Writing Lessons I Wish I'd Learned Sooner (aka how to stop worrying)

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TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - intro
0:51 - trust your ability to edit
4:14 - you're allowed your own writing philosophy
7:41 - value your opinion on your writing first
10:30 - embrace being a beginner
12:26 - 'good' is a meaningless bar
15:00 - don't stress over craft, prioritize curiosity
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FAQS
→How old are you? - 26
→How long have you been writing? - Since I was 8
→Where do you live? - I keep that private for safety reasons, but I grew up in Vancouver.
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→What are your pronouns? - They/them or she/her
→Where can I read your books? - None of my books are published yet, but you can read my published short fiction in my linktree (linked above!)
→So when will your book be published? - I don’t know! I’m in the revision process right now, but I can’t predict exactly when I’ll have a book published. But I’m working on it!
→Do you plan to traditionally publish or self publish? - Traditionally publish
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[@BooksForever]

I’ve been writing for 25 years. Videos like this are still useful while relaxing with a cup of tea; it’s like having a writerly friend who is able to visit on demand.

[@jodibrungardt3791]

Thanks for putting the right words in my mind. This is me as well.

[@hannahnames2239]

Point #6, specifically the importance of being interested in life and people, made me think of a quote I read in a craft essay that was basically "be someone on whom nothing is lost." I really love this sentiment and I think it's an important one for writers/artist to keep in mind. Just be observant, and you'll be amazed at how much depth can be found in the littlest moments.

[@ShaelinWrites]

Oohhh love this quote!! Do you know what essay this is from? I had a prof you used to say 'If you're observant, the world will gift you ideas' and I always loved that!

[@hannahnames2239]

@@ShaelinWrites That's a lovely quote, and so true! Now that I think of it, I believe the quote I mentioned was actually from the book, "writing shapely fiction" which I read for a class.

[@EmbraceTerror]

I'm writing a non-fiction on how to identify manipulators before you become trapped by them. Once I "healed" myself a few years back, I wanted to teach everyone the steps I took to get there. As I fell down a number of important rabbit holes that filled in much more knowledge than I already had, I realized that my observations (empirical evidence) did not match the mainstream psych industry -- my own philosophy of what I learned. I am very proud of that!! And it's taking longer to finish my book ... lol.

[@loganplonski922]

Your second point is actually such an important philosophy to have towards everything. It's okay and actually good for people to be different from each other, and if you're upset about that it means that you need to spend more time sitting with yourself and understanding what your personal values are.

[@17goffshas]

The flaw with that is someone's philosophy could be 'to interfere with the philosophy of others.' This form of relativism is an inconsistent philosophy. We can and should judge others, and some philosophies are better and some worse. Only the person must find their philosophy in the light of others.

[@beatricedambasea4026]

I used to hate being a beginner I felt I wasn't getting it fast enough so maybe writing isn't for me. But now I'm enjoying the learning process. Even the experts say they are still learning. No need to rush. Just enjoy the process. Happy writing!!😊

[@susanscott8653]

If it'sof any consolation, there are writers - published, accomplished writers - out there, who I respect, who are even now, in recent published work, making what I would consider to be rookie mistakes. Now this is only my opinion, and I am precisely no one of any authority, so maybe it is just my own pet peeve. Or an editorial mistake, but it comforts me that even experienced writers don'tget it right all the time.

[@annaconsta]

Writing is therapy for me. I write for selfish reasons, to get negative emotions out of my system. But even so, each time I wrote something, someone else also liked it and related to it. Speaking about not catering to others! You don't have to cater to others, as there will always be someone who relates to you regardless.

[@Shardai_smith]

It's wild how easily I've cut things out this week alone. I'm comfortable cutting full paragraphs because I know what the full story would benefit from

[@taniaandjameswoolf-ben-avr3901]

(Tania of the two names you may see here) Why do I write? Because you can only hold your breath for so long. I tried to stop writing once, it lasted 3 weeks, then the stories started multiplying in my head, and the voices of characters started screaming so loud I worried I was losing my grip on reality. I started writing again and everything settled down. That probably sounds a little melodramatic, but for what it's worth it's true. Mostly for me writing's an attempt to make sense of the world, and of myself. Thanks for making these videos, Shaelin, they're great for triggering contemplations (and providing reality checks)

[@bttmofthebrrlstudios]

My kneejerk answer to "why do I write" is usually along the lines of "I enjoy building characters and sharing their lives," which is true. But thinking about the sorts of /stories/ I write... I really enjoy bridging the gap between the serious and the ridiculous, taking an outlandish concept and making it work realistically. I cut my teeth writing fanfiction for lighthearted and comedy IPs, and it's very easy to give them a wash of angst and call it a day. I enjoy the challenge of Reconstruction (as Tv Tropes calls it)/secondary deconstruction of tropes and balancing the heartwarming with the bittersweet. Great video! Thanks for sharing with us :)

[@marywong9976]

Cannot express how relatable this video felt to me. I took a really long break from writing because the pressure of having ‘excellent’ craft, of producing writing that fit into some pre-conceived mold I had about “publish-able” pieces was pushing me further away from the reasons I wanted to write in the beginning, and was honestly just anxiety-inducing. So why do I write? My instinctive response is a fuzzy one, something along the lines of a love for beauty, and of sharing beauty with more people. But hopefully the search for why I write brings me back to loving writing again.

[@budzik8223]

Wishing you that. I'm still having a veeeeery long break from writing because i couldn't handle how rapidly my work changed as i wrote and had to go back to edit over and over again. Those were times where i didn't know where to seek advice and haven't a clue about outlines and other writing methods. And then my depression got worse and worse and I also developed OCD that prevented me from writing a thing for years. Now that i'm on meds and also seeing a therapist, i hope to rediscover myself as a writer and go back to the craft.

[@ZoesWeirdThoughts]

I want to write books for early readers and early chapter books because little kids deserve good stories and they don’t have many. Lots of people are so focused on teaching oversimplified lessons they forget to write a fun, interesting story.

[@arcadelinkauthor]

On a fundamental level, I write because I love words and the power they have. Beyond that, I've loved telling stories since I was 8 years old. And now, added to those reasons, is that after a decade of work trauma, finding success with writing appears to be the only path where I'll be happy.

[@ec9401]

I write to share an inner experience with others; to connect. Thanks again for your thoughtfulness.

[@durona]

Amazing video, Shaelin! I write because of fond memories I have as a child reading books when the world around me didn't make sense. I want to instill that same sense of wonder and escapism in others that the books I read gave me.

[@tyefiles3750]

Thank you, I was deep in valley of despair with my novel last night, but this helped me climb back out

[@joshbryant6366]

the bit about striving for continual beginnerness is profound and applies to all art in all mediums!

[@eleanorball7906]

In thinking about why I write…..I think it’s because I just can’t contain my imagination? It feels so big, I NEED to write it out, explore it, dig into it more deeply than just daydreaming would allow. (I mostly write speculative fiction.) I wouldn’t say I’m interested in what it’s like to be “a human” in general, I’m instead extremely invested in this handful of specific humans I’ve come up with, and I just can’t not dig into their stories.

[@ShaelinWrites]

I love this answer, I related to this so much!!

[@cannedcondensedmilk]

you took the words right out of my head LOL this perfectly describes how i feel about writing

[@nikweson9915]

At every point in my writing journey for the past 4 years, you've always had some insight into what I've been struggling with. Thank you so much for your work!

[@ambermcneil250]

I enjoy being in control of a world of my own making. Directing the lives of characters I created, introducing conflict and having them problem solve. But I write the stories I would want to read.

[@markborok4481]

Love your points. I write for the language first, just as I read for the language. I've given up on books if the language in the first few paragraphs felt flat. I like crafting dialogue, too, but that Is a subset of language. Raymond Chandler and P.G. Wodehouse are two of my heroes. Twain, Dickens, Austen all go without saying. I try to keep in mind that the average reader will want to find out where the story will go next, but a part of me wants to see if I can write an entire chapter about an old lady puttering around her house, without advancing the plot at all, and write it in such a way that the reader will want to keep reading.

[@ShaelinWrites]

Ohhh as a total language geek I love this!

[@NeoPokebonz]

I'm four weeks late! But if you're still here, that's an amazing goal. I finished Altered Carbon last year and I'm STILL captivated by a scene Morgan wrote with Kovach in, uhh...bazaar isn't the write word but it's all I got. The scene was just Kovach smelling cooked squid wafting through the air and, I guess, just FEELING all the memories associated with that scent. I know that sounds dumb and potentially boring with how I described, sorry, but I DREAD writing moments like that. Always too afraid I'll bore somebody since I constantly hear about our suddenly short attention spans. That scene though ALWAYS sticks with me though. It really reminded me how comfy and warm and amazing a good book can be

[@Nate1975]

Writing is mysterious and I love tapping into the magic of it once you align with it. The process of writing is fascinating to me, it takes one places one doesn’t expect. I also love the challenge of it. Writing is really hard work

[@billyalarie929]

Wow. #2 was a revolutionary reminder to hear. Thank you so much. *glares hard at Jenna Moreci*

[@Earthstar444]

Shaelin, you were the first KZbinr I started watching and I’m so happy you still post and are helping others grow alongside you. Your videos are always helpful and I hope your days are filled with nothing but warm sunlight (unless you don’t like sunlight).

[@jonbrouwer4300]

In answer to the discussion question at the end; I write because I keep imagining strange places, and am curious about the lives people would lead in those places.

[@skylerjumper]

you have NO idea how much i needed to hear all of this right now, i feel called out but like in a good way

[@mrsrussell85]

Long time subscriber, first-time commenter (I think? 🤔) I write because it makes me feel good and whole, and it's a form of expression. I love getting lost in the world's and the characters I create. Escapism isn't a dirty word 😅

[@iwaslikenope1070]

You're an angel, Shaelin. Thank you so much for this video! When I started writing, the reason I pushed for was that I wanted to be cool (I mean, I was still in high school so I guess that's understandable? 😂). I wanted to make crazy high fantasy stuff, but that always meant sacrificing the humanity of the characters. They always acted cool at the time and they weren't even given space to make mistakes, which is important for characters because mistakes always drive a character forward. Seven years later, I have learned that I write because I am so fascinated with the human experience. Human experience is typically horrible and tragic and funny and beautiful all at the same time, because that's life and we are all chugging through those same wheels despite coming from different parts of the world. My stories have become relatively simpler over time because I am more interested with writing deeper and more nuanced life experiences. Having experienced grief, it made me realize that I want to write stories the way I know - from a place of understanding and compassion, even though I write about horrible people sometimes, because real life is full of wonderful and horrible people. This is also why I am so in love with the stories you have published online so far. They're so full of interesting people, interesting experiences, that it just feels so validating to hear and read about someone who is also so fascinated with writing the human experience in mind. So thank you so much, Shaelin! More power to you 💙

[@thesamuraiman]

Trusting yourself as an editor is, like, real eye-opening advice. Thank you for that.

[@loltrol3920]

I write because all my life I’ve been amazed time and time again by the human mind , and what it is to be human, the bonds we make with each other and just how different a person can be from another. I love psychology, and I’ve been creating stories in my head as long as I can remember , and with writing I can materialise them as well as do a little study on the human mind. I’m currently writing my first book and I’ve found all of your videos super helpful! Thank you for sharing.

[@courtneybill3840]

lorrrrrd i NEEDED this. i've been dealing w writer's block recently cus i've been stuck in my head every time i start to write, anticipating what my workshop will say. i worry more abt perfecting the craft than investing myself emotionally in the story and characters. watching this feels so motivating to try and work on writing for myself and my own excitement rather than trying to create something "good" that my workshop will fawn over because that's impossible. LOL. thank u

[@AdamFishkin]

The big lesson is: Believe.

[@lightpuffle]

On the topic of feedback, I heard a very apt quote, “If you wouldn’t go to someone for advice, you don’t have to take their criticism.” I personally found that helpful.

[@shielanaguit4559]

This was so helpful! Your advices were not only applicable to writing itself, but life in general. Much love, Shaelin.

[@osbornsaura]

Thank you! This video has helped me give myself more permission to express everything that is going on inside my mind through my current chosen method of self-expression, writing. At this moment, I write because I noticed that as I write (type) the story of my life experiences that got me to where I am today, and re-read what I type, and then edit my story as I work through my personal development and understanding of my life events, I feel better inside. As I write, I feel more love and appreciation toward myself. As I re-read what I write, I understand myself better which helps me feel more compassion towards myself. Thank you for helping me gain a boost of confidence, helping me get out of my own way (pushing my ego aside), inspiring me to pick back up writing my story to help me continue to understand my story, to help me continue to unconditionally love my authentic self.

[@beatricedambasea4026]

I write to explore my imagination. See what I can come up with this character or that situation. I overthink little things like crazy. Writing has been very helpful in freeing my mind.

[@andyallan2909]

This is a excellent collection of very important points. Well done. We live at a time where there appears to be a movement which says that we are all human, we're all the same and we should all be striving to be the same. This results in the erosion of diverse cultures, the rise of the same bland popular music, the same this, that and everything else. Writing is no different, in that the world would be a much poorer place if we were all the same. We should be celebrating diversity and difference. You're so right, everyone should be striving to do what they want with their writing, and they should ignore the unfriendly criticism, listen carefully to friendly and constructive criticism and take from it what they think is of value to them. You're doing everything your followers value. Keep on being you, and thank you.

[@GayLordAbsolute]

i've been watching your content for so many years and your advice never fails to resonate with me and the work i'm doing in the moment, thank you so much!!

[@jodibrungardt3791]

I write for so many reasons which I have delineated for myself in my journals. I think the most important ones worth sharing are, as you said, for the art of it... the marvelous words and innovative ideas, but also for the pleasure of pen in hand, and last, sometimes for problem solving and a little self counseling. Such a good question, Shaelin.

[@reaverofjillsandwiches]

I've always wanted to write as a sort of therapy. A way of dealing iwth my own crap. Plus I've always come up with different characters and scenarios ever since I was a kid. But I've always let things get in the way.

[@munafruit]

this is a top tier shaelin video 💖 thank you for sharing. why i write - your reason resonates with me a lot actually, but it's not my biggest. i think my biggest reason is because it's cheaper than therapy. i know that's a cliche people say all the time but it is also TRUE hahaha my other big reason is i genuinely love my characters??? like i know they're not real lol but i care about them anyway and i want to tell their stories for them in a way that is "faithful" to their "reality". that might not be my biggest underlying reason but it's probably my biggest motivator if that makes sense, like it's what makes me feel compelled to do the actual writing part lol

[@ShaelinWrites]

Okay I love everything about this comment I could not agree more!!!

[@ratworm9927]

I haven't watched this yet, but I wanted to drop in and say that your videos have helped me more than I can wholly articulate. So, thanks for being cool. Good soup.

[@DrewHardKor]

This was such a wonderful watch. I'm sort of reminded of a professor who once told our class that our papers were all going to be failures (ouch, lol), but it was actually really freeing to hear that. We no longer had the pressure of producing a polished or perfect seminar paper, but recognized that all first paper drafts are always going to be messy, experimental, curious, and so on. As I move through this writing project I'm working on now, I'm inspired to worry less about it being "good" and lean into a sense of excitement and curiosity about the story. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@deborahfuentez1556]

thank you ❤ I'm a new writer i needed to hear this

[@adb5162]

Lots of very wise advices here Shaelin. From my experience as a learner in various crafts, I concur that you summarized the recipe for improvement.

[@Kaitaritz2013]

I loved this video Shaelin. I’m super overwhelmed by the pressure to make my drafts publishable and it’s turning me off writing.

[@Troygdesign]

Realness vs theoretically perfect. This really engages my brain as an artist ( I’m not a writer ) but I really have been pondering this question for a while. I’ve never put it into those words exactly , but all that to say, this was really good to listen to, and I really feel like the idea you have about the pursuit of good being somewhat misleading at a certain point’ is really a important topic that’s barely talked about. Nice to hear someone stepping back and talking about it .

[@Lara_Ameen]

This video is absolutely wonderful! Why I write… I write because I have so many questions to things I don’t have answers to and I need those answers. I write to discover aspects of myself and others. Mostly I write for the representation I never got to see growing up, especially as a queer, disabled, non-binary Egyptian person. I’ve actually been thinking a lot about this question, but in a different context. I wrote my first physically disabled character in 2007 in fanfic for a small/not popular fandom and because I wrote that character, I’ve been writing characters like her ever since in my own original TV pilots, novellas, short stories, and novels. However, I also realized I started writing about disability much earlier (specifically mental health/illness) in 2005/2006 (also in fanfic, same fandom). But it didn’t occur to me that I was writing about disability/disability themes that early. Also, there are themes that I love from TV shows and books that now constantly appear in my own writing from fanfic to novels to screenplays. It’s very interesting to think about. This is exactly why I write.

[@mamasighs1482]

Really appreciated and needed this today. Am on sub right now, and while that's wonderful, it has blocked my inner voice and I can't move fwd on my wip. I can only think of the editors' rejections and just how difficult it is to sell a book, even after u get past the hurdle of getting an agent. Thanks for ur content, Shaelin. This video Will hopefully help me tap into "why I write" and "writing without worry."

[@ShaelinWrites]

I’m on sub too right now so I know exactly how hard it is💛 hoping for the best for us both!!

[@Nate1975]

Feedback is super useful whether you use it or not. Integral part of the writing process

[@heavensxnt]

I think the reason I write is to connect with others. I want to know the things I think and feel are the same things other people are thinking and feeling. Also I’ve started doing really bare bones first drafts and it’s really shown me how much easier it is to work with something rather than nothing. Being able to see that incremental progress has helped me not feel like I have to have a perfect first draft. Writing is rewriting as they say haha

[@pjalexander_author]

This is brilliant. I love your point about the creative aspect of writing being something we learn but can't be taught. Kind of taking "read a lot, write a lot" to another level. I also agree that craft exists to serve our writing, not to be the objective. Writing is purely a passion for me, and craft is something I try to harmonize with my creative expression rather than stifling it, which is something we can easily fall victim to if we focus on the wrong things. Great video. I always love your perspective.

[@thestockimagequeen]

Dude. I loved this SO SO MUCH. You soothed a lot of my writing anxieties; definitely make more of these in the future if you want! Love this💛💛

[@lexietalionis]

I love your perspective. Very helpful.

[@darthnaylor]

I think I write to capture momentary or fleeting feelings and to explore paths not taken and the person I'm not... related to your point on not projecting your philosophy on others but in the other direction, I remember a line from a Woolf essay that went something like "...the first thing you must do is shoot the angel in the room." The idea that you must jettison the expectations pushed on you by others is so important.

[@attorneylang]

This video is so real, so inspiring. Thank you, Shaelin.

[@maxsinclair787]

to the question why do I write... because I've had a story rattling around in my head since I was in my late teens and when life isn't getting in the way I can't help but try to get some of it out... covid has given me the time to make a good start on it, I finished the first draft of the first book in the series and have started editing it, I started another book in the series but got stuck at 15k words. I don't know how many books will be in the series but I know that I write them for me, and if some day I finish them I may consider sharing them. I like your vids keep up the good work, I look forward to being able to buy your books.

[@ReissTube]

I feel like if I went into my creative writing career in college with these notions, I would have actually enjoyed my time in that program a lot more.

[@kyrieelissa]

Your advice is so brilliant, and this video made me feel so free and confident. Thank you for each and every video, Shaelin! I'm learning so much from you.

[@ellienishino2240]

To answer your question, I think the reason I write is because I want to give back and let others feel the unimaginable things I have felt while consuming other people’s stories. Stories have made me feel like I belong and am not alone. They’ve made me form connections with characters that I can get excited about and think about all day long. They’ve given me a place for my mind to rest, to be held, to escape from the anxieties of life. If I can create something that gives that to someone else, that's my biggest dream--and ultimately, what keeps me writing.

[@EmbraceTerror]

You seem so much more relaxed. Nice!

[@applepie9937]

That was so motivating thank you ❤

[@Invisse]

I write because it's fun to me. Obviously writing can be easy and very hard at times, but it's still overall a fun experience: hanging out with the characters, seeing them overcome the obstacles and hear their little witty remarks. So yeah, writing is fun to me :)

[@annietan]

After watching this video I pulled up Anne Lamott's Bird By Bird and read her "Sh*tty first drafts" essay again followed by her essay on perfectionism. I'm hoping to finish a first draft of my memoir this weekend and this video was so helpful to just remember to get the words down and clean em up later! Thanks Shaelin for your videos and inspiration these past few months: longtime viewer, first-time commenter!

[@ShaelinWrites]

Eepp good luck on finishing your memoir, that's so exciting!!

[@annietan]

@@ShaelinWrites thank you so much!!! Haven't done a ton yet today, hoping to change that 😂

[@ateaseknitting]

so helpful!

[@TheReadingWerewolf]

This is really what I needed today

[@joshuafaulks7230]

I always seem to revisit this video every time I get a form rejection…like today 😂

[@authorgreene]

Why do I write? I enjoy reading well-written writing and happen to enjoy the craft of writing myself (in contrast to something like painting or playing a musical instrument, both of which I enjoy but can't do). I also have these entire book ideas in my head. I write to make them a reality.

[@LordDawnWreaver]

I write because I want the world know my world, my characters, and so much more.

[@sarahcohen2688]

My reason for writing is romance! But works of fiction can't just be about one single thing, so you need to create a story around the romance, with different outside elements. I love a work of fiction where everything comes together, with good plotting that elevates the romance!

[@nessiefanatic]

the teachable aspects of writing are like the least important ones. like no one STARTS writing just because they like syntax

[@ShaelinWrites]

okay TRUE

[@gristlevonraben]

I like to create worlds, and have fun making others laugh and share ideas with me.

[@catcreme]

i have the opposite approach to writing philosophies -- I think everyone else's writing philosophy is better than mine and that somehow they uncovered some deep writing secret I'm still figuring out

[@majorzipf8947]

“Why do we tell stories? To try to make sense of a world that can be terrifying and enormous.” Brennan Lee Mulligan

[@MrFright2010]

"Catering to feedback - esp. after sth has been published..." That's a jab I saw coming.

[@ShaelinWrites]

Wasn't a jab haha. It's just, from my experience, easy to overthink your published work.

[@ClaireSamuelsVA]

Any advice on how to edit? I never learned to do more in-depth editing because I have forever been a “get it right the first time or you’ve failed” person

[@randallwindleofficial8237]

Does anyone know a good resource to get feedback for a query letter and/or book proposal? Thank you :)

[@Greatermaxim]

I write before the A.I does it all for us.

[@BlackHermit]

I'm afraid my answer to your question is going to be disappointing: "30. If Will stops and cries Why, invoking Because, then Will stops & does nought. 31. If Power asks why, then is Power weakness."

[@tejaswinisureshkrishnan4228]

Just started act 3 in the book and realized that there are so many things that must be changed and now I have to start from the beginning I'm so sad😭

[@susanscott8653]

You will notice that you are already a better writer for having done all that previous work. Good luck.

[@Aryaissuccessful]

Is there any book you've published that's on Amazon? I'd love to read it. Just saying! ❤ Thank you for the videos 😊 Btw just a question, how much time does it take you to edit a novel? Of around 80k-120k words? I am just curious. ❤

[@ShaelinWrites]

None of my novels are published yet (I currently have a book out on submission!) but I do have published short stories all linked in the description. And honestly for how long it takes to edit a novel, it really really depends on so many factors, and there can be long waits that can extent it such as if the waits to get feedback are long, but I probably spend 1-2 years editing a book on and off while also working on drafting new stuff

[@Aryaissuccessful]

@@ShaelinWrites What a coincidence!!! I was just reading Tabula Rasa when I saw the notification that you had replied!! 💖💖 I was watching your other video and saw the short stories (links) in the description. I loved the short story! It was a TREAT to read your work! Your line edits were extremely creative! Like, I crept to the room, or Macella’s hair were piled on her head like a squirrel, I mean wow! These are just some that I can recall off the top of my head, but I loved the entirety of the story! It was my first short story, and I don't read short stories, but if this is how short stories are, I must read more! Yours was so rich, in the context that it had SO MANY details! There was a story looped around Louise, Marcella, Reece, the protagonist stealing gold bracelets and sifting through other people's stuff, and kicking Marcella out by framing her (wow btw), and the relationship between the protagonist and her mom was so interesting! There was much to unpack in the short story! It was brilliant. You're really a skilled writer! I wish your work gets chosen to be published! 💖💖 Don't forget to make a video on it! I'd love to read it!! 💖 Once again, sending best wishes and good luck! 💖

[@ShaelinWrites]

Ahh I'm so happy you enjoyed it!! Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!!

[@lexietalionis]

"Why do you write?" Hm. I write because it's fun to make up stories and entertain or move people with them--to take things that have moved *me* and find others who are similarly affected. And I constantly feel like apologizing for not having the skill to convey it as well as I first experienced it myself. I write to share my daydreams. And I write to let women (primarily) who have been abused in life--by life--hear words from characters they may never get to hear in reality. To find the true heroes out there, who are hidden and unappreciated, and tell them how amazing I think they are. I write to celebrate empathy and softness as the greatest strengths--to celebrate those brave enough to be vulnerable. I write to say it's okay for women to be highly sexual--to invite them to embrace their sexuality as much as their empathy and rationality. I write to show that these things are not in conflict but beautiful components of the complex creature that is a woman. I write to expose problems I've seen in certain philosophies and to present alternative ways of thinking--not as answers or solutions or The Correct Way but more as tools for rethinking some assumptions commonly made. Sorry for going on and on, but this was a useful exercise for me and I'll leave it in its raw form because it's honest. And maybe it will resonate with someone else.

[@alexacampbell2368]

damn i have never been this early before!

[@thisisarecycledaccount3366]

Neither have I!

[@u_t_d_s_h-1_a]

Writing stresses everyone out.

[@brothergerasimos-bd3pq]

I have a question: why did you cut your hair? I'm always curious as to why people change their appearance.

[@ShaelinWrites]

Because I like the way it looks.

[@PaulRWorthington]

Hey, why don't you have a Patreon? I'd happily contribute at the buck and episode basic tier.

[@ShaelinWrites]

Basically for two reasons, first because I don't believe in gatekeeping any information behind a paywall so I wouldn't want to put any extra educational resources on patreon, but also because I don't really have the time to create/manage all the perks needed for different patreon tiers since I barely have time to keep up with this channel haha. But, I do have a ko-fi if you want to tip me for the work I do on this channel! It's just liked in the description!

[@nicholasblakiston6297]

I write to paint a picture of a better world than this one. To me, good as it pertains to writing means well written.

[@ratworm9927]

hm. I think feedback is mostly how you figure out where your familiarity blindsided you to what's actually on the page. (that is one-hundo n' three (3) fundo% just me making generalized statements about my own experiences. don't take it seriously.) Anyway. Yeah. Nice video. Needless to say, the soup is seasoned with all the spices Britain didn't want anymore.

[@Speacefull]

Sorry why why speak so faster please speaking slowly for us we love you so much you're sweetie

[@keninadrequre2152]

Because when I don't, I am punished severely.