Answering Your Writing Questions! (100k Subscriber Special)

To celebrate the channel reaching 100,000 subscribers, I'm answering 42 of your writing questions. Enjoy - and thank you for helping me reach this milestone! Join my free 5-day course to write better fantasy characters: https://jedherne.com/character-course... ⏲️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:31 - Making dialogue realistic 00:05:23 - Creating gripping characters 00:10:17 - Weaving complex themes 00:12:20 - Favourite book of 2024 00:14:48 - Writing deep relationships 00:19:40 - Crafting original villains 00:25:30 - Key writing lessons per book 00:31:21 - Adding travel-inspired details 00:35:03 - Jed's best book to start with 00:37:14 - Visiting a character's world 00:38:52 - Choosing your next project 00:42:08 - Using objects to add depth 00:44:04 - Future interactive novels 00:49:06 - Condensing a long novel 00:53:06 - Room for improvement 00:57:21 - My most interesting book to write 01:00:16 - Grabbing readers’ attention 01:02:32 - Best writing software 01:05:49 - Creating Kef Cutmark 01:07:42 - Writing unfamiliar settings 01:09:22 - Writing the first novel 01:12:57 - Staying motivated as a writer 01:17:35 - Unwritable stories 01:19:00 - Handling distractions 01:20:25 - Writing sequels in a series 01:21:52 - Balancing social life 01:23:58 - Dealing with procrastination 01:25:57 - Balancing lore with story 01:26:52 - Applying architecture to writing 01:29:11 - Unique ways to include dragons 01:31:51 - Jed's favourite trope 01:32:41 - "What if I'm wasting my time?" 01:35:47 - Thoughts on cursed artifacts 01:37:51 - Creative magic systems 01:41:16 - Writing protagonists like yourself 01:44:19 - Potential writing craft book 01:47:09 - Cover artists 01:48:25 - Thoughts on AI in fiction 01:53:19 - Biggest change from draft to final 01:56:24 - Inspiring scenes in writing 02:00:21 - Confidence to share writing advice 02:04:09 - Favourite memories in writing and teaching ✏️ LEARN HOW TO WRITE A GREAT FIRST CHAPTER: Join my First Chapter Mastery program: https://firstchaptermastery.com/ (This program includes the option to get my personal feedback on your writing.) ✏️ WORK WITH ME TO PLAN YOUR NOVEL: Apply for my 7-week Fantasy Outlining Bootcamp: https://jedherne.com/outline 🚀 BECOME A FASTER WRITER: Join my Easy Writing Habits course: https://easywritinghabits.com/ 📙 MY BOOKS: Across the Broken Stars: https://jedherne.com/acrossthebrokens... The Thunder Heist: https://jedherne.com/thethunderheist/ Fires of the Dead: https://jedherne.com/firesofthedead Kingdom of Dragons: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/... 🎮 MY VIDEO GAME: Siege of Treboulain: https://jedherne.com/siege-of-treboul... 🔨 MY FAVOURITE WRITING TOOLS: Freewrite Traveller (distraction-free writing laptop): https://getfreewrite.com/?rstr=6485 - use my affiliate link for a 5% discount. ProWritingAid (great editing software): https://jedherne.com/prowritingaid - 10% discount with my affiliate link. Scene Structure Template: https://jedherne.gumroad.com/l/scene