Writing Fiction & Poetry : How to Write a Novel

[duckibob]

hi

[max00799]

why dislike it cuz you didn't like the fact a person is on youtube teaching you something or this is what you weren't looking forward to



[ebigalake]

All i focused on was that clock in the back round...

[popeyeschikken]

Im writing one. Wont tell what it's called but my inspiration comes from J.R.R. Tolkien my favorite author.

[Levipaulsen]

This guy is a Beast.

[pulpedpoetry]

I find this so helpful, I think this will help me SO much, I'm so excited to keep writing!

[corneliusofdark]

Very helpful!

[catwomyn77]

That is a fine figure of a mustache.

[TheAleksmaks]

I wrote a novel that's historical Fiction

My inspiration was :

Crime and Punishment

My novel is here :

lulu.com/product/hardcover/les­-punis-les-exonérés/16339993

Punished and exonerated

also, it's in french.

[nightslash02]

@TheAleksmaks What publisher?

[barod1]

I want to do a Historical Fiction type book.

My Inspiration:

The Count of Monte Cristo

[badcat225]

i ment link

[kyana2145]

Santa Claus is coming to Youtube.

[TPleezy1]

@kyana2145 lol

[b11k22]

haha 0:01 i thought that quote was by chuck norris :)

[badcat225]

do you have the like for the questionair?

[wastedmoney15]

An appeaser is a person who feeds a crocodile,

hoping it will eat him last!

--Sir William Churchill.

[jayrunningbull]

@costateguise

Spelt is spelled "spelled."

[VincentBrooke1]

@jayrunningbull Not in the UK...

[allxtar]

the novel inside you needs to come out... this guy is a joke

[MrCorndogEater]

@allxtar How is he a joke?

Please explain what you have don ein your life, what you have achieved that makes this guy here a joke in your eyes.

[DerReisendeGaijin]

@allxtar

He told a joke.  That does not mean he is a joke.

[AlextheGreat011]

CHAPTER 1...

Being a 4th grade student s very tough. More of this, more of that,

more of everything. But we still get to play math games, But also algebra.

Is here for. We made this little spy group.

Thumbs up if this is a good story so far.

[costateguise]

@AlextheGreat011 It doesnt actually make sense. 1) First of all you dont write with numbers. So it would be fourth grade not 4th grade...2) "But we still get to play math games, But also algebra." This sentence doesnt make sense and you have put a capital letter after a comma. 3) "Is here for. We made this little spy group." I also can't see how that sentence makes sense...Its not going to be something that interests people. Especially if your writing to publish a book. Very limited audience.

[AlextheGreat011]

@costateguise It will take me about 2 years to finish. I got a LOT of time to edit. So, I woulden't correct me yet, and by the way, this is a fiction story, so it is, well relistic fiction. I am not even close to being done. I still need to work on it yes I KNOW I AM NOT STUPID. I COUGHT THE ATENTION OF HALF OF MY CLASS BY ANOTHER WRITEING PICE. YES I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS!! So yeah, um I am not done with it yet. You might still like my others though, my story is going to be way longer.

[costateguise]

@AlextheGreat011 If you want to be a writer...I would learn how to spell properly. 1) Woulden't is spelt wouldn't. 2) Relistic is spelt realistic. 3) Cought is spelt caught. 4) Atention is spelt attention. 5) Writeing is spelt writing. 6) Pice is spelt piece. - You would have thought that someone that has been writing for years would know how to spell the actual word 'writing'.

[AlextheGreat011]

@costateguise Oh just be quiet

[costateguise]

@AlextheGreat011 No problem. Additionally...dont be a writer if you can't take constructive criticism

[AlextheGreat011]

@costateguise I can take it.

[VincentBrooke1]

@AlextheGreat011 'parently not...

[GilliganKrueger0829]

Thank you so much! This was very helpful, but I have a personal question. Since English was always my weakest class in school and I was never that big of a reader, should I give up on writing and forget my stories?

[Jaytee1227]

@GilliganKrueger0829 No not at all. It would help a lot if you began to start reading but just because of poor grades in English class doesnt mean anything at all. English courses limit you to one way to write and try to deprive you of personality and character. Listen to guys such as this man who is a genius and join some online writing clubs. And again, it would help A LOT if you would start reading. Literature is the best art form besides music if you ask me so don't give up on it.

[Sm00th727]

I am a high school student and have become extremely interested in writing in these past few years. But what I've noticed is not only that my writing skills are not very good, but also when I look back at some of my writings I absolutely dread the sight of them. I have written an over 50,000 word memoir filled with grammatical errors and stories of myself that have become lies as I've grown older. And when I try to read I can never find a book of pure interest me. Please somebody help me!

[79Katylou]

@Sm00th727 Stop worrying - you're a teenager. Not a lot is going to "purely" interest you right now. And teenage years are the wrong years to write a memoir - you're changing all the time because these are the years you're becoming an adult. What you've written probably hasn't become lies so much as it now describes a different person to who you are now. Don't worry, live your life a little bit longer and then think about writing

[TheXesrex]

2. A simple e-book called "1001 Character Quirks for Writing Fiction"

(very simple and some of them are a bit dull but there are some diamonds in the rough)

And the third I'll post as soon as I can find the link :P

[TheXesrex]

Thus far these series of videos have ben very helpful for my writing life. Here are some other great sources for writing that i ahve found:

1. The book "No More Rejections" by Alice Orr



[puppiesare2cute7]

In my personal opinion, writing from the third person is boring. It's more fun to put yourself in your character's point of view and write from the first person.

[fancyfarah]

@puppiesare2cute7

[fancyfarah]

@puppiesare2cute7 i totally agree with you

[ThePinkFloydPig]

Thank you very much for making this video.

[DeepFryin]

one of the few good expert village videos....thank you for posting

[KRSchannel]

I finished my novel Kyirux in 3 weeks! its published!

[blazearmoru]

proust questionnair!!! *googles*

[Mstarr345]

thanks santa

[trophyleasing]

It's hard to figure out the order of these videos. Either change your shirt each video or number them. Other than that, very helpful.

[MrJaden2010]

I really enjoyed this video

[chelseababbiie]

Wow! Thank you so much! I usually type in stuff on here or Google search, and cannot find anything that helps. But you, sir, are a genius! :) I can now start writing without difficulty, even though I slip up a few times and have writers block but, that's nothing that can't be cured with fresh air and an open mind :)

I have everything mapped out, now! Thanks :)

[piemakesmelol]

Wow, that is excellent advise...you sir, are a genius.

[Uzzie101]

"So you got that novel inside you and the doctor says you it's got to come out..."

He's like that Secondry School teacher that everyone liked!

[Jeromepsy001]

I'm just curious, what would be the average numder of novels that people have read during their lifetime or people from this generation?

books are almost becoming extinct now, because of Video Games and Televison.

[AliceElphabaWonka]

@Jeromepsy001 This is so sad yet true. What will happen to aspiring writers??!!

[MrJaden2010]

@Jeromepsy001 That is very true, people need to read more. 

[prettyreckless270]

@Jeromepsy001 what you said is so true and sad =/ when my friends heard i liked to read they laughed at me and called me a 'geek', jokingly of course, but it hints that reading among young people is rare. Everytime i go into the library too now i only see old people or mothers with their children after storybooks.

[Jeromepsy001]

@prettyreckless270 yeah, most common people irritates me, its so pathetic that the only source of infromation they have is either in internet, TV or Radio, I don't have anything against technology but when you read more, you just contemplate on one subject or story, even the students of the copy/paste generation thinks that reading is for lonely people with thick glasses.

[fancyfarah]

@Jeromepsy001 so not true

[skribbles33]

Great information! Thanks!

[4FREEish]

How cuz I ain't able ter make a coment n squat

[4FREEish]

I love this guy!

When I'm older I want a beard a magical as yours!

[andwaaa]

Hey guys, working on my fifth novel- still in the early stages and would appreciate some feedback since I'm working out of my comfort zone on this one. Horror genre, anyone willing to read a few chapters and feedback, inbox me. (Ameteur and proffesional opinions welcome) Thanks.

[rjrjrj333]

The subtitles spelled Marcel Proust's name wrong.

[allaroundthemorning]

I'm willing to ignore your pink shirt and cluttered office because what you're talking about is pretty damn good. Ah well, you know what they say, right? Real men wear pink, huh? Real men also drink tea.

Who came up with that stuff anyway?

[J0nesy2009]

I like your mustache

[Aeux]

thank you for the video

[groovynut222]

Thanks for that advice, David.

[homerman99]

Such excellent advice! You're a genius! Thanks a lot!

[Skullatoran]

This is some amazing advice, I already have a good Idea for a book, and I sit 5 hours a day, at night conversing with these characters as you say,

[LmanAkaSilentHunter]

nice advice, thanks.

[francoferret]

This really helped me a lot!! Thanks man dude!

[badgerfrommars]

santa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Starfall3]

Rember: KISS

Keep It Simple, Stupid.

No matter how intertwinded it gets make sure that at the base it's simple.

[skittlesareawesome07]

I agree

[notatnik150]

Braveheart was written previously by another novelist, some 20 years prior...

[DeathToAllReligions]

Reading the works of others is highly valuable, but the "expert's" reason for doing so, "so you don't write a novel that's already been done," is preposterous.

Incidentally, to publish something "that's already been done" in any context that it has a negative impact implies that your agent and/or publisher/editor also can't see the similarities between your book and another already done.

I'm finished looking for sage advice on the Internet. Good teachers are just not here.

[Dbzrantings]

I suppose comparison on a scale that doesn't result in criticism is a good business move.

There shouldn't be a limited or set amount otherwise the writer might feel pressured to read that much exactly. You should read enough to learn new techniques you can develop and different ways to present the story but not so much that you end up copying other people's work because their work is all you can think about. Hopefully you should get so wound up in your story that it's unlikely you'll copy.

:)

[Dbzrantings]

Overall, when it comes to writing. a person should be their own teacher. No one else can find a way of writing that makes you comfortable.

:)

[TiPerihelion]

@DeathToAllReligions

The reason to avoid writing a novel that's already been done is precisely *because* no publisher will touch it, and then you'll have wasted all that effort. The point was *really* subtle, I know...

[DeathToAllReligions]

"The first thing you do is to read a lot of other novels. You don't want to write a novel that's already been done."

Anybody here want to take a wild guess why that statement alone makes this "expert" a fucking idiot?!

[Dbzrantings]

Actually, no. He's saying that you need to know what's been done and how by reading other books. Therefore, you can produce something entirely original.

[DeathToAllReligions]

@Dbzrantings

I quoted what he said. And as for producing something "entirely original," that a fucking myth. There are NO original stories.

Read "Story" by Robert McKee, "Inside Story" by Dr. Dara Marks and "The Writers Journey" by Christopher Vogler if you want to know how pathetic a concept "original" really is.

The value gained by reading the work of others is to see what techniques work and which fail.

[Dbzrantings]

I've read two of the books you listed. Sorry, I shouldn't have used the term 'original'. What I meant was 'something that is is unlikely to be compared to something else'.

Sometimes you end up with a result that is highly similar to that of someone else, even if you hadn't even seen their product. You will most likely be criticized for the similarities. Reading other books allows you to build on other writers techniques and change them to match your story.

:)

[DeathToAllReligions]

@Dbzrantings

Okay. Now you're getting close to why that tidbit of video advice was utterly ludicrous.

"something that is is unlikely to be compared to something else" 80% of a marketing effort is the establishment of antecedent. You WANT your book compared to something else 99% of the time!!!

Now, "first, read other books." Other books?!

There are MILLIONS of "other books" with a diversity of story, theme and structure that would consume 15 lifetimes! So how much reading is enough?!

[merlip80]

Thank you.

[sillypinkjay]

I think the clock is fake.

Seriously, look at it.

o.O

[southernpreacher]

read, read, read this the first thing you get told in any writing class. Stephen king says if you don't have time to read you don't have the tools to write. Read as a student take notes as you read on style, and technique.

[trode23]

what is the name of the questionaire?

[EnderAcrobat17]

The Marcel Proust questionnaire...

[Absonata]

Your the best! Although alot of people has writen good books without reading.

[HexenX]

... Hahahaha.

[Ravengaurd6]

Santa's giving gifts early this year.

[Donniesmith1975]

I need to know how to copyright my stories and my characters, because I post my fiction stories on a certain messageboard, and each "part" only gets a few views. I am worried that one of the few people who do read it may copy and paste it to Microsoft Word and then print it out as their own and send it to a Book Publisher, and make money off of my story and my idea. Basically, I am worried about story Plagarism.

[eirinbe]

Thank you for the tips! : )

[meerkatvvv]

great advice! I'm just starting but it'scjust a hobby so there's no deadline. I've got all the time in the world to create my masterpiece....and at the rate I'm going, it may take a lifetime lol

[deatheart360]

lol same here

[madmethod21]

Yeah but when you say just write and continue to write, how can you do that if you don't know where the story is going. Don't you at least need a basic plot, theme or an outline before start writing?

[xAngelsCryTonightx]

thanks it was very helpful<3

[subwoofer81]

hey thanks for the advice and don't care about the "santa" thing either just keep doing what you're doing and have fun!

[Flaoither3]

Thanks for the advice Santa

[MomoTheBellyDancer]

Wow, this man has "WRITER" plastered all over him. Absolutely fantastic.

I agree with most of what he says, except the bit about "rewriting other works". Originality is overrated. No matter you come up with, someone, somehow, somewhere has thought of the same. Some scholars even argue that there is only a limited set of stories floating about. Try to give existing ideas your own spin and you will be well underway.

[ccv707]

Want to write a novel? Not a big mystery...start writing and continue to write. And read, read, read. That's about it.

[futurediva222]

Those of you wanting to get published should pick up a book called 'The First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile'. The book was written by a literary agent who offers tips on what agents look for in a manuscript that has potential to get published as well the elements that can get a manuscript rejected. It's a pretty helpful book to those serious about entering the publishing world.

[azurelikeit1]

Proust Questionnaire, I've put my main character through her 'paces' (?!) but it didn't help me, every writer is different in their approach. Good Luck!

[lauradoomed]

this guy is a genius!

[X1SlothX1]

awesome thanks a lot man

[dverners]

great advice:)

[lauradoomed]

does anyone know how to spell that questionnaire he mentioned? i want to find it!

[tiarnan76]

I could listen to you all day brilliant ;)

[Dinospikester]

Just came across this video and thanks for the tips man. I'm trying to write my own Science Fiction Novel. The tips you gave were useful.

[shezdasht]

has anyone got their novel published by these tips or where they personal projects? just wanted to know for personal reasons.

[luciienze]

Wonderful, practical tips!! Thank you for making these videos!!

[thisiseternity]

Aww you're adorable!

and I love your pink shirt and red suspenders :]

[AnnaYield]

I know this has been said before but I wanted to thank you for this. I just started writing one day and it somehow turned into 5 chapters and I started to freak out and stopped. This video has definately given me abit more confidence to keep going and how to improve.

THANK YOU :)

[kinglaith7]

Thank you so much for the videos you have uploaded. Im writing a novel now, and persistence is the tough part. The reason for my being so anticipated to stop writing is not from boredom, but lack of patience. I keep telling myself 'this is going nowhere. Ive also had trouble with believing that someone would want to read what Ive written, you could say lack of confidence.

[sparkingtonstanly]

i have lack of confidance too so gave what i had written to my brother and he said it was very good, altough after reeding the seven chapters i had back to my self i thought the sub plots were good but the main story seemed to much like david gemmell, i started something else and put that to one side and i am very happy with what i have so far. but confidance is always an issue with me, i accidently left the story on the screen and a friend red it an wont stop naggin to reed the rest

[13Elphaba13]

WTF are u talking about????

[Helsinki666]

I feel sorry for you.

[DKC1011]

thank you for the tips and ideas.

[dfool06]

So this is what Santa does throughout the rest of the year. Hello Santa. LOL

[xContaminatedx]

lol

[fruitlady101]

Awesome suspenders. Nice mustache.

[somethunder86]

Thanks for the tips. Very useful.

Its not having idea's that are the problems, its getting it onto paper and then being satisfied with the result.

[RestiveBob]

Who are you, good Knight, who are so wise in the ways of science?

[garywedlund]

The best of your advice is knowing the characters and weaving subplots. These two elements are missing in 90% of new work. Adding to that, a character is more about what they believe, do and say than what they look like. That's missing in 99% of the new work.

[itsuponus]

Good advice.

[SunWooz]

I hear that a lot: Read other novels of the same genre.... It's the thing I never understood. If i'm trying to write a complete original work of fiction, why should I read something that would promote 'cheating'. Instead of following a previously successful archetype, wouldn't it be more rewarding to create a complete new genre of fiction?

[melikeKH2]

Uhmm... That's not what he's trying to portray.

It's not cheating at all, it just helps with writing in general. You need to read a lot to write well; it's just how it works.

It's just like trying to build a car without instructions; sure, if you spend years and years, you may be able to get something to work, but you could've been done years and years earlier with the instructions.

[garywedlund]

There is nothing stopping you from creating a new genre. In particular, knowing what has been written isn't stopping you. I write a novel every six months and read a novel every week. The two are not mutually exclusive. They are, however, mutually supportive.

[rubberbandballman]

what was the name of the questions

[MIDNAq1LINK]

Thank you!

[earthbender842]

Thank you so much! You have no idea how much you've helped me!

[Booklvr777]

i don't understand subplots. HELP

:(

[Anotherworldofdust]

I do so I'll help explain. Well you have a main plot  so say the alien had to get back to his planet. Well the sub-plots are other plots say the alien was attacked, captured, in a fight... stuff like that. SO sub-plots are the other events that occure in the book.

[bafmd]

thank you.

[13Elphaba13]

Wow thanks expertvillage, this is honestly one of the most helpful videos on writing/novels I have seen. :)

[Maderlore]

Thank you Mr. Expert Village

[erana724]

THANK YOU!!!! :)