Uploads from Abbie Emmons

Currently Playing: How Much Planning Do You REALLY Need Before Writing a Novel?

This video is sponsored by ProWritingAid. Sign up for Novel November, their free month-long writing challenge, here: https://prowritingaid.com/novel-november?utm_source=Abbie-Emmons&utm_medium=partner-influencer&utm_campaign=NovNov-2026&utm_content=YouTube-midroll&utm_term= How much planning do you REALLY need before you start writing your novel? If you’ve been outlining, researching, and building mood boards for months but still don’t feel “ready,” this video is for you. There’s a point where preparation turns into procrastination, and plotters and pantsers both get stuck there. In this video I’ll show you what you actually need to know before you start writing, what you can leave undecided (yes, really), and a simple 15-minute readiness test that tells you whether more planning will help or whether you’re ready to start right now. Need a little more structure before you dive in? Watch my training Idea to Outline: How to Outline a Book Even If You’re a Pantser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hwur_4MS5nQ&t=1875s ________________________________ ⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Do you not feel ready to write your novel? 01:26 The planning trap 02:57 What do you actually need to begin writing? 06:29 Join me for Novel November! 07:49 What can you leave undecided? 11:43 How can you tell if more prep will help? 14:15 One last kick in the pants 15:16 Subscribe for more writing vids :) ________________________________ *My NEW book, Make Your Story Matter, is now available!* 👉 https://abbieemmonsauthor.com/make-your-story-matter ✨ V A L U A B L E R E S O U R C E S✨ 🏛️JOIN ABBIE’S STORY UNIVERSITY: https://abbiesstoryuniversity.com/ ❤️GET BONUS CONTENT + SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL: https://www.patreon.com/abbieemmons 📚READ MY BOOKS: https://amzn.to/3Ivk0Gr 🖥️TAKE MY SCRIVENER MASTERCLASS: https://makeyourstorymatter.teachable.com/p/teachmescrivener ✏️TAKE MY EDITING MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/edit-your-book-like-a-pro 💬TAKE MY BOOK BLURB MASTERCLASS: https://www.learnfromabbie.com/p/how-to-craft-a-bestseller-book-blurb 📓GET MY FREE WRITING TEMPLATES: https://abbieemmons.ck.page/make-your-story-matter 💵GET 20% OFF SCRIVENER - USE CODE "ABBIE" → https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener-affiliate.html?fpr=abbie26 🎤LISTEN TO MY PODCAST WITH MY SISTER: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kate-and-abbie-show 🎥 MY GEAR + WRITING TOOLS: https://abbieemmonsauthor.com/my-gear 🎵 I GET ALL MY MUSIC FROM EPIDEMIC SOUND… CLAIM YOUR 60-DAY FREE TRIAL HERE: https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/v02bl3/ ✨F O L L O W ✨ blog: https://bit.ly/2Kl21m8 facebook: https://bit.ly/2FS2Ikh instagram: http://bit.ly/2Xr5hUI tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makeyourstorymatter x/twitter: https://x.com/abbieemmonsx patreon: https://www.patreon.com/abbieemmons Business inquiries: abbie@abbieemmonsauthor.com Questions and support: help@abbieemmonsauthor.com ✨ A B O U T ✨ My name is Abbie Emmons I teach writers how to make their stories matter by harnessing the psychology of storytelling and transform their ideas into a masterpiece. Story isn’t about “what happens” — it’s about how what happens affects and transforms the characters. I believe that there is an exact science (a recipe, if you will) behind a perfect story. And if you know what ingredients you need, you can create your own perfect story with ease and confidence. That’s what we talk about every week on this channel – and if it’s something you’re into, be sure to subscribe and join this community!