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/5-day-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