Ad Librum Aeternam

I watch YouTube a lot (guilty as charged, dang) and love to learn through tutorials and how-to videos. I didn't venture into book reviews BUT Authortube caught my eye as an aspiring author myself… And I must mention Miss Kate Cavanaugh is my new obsession (Whoa! I mean in a "I'm watching all of her videos non-stop" and not like a creep, okay? Okay!) 

Most importantly, she just saved my Heaven's Army: Down to Earth series with one of her methods. 

How did she contribute to saving my cherished story? 

And also, why do I appreciate Kate's videos so much?

I'll first list all her qualities and what makes her videos the best, in my opinion. Then, I'll introduce you to the specific video which helped me and what I realized and what I proceeded to do. Lastly, I'll explain how it works and what's new on the horizon for me and my story as well as this seemingly innocent technique. All interspersed with images and wishing Miss Cavanaugh the best (and please, do make other awesome videos so I can binge-watch them, oki-please??)

Ready?

What About That Kate Cavanaugh?

I'll be blunt here: her videos are the best and the most inspiring I've found because 

* She's hilarious both in what she says and how she edits her videos

* She's so lively it's sweet and entertaining and cannot not move you into action (talk about motivational!)

* She finds different angles to tackle the eternal struggles for writers and explores various methods

* She has an amazing series where she writes like a famous author (using their own routine!) and it's both extremely funny and useful to see what works and how you can tailor it for you!

* She's honest and kind and enthusiastic

* Kate deals with writers's problems, her own progression, tips and tricks, "I tried writing like…", honest talks about writing and money (and so on), and amusing topics like "Sh*t writers thinks // Coffee Shop Edition".

If after such compliments you still don't want to take a look at her videos, you… Who the heck are you, then?! (Just joking. Nah.)

The Life-Changing Video

There is one video that affected me more than the others in terms of resounding with me and the potential technique. If there is one thing you need to know about me before I go into explanations, it's that even though I read eBooks and own three ereaders, paper is always the best (and it smells SOOOO enchanting). 

So, what video am I talking about, the one that changed the course of my problems with Down to Earth and helped me beat writer's block with this story? 

Well, here it is:

And the Lightbulb Was Turned On!

As for the issue with my story, I was stuck. The plotting never seemed good enough, and I’d had terrible feedback and gratuitously mean comments. So, nothing I ever did worked (plotting and character-wise), and I was pretty hurt. So, sadness took over.

I spent months working this issue over…. Okay, I’m lying. Years. But then, a week ago I watched Kate’s video and it hit me!

I have to print the goddamn story like a book (or at least, as professional-looking as I could right now)! And I did. Like she says, it doesn’t cost much (it was $32 for me at Staples) and it looks GORGEOUS what with those white spirals, protector sheet and hmmmmm all those sheets with written words on them. My words.

While it’s beautiful, do you want to know what’s best about it? 

It works!

The Innocent-Looking But Powerful Technique 

It might not seem much and you’ll probably go “Well,

You just had to print it to advance.’’ 

But nah uh! Printing it out is only half of the issue solved. What makes it work is having it look professional and not just sheets you took out from your home printer and stapled together. The answer lies in its appearance and practicality. 

Okay, sure, it’s easier to do with your home printer. But it’s less striking, and most importantly, less inspiring. And that’s the trick. You need to hold your story (completely drafted or not) and feel closer to your goal. You need to look at it and go: “Wow, I did that?!’’ With the protector, colour cover and spirals, you’ll feel it’s going somewhere and, I hope, have your confidence renewed! Desire and drive to get somewhere with that story will come at your beck and call after that!

“But what did it give you honestly?’’

Well, since you asked, I’ll answer it in the next section!

I See the Horizon!(And Glimpse at What It Holds)

I envision my completed novel, at last. The feel of just-printed pages and the smell of just-fresh ink. And at last, written in big, bold letters at the very last page: "The End".

This might be in a little while, but now it's much clearer and tangible for me. I see and feel it. I *know* I will reach that vision.

And in the end, isn't it what counts?

Thank you so very much to you for reading and to Kate Cavanaugh for inspiring me with every upload. Please go and check out her channel.

What tip have you tried and loved?

Is there any you learned through Authortube?

See you next post, lovelies!