandatavares4741]

I paused the video to write here: I want to give you a hug! 🤗♥️ hahahaha All this video was so precious! Thank you!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks for watching!

[@unicorntomboy9736]

Now at age 27, I want to finish my book this year. I have a full, completed 75,000 word first draft, and have started working on the second draft. I ntend to get into querying and publication by the end of the year, in both French and English. Joe Abercrombie is one of my biggest inspirations. I often worry if i started writing a debut novel too late in my life, which i feel mentally holds me back a bit.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

You definitely didn't! It's never too late, but seriously, at 27, you're super not too late!

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

I'm trying for the 'no 2 skipped days' rule this year. My biggest issue is that I'll do well keeping momentum, until I get stuck on a scene or reread something I've written that feels rudimentary and below my skill level (at least the level in my head), that my insecurities stop me from continuing for a while. I'll take weeks off while I just think about the scene constantly, trying to fix it in my head, without actually working through it. No more of that this year!

[@elchiponr1]

Write multiple thing synchonically. That way you wont get the burnout/depressing guilt of trying to force yourself to be creative and move the plot along. You just switch to a different project and the breathing room for your brain will do wonders for actually coming up with ideas without the pressure :)

[@elchiponr1]

And you can also just have a lot of fun, and try things like differing pov and tense

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Oh that's quite the goal! I also stall my own momentum by reading back sometimes. It's hard because I feel like I need to assess 'how I'm doing' but then I find I just get stuck in 'improving' what's already there. I think no two skipped days is a good goal though, as long you're kind to yourself with what you consider to be 'working'. Revising and planning and thinking and trying, is all work in my opinion.

[@ravenbellebooks5665]

Since i have multiple PoVs, I've done a bit better with bouncing to another character's chapter. That was only a recent discovery/ experiment, though, so I'm going to keep this in mind moving forward!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I love doing that too. It feels refreshing to me!

[@harrypearle9781]

CREDIT and THANK others, all the time, with stories of how others help. (I think we can get trapped by focusing too much on our own talents) ===================================================== TNX

[@harrypearle9781]

tnx

[@jananidevanathan703]

I'm going to write a fantasy book, and hopefully I won't get in my own way 😅 This isn't the FIRST time I've written a book... But this IS the first time I've had so much preparation and I'm excited to start 😊 The goal is to finish at least one book this year... We'll see where I go😇

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Excellent! Sounds like you've got the motivation part working for you. A year is a long time, you can do it!

[@ShondaD_]

I would love to write a book to be impactful and help people in meaningful ways,,,thing is, I’m still learning about different things in my life, still improving my mindset, and still accomplishing goals. Not sure if I have anything to write about right now.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I get what you mean, but I also think we should never stop learning! I don't think we ever 'master' life really, it's always a process of learning stuff, we don't need to be an expert to still have something valuable not say.

[@trickyplays240]

Please review the Freewrite writing device

[@AngelineProductions]

My problem is that I’m good at writing a beginning and I know how the story is going to end…but I freeze when trying to figure out what goes on in the middle (you know, the meat of the entire thing). It’s so frustrating, and that’s why it takes me years and years to finish a draft of anything 😭

[@TheVioletWolf]

I'm on the middle, and I havent hit the dreaded slump I've heard of, so I'm happy about that. But the imposter syndrome has been eating away at me. Still doesn't stop me, but it's nagging.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

If it doesn't stop you, you're doing it right! Imposter syndrome never really goes away for me, I just have to ignore it. Getting through the middle without noticing a slump is a good sign too!

[@nashptv]

Have an idea of a book that I’ve been wanting to write for a decade now. But can never seem to grow it into more.

[@epicwalrus7183]

Oh, I love the idea of keeping a "North Star"!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks! It genuinely helps me get back to the ‘why’ of what I write ☺️

[@M1999-v4v]

I was going to hire a screenwriter to write my script but then I thought about it and I said to myself if I am a film producer I would not know the blood, the sweat, and the tears these screenwriters go through when writing a script because authors and screenwriters have to rewrite the book over and the script over. And if you never written your book and hired a ghostwriter you will be anxious for the ghostwriter to finish your book because you will not know how how hard it actually is to be a writer, even if you don't know how to write you must still get the feeling of it

[@georgiapayne2945]

I'm just writing the climax to my 3rd novel and then going to outline and write the 4th one. I'm aiming for 2026 to publish my debut. Absolutely bricking it 😬 Though I'm also planning 3 spinoffs and 4 other series as well 🤯 I don't know how my brain isn't mush lol 🤣

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I don't know either! That's some impressive brain box capacity! That's great though, having too much to write is much better than the other way around!

[@georgiapayne2945]

Thanks, Kieren. I totally agree. I'm so glad and relieved I've got loads of ideas 🤯

[@yasminsiraj3851]

I only have one idea for a novel that ive been trying to write for many years but failed to continue writing so i erase it and go over it again and just give up.

[@woodsman9427]

do you have a video how to outline your chapters for your book?

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Not specifically I'm afraid, I'm not much of an outliner myself so I don't have an established method for that.

[@woodsman9427]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting gotcha thanks for the replied and honestly i don't either i try a couple of times but i honestly do better when i just kinda go in blind without knowing what i want to write

[@Huecandoit]

New subscriber here! This is my sign to do mine ig.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Welcome! Absolutely, give it a shot and have fun I say!

[@sistersaffire1773]

I have already wrote my 1st novel . How do you recommend that I Edit, Format and Publish It?

[@77grand]

How do I develop a plot when I'm mostly only sure of the location descriptions and vibe of the story?

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I think in that case, what might help is discovery writing. Just begin and see where the story takes you perhaps. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself and just lean into what you enjoy writing, the plot might not be super sharp and clear in your writing (mine's similar a lot of the time) but that can be absolutely fine, or it may just take time to uncover it a bit more.

[@lizzyagatha]

Glad my writing is not like this, I just write, it flows, I cannot type fast enough or I write till my fingers creak - which can go on for hours - day after day - till it's all down and I naturally reach the end ---what is hard is the editing -

[@Midoron0Z]

umm, ok, but how about the book cover? or covers?, like what the first image i should put'in?, like just a text?, orrrrr, should i takes an-image from the internet and then i puts it like a cover?,

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Don't worry about that til way later! The important part is the writing itself. Once the story is told you'll know what you want the cover to be!

[@guardianfish7718]

I also find choosing titles to be easiest when the story is finished, too!