"How do I find my character's WANT vs their NEED?" | #AskAbbie

I like stories about friendship between people of the same gender or of different genders without romantic or sexual elements. Love isn't all about sex or romance. It's about caring, tenderness, mutual respect and understanding. I like a well written romance as much as anyone, but sometimes it feels like it's there just because the writer thinks they should have a romance. Great books and movies have been made about friendship and loyalty without romantic entanglements.

I really wish I could see more friendship that doesn't lead to romance. Some people say they are not interested in dragons because it's not real life but in real life you're not gonna ban or date every single person of the gender you're into. Please allow friendships!

I'm not very good at writing dialogue, descriptions, or plot and character development. But other than that, I’m an excellent writer!

Your videos really helped me write my own book, I’m still a teenager and I want to be an author and your videos are really helping thank you

Is anyone else experiencing the tension of wanting to watch every single Abbie Emmons video (because every video is so helpful to my understanding of writing) and needing to actually write?

Oh, my gosh, I asked the first question, and yes, I LOVE screenwriting! And playwrighting too. Writing a book just seemed the easiest to do completely on my own while with screenplays and plays you have to approach people to produce it...and rejection and I aren't friends. Gotta work on that. Thanks for the advice! I'll definitely try to stop judging my prose and just have fun with it. You also kinda confirmed what I already knew - I should probs write a screenplay.

Im just writing something small on wattpad. Since Ive started watching your videos I feel like Ive discovered the secret recipe for a book and how to go about it. Ive been searching on internet for YEARS about the right way to write but all they preach is "every book has a beginning, a middle and an end". And I always ended up more confused. But your videos, the three story act, is such a simple way and I love it.

Maybe for someone that loves writing dialogue and struggles with description could try writing in 1st person, then they would be writing inner dialogue. I write 3rd person, but I still find the inner dialogue and thoughts to write. I love thinking about my characters voice and trying to create it!

You gave the best answer to the pen name vs real name question I've heard yet. Thanks.

I love you, you make the creative wheels turn in my head. Makes me want to write.

I am currently writing the first draft of a passion project of mine. It a long epic with built sagas and story arc, so it's more of an equally as long journey than a marathon.

No matter the questions, I always get something out of it. Thanks again, Abbie 💜

I turned from academic writing to fiction writing six and one-half years ago and, in making the shift, took five classes in creative writing. No one ever mentioned your videos. This is mind blowing to me. It would have been so helpful if I'd known about this super source of information. Thank you so much for your contribution to the writing community. I've had three novels accepted but am still learning. I hope to listen to every video.

I love your channel and everything on it, Abbie. You have amazingly simple but foolproof logic on how to create great stories, and I think I've watched just about all of your videos. I'm working on several story ideas and I'm currently writing the outline for my favorite one. I have no idea where my writing skills would be if I hadn't stumbled across your channel, but they sure wouldn't be doing very well. (: You're the best person at explaining writing I've ever seen. Keep up the amazing work, Abbie! Good luck!

Great advice! For the first question, I love to write it down, then go back, delete the boring bits, then describe the action/narration by asking myself what senses would get from it. I also tend to overuse the subject-verb sentence structure so I might read it out loud to try to catch those. Writing is so hard lol

That's pretty cool advice, write it as if you're seeing through the eyes of the character. What he thinks. Thanks!

I am taking a sabbatical actually (career change) and I'm using the extra tjme to write a book I have been wanting to write since the beginning of 2020. I worldbuilt it for almost 2 years and I'm now outlining the first book (bc I want to make a series). I'm loving finally having the time to write (like in depth) and I'm like using every second I have hehehe. Your videos helped my passion awake and now I'm soooo enjoying. I want to change the world with my story ♡

I am writing my first ever fantasy book. I have done some short stories and writing exercises before, but this is my first real attempt at constructing narrative and characters. I don't know that i'll ever publish but it's been a great experience so far. Your videos have been very helpful ^_^

I'm so happy this video popped up! Spent my whole Wednesday waiting for this ❤️

Writing the second draft of my first novel. Brainstorming ideas to write a video game that takes one hour to beat. And after I finish the section of my book I am writing, I will take a break to outline a short story and write it, outline a game, and the remainder of the book - chapters 3-whatever, and the end.