I thought it would be fun to share some of the behind the scenes details of how I write a novel. So here it is! A new vlog with the making of Be Still My Soul. If you’re a writer, I’d love to hear some of your ideas for how you prepare and write. If you’re a reader, you’ll get a sneak peek into some of the process that goes into making a book. Thanks for watching!
Great vlog, Joanne! Your book looks so interesting. You know I’m interested in Appalachia myself, especially in presenting these people in a good light (not always the case!). And you have to get a little moonshine in there, to make it realistic! Grin.
Love how organized your photos are. Mine are just kinda shoved into my notebook. I finally figured out that when I find a great photo in a magazine, I can sometimes go online and pin that photo to my Pinterest pinboard. So then I have a ready-made visual collage for my next book!
Hi Heather! I bet your notebook is just jamb packed with incredible viking photos and details! 🙂 Pinterest is so wonderful. I’m a really visual person and its such a great way to organize inspirations.
Loved your vlog! So cute. 🙂 I love your notebook idea. Since I write contemporary, I don’t do the fashion sheets, but I do character sheets and have found that to be really helpful. And I definitely outline, outline, outline. No pantser here…total plotter, although I will occasionally allow myself to go a different direction if something comes to me as I’m writing.
Thanks, Lindsay! That’s awesome that you are organized from the get go! When I started writing, everything was a mess. I could never find anything! I realized I had to have everything in one spot and the notebooks are great for writing on the go.
I like the costume sheet idea! For me, I usually have a rough idea of who my characters are and what they want and maybe a few key scenes. Then I start writing and discover the rest. I have used Blake Synder’s screenwriting beat sheet before and found that helpful!
I have to admit–the costume sheets are a lot of fun. Maybe it’s a girl thing, haha. I haven’t heard of the screenwriting sheet. I will have to check it out 🙂
This was so fun! …and we’re twins. I love binders and finally had to get a bookshelf for my writing binders to erradicate the piles all over my bedroom floor. Great vlog! You’ve inspired me to make costume sheets this time around- something I didn’t do last time. 🙂
Haha! I know just how you feel! I have a stack of them. Unfortunately the one for the Cadence of Grace series is my ugly duckling–the other are very white and pretty 😉 But it was the original and I didn’t have the heart to get rid of it 🙂
I get that. Sentimental value. 🙂
Hey girl – how am I just now discovering your blog?? I absolutely loved this vlog. I’m a little in awe of how organized you are!
Have you ever read Belle Prater’s Boy? I ask because it’s set in Appalachia in the mid 1900s, which isn’t too far away from the time period you love. It’s middle grade fiction. I used to read it to my 5th graders every year when I was a teacher. It’s such a good book!
Thanks, Katie! I always feel like I talk too soft because I have sleeping kids. I’m sure you know how that goes 🙂 Thanks for the book recommendation. I will have to check it out!
Love your organization and ideas. I’m working on the second draft of my first novel and my research is all over the place – probably because I’ve been pulling information together by bits and pieces for the past ten years! I need to pull it all together in one place. I don’t feel like I have a set way of preparing my books, because this is my first novel. Next time around I will do things much differently!
Thanks, Gabrielle! My organization has been a process over the last few years and has definitely sprung from a combination of 3 kids and no office. I try to keep everything tucked away at easy reach because I never know how many minutes I’ll have to write =}
Oh, what a sweet vlog, Joanne! So… now that you have whet my appetite for your bluegrass ~*~ I would love it if you would send me a quick song on your Mandolin!! Happy day! Kathleen
Oh, almost forgot… (I guess I did forget) in my comment that I would like to know if that is a milk steamer on your counter in the far right corner?? I would love to have a chai tea latte with my Midnight Blue tea!
I wish it were a milk steamer…that would be handy 😉 Thanks for your fun comments! I hope to get the mandolin in there one day. My last video blog, I pulled it out, but it was out of tune, LOL. Here’s the link. Take care, Kathleen! And happy almost-birthday! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmSvWU55yYI&feature=relmfu