How to Get Ahead of 99% Of Writers (In 6-12 Months)

In this video, I draw from my experience of publishing three fantasy novels and a bestselling video game to share my thoughts on how to massively accelerate your progress as a writer.

⏲️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
01:03 - Maximise your energy
02:42 - Create a harmonious day job
08:18 - 1000 words per day
12:58 - Consider a smaller scale
14:44 - Embrace the magic

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🧑 ABOUT ME:
Hi! My name's Jed. I'm a fantasy author with three published novels and a bestselling video game. On this channel, I draw from my 10+ years of writing experience to help you become a better writer.

💬 CONNECT WITH ME:

(Note: I don't always get a chance to reply to every email. However, I do my best to read as many of them as possible, and it's my preferred method of communication.)

[TrentonBreske-ddln]

One thing I love is when a book feels natural to write. I recently started a new fantasy story, and I already have 1500 words, a finished chapter, and 3 fleshed out species with their own backstories. Your advice is amazing. Keep up the great work. Oftentimes reading another story you love is a great way to gain inspiration, and is my recommendation to any writer.

[ArtbyMSB]

Wrote 3k words in 3 hours yesterday thanks to yours, Brandon Sanderson, GRRM, and Bookends lit agency yt videos. Thanks!

[joshuastclairmusic]

My first book came so naturally over the past few years, because it’s a sci-fantasy story about music. As I am a musician, I was excited and passionate to bring it to life. That’s my tip for those out there struggling with their first book: write about what you love! And draw from your own life experiences. My setting is a holiday resort island, and it’s pretty much exactly like Hamilton Island in Queensland Australia. As I lived there, I could describe my setting in so much detail and I was able to relive my adventure there vicariously through my characters.

[TeddyAtTheCreativeNook]

This is some great advice, as always, Jed!
I've done the dead-end, boring jobs that are equally as draining to creativity as those that require more 'effort', so you have to be careful with those too.

As for writing itself; the drive & desire to write can override everything, if you allow it. After putting myself on a writing hiatus (lasted a whole month instead of a year), my drive took over. I was able to re-think & re-plan my entire story & I think it's better for it. I'm chipping away slowly at it as I work on other things, but I'm happy with what I have so far. I tend to aim, not for a thousand words a day, but usually writing for a specific amount of time or, just write this scene. It all depends on my mood.

[brendangolledge]

I have written a lot, but I wrote for myself. I wrote because I could not find the answers that I was seeking in other people. I read a lot less than I used to because of this. However, when I show my work to other people, although my writing feels like the answers to all the existential questions that I had in the past, it has absolutely no effect on anybody else. I suppose the reason that I was the only one who wrote what I wrote was because I was the only one who cared. I do not think that increasing my work or efficiency will help in my case, since although I have already solved all of my problems, they are not anybody else's problems.

[wesley_]

I always watch these videos before I go write, gets me in the mood lmao

[MagnusItland]

Finally some love for "Two Steps From Hell" and Audiomachine as inspiring music! I have a mix of those and BrunuhVille that I play while taking walks - walks long enough to get grand ideas but not long enough to forget them. It energizes body and mind.

[luisaah]

Hahah I love climbing too. I even write in the climbing gym sometimes. They have amazing coffee. I go 3 times a week as well. Have socialising time as well. It's great to have ideas for dialogue and character interaction. Also it is very rewarding to have a balance in your life.

[queilef]

I think the part of daydreaming is crucial. I personally spend about 25-40% of my time daydreaming, and I’ve had some of the best breakthroughs and ideas for my novel there

[kaiserquasar]

I've seen this channel grow a lot recently, which is a great thing as, well, it has great content. Keep it up!

[arzabael]

Dude. That picture of you and your friends holding the book up looked like the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen.

[lzl]

Job interview at the financial firm:
- What makes you qualified to make articles and newsletters to explain our business to customers and investors?
- I'm writing fantasy stories.
- Hired!

[Aurora-ntyk]

I deeply feel for this video, thanks for the encouragement! I love the aspects of solid, creative writing... I'm on the outlook of my 2nd book in a 5 book series.
Been writing for 6 years, and I can say, I whole-heartily agree with most of your points in a lot of your videos. (Except, I live for lyrical music when I write; it connects the story to everlasting songs and depth of moral meaning, not distract). I love fantasy most of all, but I tend to mix it with a compellation of other genres. I write everyday in physical books: I don't count words. I do it until I hit the end — writing more than 1, 000 since it brings fulfillment and joy to my life. And I hope so for everyone else. I am on the way with a series that has been the roller of my life — soon I hope it changes the world. My world — and yours too.

[carrienoyes]

Once again, thank you for a great video! I've quickly became a fan of them and return to them often.

I left a draining job that was slowly killing me working 60+ hours a week for a 40 hour a week job. I'm just getting back into my creative pursuits again. I'm not bringing work home with me. Instead I tend to bring my writing with me. I keep a little pocket notebook for little blurbs of inspiration or ideas. Quick and messy but it's usually enough for me. They'll stay there till I use them or transfer them to a more permanent storage.

I use the commute back home (30 minute drive) to think on the next scene, or where do I think the project needs to go next - What's next on the to-do list. It helps motivate me to actually do some writing or work on a project when I do get home. I'll often use playlists during the drive that I have saved for various characters to help me get into their mindset. Once I'm home and ready to work, I'll often switch to instrumental.

[matthewmusgrave]

I have a 50 hours a week job but I love it and it helps me do research for my writing. I only average 100-200 words a day though because of the longer hours and spending time with family.

[nargozot]

I have a very laid back, flexible job that has been not only handy for going into writing/drawing for graphic novels as I’ve always wanted, but it’s been mentally healing that jobs like mine exist. I can come in and leave whenever I want, and that lack of flexibility and basic compassion/respect I didn’t get at other jobs made me feel like my need for a laid back job made me seem entitled and lazy. The skew here was, I was wanting to work on what mattered to me, not drain all my limited energy for labor that has nothing to do with my life goals. If you are in this position, leave that job NOW or your novel will never happen! You deserve to live out your passions right now, not work until you deserve to.

[Dr_Coe]

Excellent work. I find that if I try to write cool stuff instead of writing a "book" to sell I enjoy it much more. I also count world building as part of my writing.

[socman]

So the first rule of writing is .... OH MY GOD YOU'RE A BEAST - loving the muscles man. Who needs a best seller when you have abs.

[BruceWayne]

For me, the main reason I haven't published over the decades of writing is simple. I'm a pantser, and that means lots, and lots of editing. I discovered that AI can help me plan my novel upfront very quickly though (the main reason I didn't plan before, ) so I've finally created a novel that I feel is in good enough shape upfront that I'm willing to edit it for publishing. I have to admit, I thought I would hate writing a novel that I had planned out. I thought it would steal all the soul out of my story, since most of the fun I get from writing is the sense of discovery and adventure that I experience as I write my novel. This turned out to be a false concern. I get just as much enjoyment from writing a novel that I planned, and I have the added benefit of knowing where my story is going, so I have a lot less writers block. AI is also awesome at helping you to overcome that. It's great for brainstorming, and helping you to find creative ways to solve problems.

[xenthine]

Oh. The arcanist was my first pub too. They were great.