Writing Better Young Adult Fantasy: Part 2 - Big-Picture Elements

[@theunreadyone]

You are the most criminally underrated writing KZbinr I’ve discovered so far. You’re advice is amazing and you’ve helped me put so much. Of course there are other good writing channels, but they’re all big. You deserve to have a lot more viewers

[@tealfinger1120]

I wanted to take my time to thank you, like not for just saying it. I mean it from bottom of my heart. Thank you, thank you so much. I am someone who enjoys data, information, knowledge. I can't really express it but learning and understanding new things is what gIves me joy. It is like my passion. Learning about writing and everything that comes with it has always been much close to my heart. There are many resources in the internet for that but none like you. So, I wanted to tell you some girl in south Asia is really really really thankful for your such incredible and articulating video.

[@QuotidianWriter]

You're so kind! You sound like a lifelong learner, and I'm always happy to meet other people who are passionate about writing. I truly appreciate you taking the time to watch my videos and leave a comment. It warms my heart to know that my channel has inspired other creators to create. Keep writing! :)

[@EricHrahsel]

This is so cute

[@kiterafrey]

If you want to write a non-western setting and have an agent, I would ask them to help you with finding a sensitivity reader. They’ll know readers who already work with publishers that will know how to give good feedback and suggestions on adjustments that fit your world, fit sensitivity, & fit with what publishers are looking for. I’ve had pieces come through acquisitions that were read by a sensitivity readers before submission that felt like most of the world building had been fully removed. When we asked for the original manuscript we could see how much the reader pulled out, it was as if they felt anything non-western was going to be offensive. We didn’t take the piece, it was so far from done, but we helped her find a better sensitivity reader to work with that would be able to help her balance rather than suggest the removal of all world building.

[@AscendantStoic]

Just do proper research and if possible ask and pay for professionals to inform you about a specific subject when it comes to technical subjects that might take a lot of time to research on your own like history/science/religion/mechanical engineering/etc if it plays a critical role in your story. On the other hand the idea of sensitivity readers is kind of ridiculous and involves a harmful generalization, it assumes that all people from a certain ethnicity or sexual orientation or a country are some sort of hivemind who would all react the same exact way to your book, and that if one person from that group approves of your book then the entire group automatically does so which isn't even remotely true, people are far more nuanced than that.

[@kiterafrey]

@@AscendantStoic The purpose is less to get approval from one person for a whole group, but rather to help weed out the biases & prejudice from texts, as well as, to avoid stereotyping & outright offensive miss generalized context. It is a measure of accountability used to avoid racism, sexism, & xenophobia that plague a lot of writers (Americans by a landslide.) Being critical on ourselves about if we’re being racist or sexist isn’t ridiculous & a lot of Americans honestly think their bias aren’t racist or sexist when they clearly are. Need bred sensitivity readers, and as long as people keep acting as they are, they’ll still be needed in traditional publishing.

[@AscendantStoic]

@@kiterafrey There is no way the person working as sensitivity reader won't have their own baggage of biases and issues, also the stated goal of sensitivity reading in most instances I saw is to get approval of certain groups, which is like a said impossible and futile, offense is extremely subjective and what one person from a certain group might find offensive another might be completely fine with. Limiting creativity because you might be afraid have offended one group or another is a kiss of death to creativity in an age where getting offended is becoming a fad. And personally as a non-American I and many others consider critical theory to be a load of crap, majority of what gets called racist or sexist by activists online is not, most of the time it's something that offended their overly touchy sensibilities or at worst it's something that can be attributed to ignorance not malice.

[@cjpreach]

Diane - Your clarity in pinpointing elements of the genre is excellent, as always.

[@songsandstories9730]

That was wonderful thank you! I love your videos. Here’s my elevator pitch. “A timid girl from a town bound by dark forces of religion, learns that her mother’s bedtime stories of mermaids and water breathers are all true, and that if she can overcome her fear of pain and death, she can join them below the Sea to liberate her town from the stranglehold of darkness.” I’m learning so much from you. I’m keen to learn more about simple YA world building, and about how to flow seamlessly through each chapter (dialogue, time passing, actions, descriptions etc - how to link them seamlessly)

[@QuotidianWriter]

That sounds like a great premise, especially the part about her needing to overcome her fear of pain and death to join them! I'm so glad that my videos have been helpful for you. Keep writing! :)

[@fictionaldrew]

"Fourteen-year old MC chases danger after danger to prove she's the strongest, the fastest, the best - while her family and friends panic about what this behavior will do to the rest of them who can't keep up." It's the closest thing I have to an elevator pitch right now. Thanks for the video essay. Your work goes a long way helping a lot of people.

[@authorRobinneWeiss]

Gee, sounds like my daughter! LOL!

[@StreetpennyLP]

6/10 would read!

[@1kydes]

Do you think you can make a video explaining how to make one's writing flow better? I am aspiring to write a murder mystery right now, but when I read some acclaimed examples like Gone Girl or the Woman in the Window, I notice how seamless it is. Do you have any tips or suggestions? Thanks

[@Dante2831]

I don’t think I’ve ever clicked faster in my life

[@noonana31]

I can't describe how much you are helping me. Hugs from Brazil. I'll keep writing!

[@QuotidianWriter]

Hi there, viewers! An adapted text version of this video is now available on Medium: quotidianwriter.medium.com/how-to-write-young-adult-fantasy-part-2-big-picture-elements-6f3d62909d9d You can check out my behind-the-scenes notes for this video on my Ko-fi page! www.ko-fi.com/post/Behind-the-Scenes-Writing-Better-YA-Fantasy---Par-K3K01UHTX

[@jasonyntig717]

Diane Callahan - Quotidian Writer I know this isn’t the video but I wanted to ask you. Why do some books have their first lines in present tense and then proceeds in the past tense throughout the whole story?

[@ipsissimus4857]

@@jasonyntig717many reasons depending on which story you’re referring to, just know that if for some reason you found yourself doing it, you would then understand why others have done it. It’s going to be for an immersive effect, to contrast the level of bombardment on the reader so certain aspects of the story can be more impactful or less impactful, but always to prime the reader for the author’s intended effect. One thing I’d like to see in a book is the intro starting in the middle of the story being present tense, and then the beginning of the story comes in as past tense, because it’s leading back to the intro scene where everything will be told in present tense after that. Very cinematic it’s probably been done a lot and I just haven’t found it. Anyone with a lightbulb going off right now, go right ahead! Thank you Diane for creating this space for us to nerd out in!

[@jasonyntig717]

@@ipsissimus4857 thank you so much for the reply!

[@ipsissimus4857]

@@jasonyntig717 you should know I kinda don’t know what I’m talking about, educated guess at best.. 😇😇

[@jasonyntig717]

@@ipsissimus4857 hahhahha... always stay safe!

[@olivierdelain4442]

I love all your videos, Diane, and this one is no exception. Great, as always!

[@ruriva4931]

What stands out about my novel: It’s written in first and second person where the MC is a first person narrator and her lover is in 2nd.

[@klebercarvalho7219]

Your videos are juts the best thing ever for an aspiring writer. The editing, the script, the way you talk everything helps to make a better understanding of the topic. Truly, and I mean it, nice work. Your content is one of e the best the internet has to give.

[@Imran-Emu]

You should know that, you’re a great teacher Diane. Take 💕

[@emmanuellaeledu]

Wonderul content as always! Brilliant!

[@drishti8822]

After fantasy, pls do a series for dystopian too.

[@maxinist]

could you also do a video about tense and another one on appealing action/fight scenes, please? Thank you for the content, besides Brandon Sanderson's lectures on KZbin, yours is the best!

[@TheNovelNana]

I just subbed! I am learning more about fantasy writing, because I am starting a fantasy mini-series. Thanks so much for this video!

[@lungisanilucas7661]

I love you 😍😭😭😭😭😇, Just found the best youtuber as a writer especially now that I’m obsessed with fantasy, supernatural horror

[@lindenaho]

Running through the fields, wheat stalks grazed his body, little leaves slashing at him like a horde of angry knives. A cold breath kissed his neck, tickling the hairs and sending a chill down his spine. Not knowing if it was real or his imagination, Walter didn’t take the chance to turn around and find out. Deep down, he wasn't even sure he wanted to know. Pushing himself harder he popped out of the field running back towards the house. Stomping down the path, this time not trying to match his fathers stride. Just pushing his body forward, one foot after the other. Finally he swung open the door. The door slammed and he dropped a barcade bar into place with a massive thud.

[@evelynsierra2004]

I hope you can read my book when I'm done. It's going to be as unique as me, two books in one. Everything I do is a secret. Don't tell your right hand with the left hand is doing. I take that to a whole new level.

[@edenmckinley3472]

This was a fantastic video! I'm really curious about Every Heart A Doorway. I'll have to look it up. Alright, for anyone who's still reading these comments at this time, here are my answers to the three questions. 1. An elf boy with the ability to control earth has been raised as a weapon of war, but the god he worships calls him to be a prophet and save the entire Dwarfen species from the very elves who turned him into the monster he is. (Mind you, that's a lot of whittling down. I haven't even touched upon the earth dragons who mix chemical potions in their stomachs or the unkillable warrior witches who feed on souls. Or the unicorn herd who worships the moon.) 2. The world is inhabited entirely by elves and dwarfs, who each live about eight hundred years, as well as several species of intelligent beasts. The elves and the dwarfs have been enemies ever since their ancestors, two brothers, made the world mortal by drinking from a sacred fountain. They disagreed on whose fault it was, which escalated into a hateful, unending war between the two sides. Now the people wait for a Chosen One who will come thousands upon thousands of years in the future and make their world immortal again. Also, the elemental magic system is based on music because music was how the world was formed, and so by singing something akin the the Music of the Spheres, people can manipulate matter. 3. I can't really think of any way to describe my writing style positively without bragging, but if I had to choose, it would be bright, personal, and poetic.

[@mollyjanematlock]

Okay these sound like the coolest ideas I’ve ever heard. I’m not just saying that either. Truly, I would die to read it!

[@edenmckinley3472]

@@mollyjanematlock Thanks! I've spent a lot of time polishing them and I wasn't sure if anyone would find them interesting. I hope to self-publish on Amazon in the next few months.

[@mollyjanematlock]

@@edenmckinley3472 I would totally buy them! Please let me know when you publish them, because I would die to read them!

[@edenmckinley3472]

@@mollyjanematlock Will do!

[@stiankallhovd7041]

Hey, Diane! Thank you for making great videos! Your passion, as much as your content, makes watching these videos very enjoyable! Here's my attempt at impressing you with my project... I have myself taken a deep interest in philosophy, and have developed some ideas about the nature of the soul, and how an intellectual understanding of the soul and our emotional experiences can lead to greater wellness! 🙂 Rather than doing a PhD about these ideas and writing academic books, I'd rather present these ideas in works of fiction to engage a wider audience -- and hopefully make my readers a lot more passionate about these ideas! I've developed a magic system where a philosophical understanding of the soul and "mental life aspects" will lead to greater magic skill -- which is a reason for the heroes to learn about the soul and develop necessary abilities to succeed with their quest. Recently, I also thought about how I could use the metaphors of light and darkness in an interesting way, where darkness represents something important that humans are lacking and light represents the knowledge that humans need (e.g. knowledge of the soul) or perhaps a capability of the soul. I also thought about there being an external threat in the world that exists *because* of the "darkness in humans' souls", meaning that the only way for humans to defeat the external darkness (something that destroys lands and villages?) is for humans to grow light within themselves -- in some way, to improve morally or spiritually. Altogether, I think these ideas can work really well! Some of these ideas can work for multiple novels. And from the notes I've taken, I know I have at least two novel concepts in mind. 😊 P.S. I bought a notebook a month ago. It's so much more enjoyable take notes in a physical notebook compared to a computer document! Productivity has increased as well!

[@QuotidianWriter]

That sounds like a cool magic system! A strong tension between light and darkness is a universal struggle that I think will speak to many readers. Physical notebooks are a treasure. Keep writing! :)

[@abdifatahelmoge4118]

Maybe a lil too late, but go read some wuxia novels. Your concept sounds like enlightenment and the light and dark seems like yin and yang. read them for more research if you need it.

[@ProjectMathesar]

I love the Pokemon badge icons at 0:50

[@samarth.rangavittal]

So excited to see part 2 out!

[@SunnyLovetts]

Amazing content as always! Underrated channel! ♥️

[@mateonunez7748]

Lets marathon all your videos, again

[@xaviaoloman815]

What are your tips for writing chapter to chapter? Like I'm up yo chapter 4 and think there will be a couple right after that will be easy. But in terms of linking it all together and filling out the middle. Like I know I could write it and enjoy it but whether or not the plot is engaging for the audience I'm not sure. Love your work! Thank you

[@QuotidianWriter]

Thank you for watching and for your kind words! I talk a bit about slow middles in my "4 Plotting Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them" video, so that might help you tackle that middle section. Having a plot outline to follow, even if it's a loose one, might also help you link everything together and ensure you have enough story to keep the plot engaging. Keep writing! :)

[@greenergrass4060]

I cant believe its been a year!

[@SeeNof-mt2dz]

great content! thanks a million.

[@thedemonking0013]

My novel is a work in progress but it's progressing slowly. My mind was once sharp like a fine razor but has dulled with time and the pressures of the world. Once I could craft a world with a world with relative ease. Now I struggle to even craft a single being in a world that's nothing more than an empty space filled with random details. I want it to be my own but it grows harder to craft it as I lose myself trying to fit into a mold society has forged. If I am unable to be myself how can I craft a character to be their own not a carbon copy of so many others? I want to set it in a world where myth holds some truth. Where you may see a strong warrior who shows no hesitation when they kill yet you find out they do not enjoy battle or killing. They are calm and collected not cold and heartless. They do not succumb to anger or passion because they have committed terrible things in the moment they allowed themselves to lose the composer. Where one man's hero is another man's monster. Where a hero in war isn't a hero outside of war. Where the good and bad are not always as it seems. Something that makes you question if you should root for the hero or condemn him. I know it's not what everyone would enjoy but I myself is not what everyone enjoys.

[@benjaminkuti2009]

Yay!!!

[@jermainerucker2027]

Isn’t “His Dark Materials” just “The Golden Compass”?

[@EricHrahsel]

That was a good one

[@BenAC75]

Diane, tell me how this sounds good for the high concept premise of my story: Two brothers separate as young adults and later must reconcile with each other to help save humanity from the vampire king. That's an oversimplified version of the high concept premise/story idea. If you need me to go into more detail just let me know. Secondly, I am pulling from a lot of different mythologies. One of the ones that I want to pull from is Slavic mythology. Do you know some good sources on Slavic mythology and where to find them? I'm not having very much success at finding anything substantial.

[@QuotidianWriter]

I always enjoy stories about estranged siblings, so that premise sounds interesting to me! The vampire king seems like a worthy villain. The only good source for Slavic mythology that I know of is the Myths and Legends podcast: www.mythpodcast.com/tag/slavic-folklore/ Keep writing! :)

[@BenAC75]

@@QuotidianWriter Thank you for the link. I think it will help me out. Thank you for your help through your videos.

[@uriel4973]

Your vids really helping me out, i was a beginner and I love YA Fantasy novels but I'm Filipino and looking out for good english books any suggestions?

[@QuotidianWriter]

You might enjoy these YA books! + Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay (mystery with a Filipino-American protagonist) + The Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (classic fantasy with royalty and magic) + The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (urban fantasy set in London with djinn)

[@senseofwonder4062]

What makes a/my novel stand out? Let me see... First and foremost, a complete, equivocal display of forces which cancel each other out, and by chance, with a hint of talent, one side gets the upper hand.

[@brabra2725]

Is this a quote?

[@gothicwriter9897]

What stands out about my novel? Nothing yet as I am still writing the first draft. It is a reaction to the recent TV series 'Rings of Power' which I had to stop watching as it was poorly written. In part this was because I didn't like any of the main characters. Galadriel in particular was so unlikable I'm surprised one of her crew didn't stab her in the back early on. Haven't the writers ever heard of 'Save the Cat?'

[@rattusreads2531]

Its not just about survival. Its about coming to terms with the bad things you've done in your life.

[@brabra2725]

Can literary fiction be high-concept?

[@QuotidianWriter]

They can be, but it's more often from a character or style perspective than a plot or world-building angle. "Lincoln in the Bardo " by George Saunders is a fictional imagining of Abraham Lincoln mourning the death of his son, as told by 166 different narrators. "The Underground Railroad " by Colson Whitehead reimagines the historical underground railroad as an actual railroad, telling the tale of a woman escaping slavery. I would say that YA fantasy uses high-concept premises more than other genres, even within the broader category of fantasy.

[@brabra2725]

@@QuotidianWriter Thanks for the reply! PS your channel is awesome!

[@xChikyx]

What stands about my novel? It's lenght xD 340K words

[@themonarchofbaddecisionmak1405]

The moment I heard Sarah j mass I was thrown off.

[@SysterYster]

I think I have become ruined. XD I cannot see a single quote from texts now without turning on my editor brain. XD That's passive voice, that's passive, that's confusing, divide it, use a less cliché word... etc. XD

[@nicklang6798]

Creatures discover a human child on their planet. And the child has no idea how he got there

[@brabra2725]

could you drop the wokeness please?

[@gavasiarobinssson5108]

why

[@brabra2725]

@@gavasiarobinssson5108 this sensitivity reader thing is a disgrace

[@gavasiarobinssson5108]

@@brabra2725 It just shows that our time has dropped even the pretence of free speech and thus democracy.

[@brabra2725]

@@gavasiarobinssson5108 What do you mean?