Writing : What, Where, How - Types, Ways, Platforms | Free Udemy Course

You sweet human being,
Just here to let you know that at some point the "presentation" type of videos will change into "screen recorded annotations" and will sound like a whacky podcast.
So you've been warned! <3

The Genre list and explanations is a great place to start exploring what exactly you want to create and in what way.
Each genre requires a bunch of basic knowledge and perks that are relatable to the genre. Some cases can let you easily mix the genres into something with aspects of two or more genres, but for the readers to comprehend and simply be able to absorb the "material" - it would be easier to not mix more than 2-3 genres in a piece of work. Otherwise it might become a great mess.

Here we'll take a look at few common genres and how they are. The links to lists of genre are in resources

The Genres in Cinematography are also a large land of wonders. That is why the writing must capture not only the words, but the visuals.
Creating scripts for the movies/pilots/series is quite interesting job that requires a lot of aspects to be noted.

It only seems that comic books do not have much, but there are sides to this artistry that are not known much to others.

With how DC and MARVEL have advanced the comic books into adaptations, making it big and pretty - there's a lot to check out and learn...

With world being out there in a hurry, it would be easier to multitask sometimes - that's were and why audio books are really nice to have. Very practical.
The many different platforms that host to all sorts of audio books now are really amazing. Anything from daily science to listen to, to platforms that specialise in fantasy, romance and more, that's updated weekly or even daily with all sorts of new content to enjoy and listen to.

"Manhwa (Hangul: 만화) is the general Korean term for comics and print cartoons (common usage also includes animated cartoons). The Chinese characters for manhua (漫畫), which also make up the Korean word, are the same characters that make the Japanese word manga. Outside of Korea, the term usually refers specifically to South Korean comics."

So, quite an interesting thing to take up on.

So, here we are with the biggest fish of the making in comic industry.

We use senses in daily life, same applies in the art of writing - to use them in a way that can transcribe, make reader feel what you write, not only read it.

It is way better to portray your characters with emotions and ability to express themselves. With aspects the readers can relate to.
Don't we all find it easier to get attached or empathetic, if the character is experiencing similar issues as us?

When we create characters - there are a lot that goes in:

Checking out their Archetypes, their aspects of interaction with others, personality traits, visual perks, voice, habits, flaws and more.
To those that want to add more - you can absolutely go all out with Zodiacs, Astrology, MBTI, Human Design and all else that can be moulded together to make what you crave to make.
BUT!!!
Beware of falling into the rabbit hole of excessively going on into all the miniscule details! You still have to write the thing!

When we make Fiction/Sci-Fi/Fantasy stories - there are things that are quite out there like huge obelisk looming over you... The World that the characters inhabit.

So do take care of not going too far in details, unless it's part of explanatory science side, that reader shall also need... Terrain, History, Perks and Attributes of land, Population (density, races, magical/science aspects), monsters and more.

Think about Dungeons and Dragons for a moment there, if things are hard to make. Draw inspiration from something already made. No shame in that at all!

So there are Known a few ways to structure that all mess.
Act System...

3 Part Act / 5 Part Act  - all about how you pace events and development, give cliffhangers, nerveshakers and emotional teasers.

But please, play nice. Unless you want to go all out, guns blazing and show how flamboyant, yet ruthless you can be as an author. I'll tip my hat to that no matter what.

Let us engage in the mess that's called inspiration.

The usual free-flow of the inspiration is the definition - waiting until it hits you. Does not matter when and where, just as long as there is something to note down the idea on - is good in itself, to come back to it later and make it happen.

With writing - when you have an idea and feel ready to make it - you make it, but sometimes you have to wait for it to come to you. The Muse, as you all know. And sometimes this wave of the inspiration comes at random times, in random places, which is why - carrying the small notepad, phone or a pen on own person or next to you is the way to deal with that.

But then again - with this sort of "Free-flow" - you never know when and how it will come. Sometimes, when there's writers block or other things - you just wait it out, whilst trying out life things in practise.

Planning can entitle having a list, a visual timebox or any other structured thing that can allow you to keep track of what has to be done.

Also the timeline structure and planning does well in general for any story. Even large stories all have the sections of the events and planned happenings in each part that were noted prior to be written in details.

When writing large works - plans and structure help keep track of what was where and how to get to the next part.

This is the way to mix all of the above, if that is your way of the warrior... Writer.
No problem to incorporate parts of this and that into what one needs and all shall be well in execution.

Sometimes a mix of things can be a mess, sometimes as you check out what works for you better - you select the way to go and then bend it to you, so you can use the knowledge and the practises to your advantage.

That net is the crucial aspect of Own Corner Of Writing.
So, once you have the right parts to your creative work, you can concoct the idea of using one corner, side of table, whole lot of corkboard -to keep it all set in one place with all those mental or physical small wires that explain the connections and the following of the structure of the story.

The music that is one to play, to have that feeling of the situation, the characters, area, world - but that all could also be a playlist online. Similarly - Pinterest board, few movies that you watch every so often for the influx of that inspo power.
The music videos or the photos, art and visual perks that make you think of own work and create it - is the inner way to go about it.

Might be believable, might be something new, but here goes the lists of jobs and what they are about:

To look at:

Resources:

Research your things...

some research material:

Material is here:

Research bits:

Reference :

So in this section we'll go into the bits and bobs of what to and how to.
Though, for all those who began to worry about the platforms and the "what to use" - don't worry, we're getting there, in the next section there's going to be plenty to see, try or exploit.
No need to hurry.

Below you'll find the Contract the publishers proposed to me : that states the % and the things that are allowed, as well as the pay that I must make...
What I mean is - don't fall pray to these things, they are not the kind of publishers you want to pursue and absolutely are not the thing you are looking for.

Any publisher/agent asking for money upfront is a SCAM and should be avoided at all costs!

One great way to protect yourself from malice of some vultures that roam the planes of the internet - is to make sure that your rights online are covered and registered.

This makes sure that whoever dares to "F*ck around" will "find out" the consequences of their actions, in case someone uses your book/work for own gain and profit.

Some have only one time payment, with certain amount of world wide cover. Some others require monthly pay. So be sure to check out what works for you better.

One of the good ways to start and expand from... Blogging.

There's ways about it - from video blogging to putting out articles every so often. Do check options that you wish to pursue.

Don't put yourself in time brackets, nor push to create too much. Take it slow, romance yourself into it. Don't go Terminator on your own psyche with the work load.

Website can refer to the usage of the sites that you create by yourself or get someone else to make for you (that does most times require pay), then you buy domain, maintain that sucker and get it to sell your products online... Kind of like - a specialised platform just solely for you...

Indie Publishing is about getting your book to a small publishing company that takes care of your book for you. Not you putting your book out there by yourself.

Self-Publishing is about putting own book out there by yourself. With help of other creatives that you commission and pay for from own pocket.

So, podcasts and audio books... Where to and how to...

Why trying with it and how do we make it work...

Genuinely the search for the agents begins on multiple platforms, same with publishing houses.
The things that you look at are :
Genre, word count, availability, "open call for submissions" and more...

Basically, we'll go into each site in detail in next chapter, but over all, here's the basic things:

Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and others are quite known, so I don't think I should put the links for them here...

But yeah - utilising social media to grow your readership, your fan base, your followers is a good way to make it more engaging, more interactive, more appealing, more closer to the people who read/enjoy your works. <3

Yeah, I know, the lessons feel like a podcast episode of lengthy chat. Hope you have your chosen drink and food with you.

Also - Did you take your meds? Did you eat? Did you sleep well? You better take care of your health in there!! 
I'm watching you! ¬_¬

Online webnovel places are the new treasure throve for the madmen... Or really good pirates that like adventures.

Mostly popular with younger readers, as well as the side of the globe that does more reading on their phones, rather than PC/tablet/kindle/paperbacks/hardbacks.

But, unlike the idea of just having it on the phone - really good webnovels tend to have adaptations quite fast, and to be frank - the fan bases are more prone to buy the paperbacks/hardbacks/merchandise of the novel, if they love it. Not to mention - there's more engagement, more commentary (both trash talk and constructive criticism, as well as odd beings of online lands that can say something nice or downright filthy, cryptic even)

Yet with all that - the platforms are booming and give way for the Asian readership to expand in greater amounts than one could expect, as these platforms tend to translate the works to the languages such as : Malay, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino and many more, that get traction and engagement from those regions. And there are a lot of people that read. A lot.

AND if you like to make Visual Novels - the amount of places where to start is also quite large. The most popular are added below.

self publishing book?

self publishing a book in e-format?

place to get that .epub or .mobi or .pdf
as well as the people to help you out, or be the one that helps out others.

Need to create a design?


Need photos and videos to make the thing?


Need free music?

Nifty spot for all the agents/events/publishers and community feedback.

The den of a place where information about literary agents reside.

If you have spare coins to get professional query help.

A great place for all them nifty details and the words that are new to discover . . . the thing is available yearly in hu-uge paperback...

When you need a place to start blog/website...

for those that create scripts it's easier to start with

you're lazy at editing grammar?
you have some help here:

A place where writers, film makers, directors, actors, scriptwriters and other magical beings come to hang out at.

Another social spot for artsy people to get together and where you can find other people to help out or collaborate:

another place for the people the information and  the resources to gather

you know how to navigate these beasts, so I'm not even worried here

this platform not only shares the places, events and happenings, but gives opportunities for all across the globe. It shows where you can apply to have an artistic getaway and create, as well as writers resorts and events where you can win trips, money, exhibitions and publishing.

a great place to find yourself that person who will be the voice of your book, or a place to upload your book as audio book the way you wish to.
Beware of the sound requirements that the book require and see to the facts that the cover art now needs a different sizing and dimensions, DPI and more.  When checking out the artisans to commission - do check their voices, preferences and styles. Ask them prior to commissioning, so that all the details are set right and no one is "losing out" or "in the fog" regarding any possible details.

Availability to record your stories in audio format, as well as creating podcasts and monetizing that. From subscription part, to that of making other money from the "readership/listeners".

another spot to make that podcast at or to make them series of audio stories available

These two are a way to record videos on your PC.
One thing can record your screen like a pro, another does the same but also can record your face, if that's what you're alright with.

Place that is mostly for scriptwriters and those who wish to make it a series, a film or a live action... there's the community critique, the support and the contests/events where you can join and participate... some are free (events/contests) some are paid for.

The place to scout for the available freelancers that can help out with your works/book... But be sure to check them through and through, ask them prior to commissioning and make sure there's no misunderstandings.

The place for inspiration, for the goodness to look at, as well as the good place to scout for possible artisans that can be asked to co-op on the projects you want to make.

A place where the endless contests open calls and whatnot is being brewed at 100km/hr every day every week.

A fine learning spot and a nice place to check out the written works of other writers, participate in local contests and see how the interest flows around.

If you are ready for the fast paced world of creating chapters daily and working on your novel all the time - then webnovel places will welcome you and even give you options of contract either Exclusive or Non-Exclusive. Depending on how you want to earn, where you wish to keep the story or share it  - it shall be your pick.

If you not only have the story, but also want the art - want to make own webnovel that is visual novel, or a comic, or a webtoon - you're welcome to try these platforms. There are others one can try and see if it works! (do your research... ¬_¬" )

The great den of lewd fiction that CLEARLY STATES SO AT THE VERY FIRST MOMENT UPON ENTRY!!!
Great place, great owners and amazing amount of fiction that's both original and fanfiction. Trust me - it is like a black hole that eats you up and there's no way out.
You can also be a creator there that collects kudos and generates fans.

A place where you can create a special corner for interaction with your fanbase on a more close relationship type of level.

you can either use it as a source of inspiration and information or upload and make your own thing out here... however you wish to turn it is up to you.

A fine place that gives you option to have free audio and ebooks daily to keep up with the world, as to have more information to engage with. Less fiction, more non-fiction and science.

In case you seek some live human interaction or the zoom-place or online hosted things that are out there - that's them places to check out and see if that works for you.

Journalism training and network platforms

All the things left in the "notes" section

The genuine question on how to make it work, how to get it going, how to collect that coin.
So here we'll tackle all them questions bit by bit, so that we get to know how to play the finance madness game with some of the platforms.

Let's go!

The thing with both KDP and KOBO are that the pay shall be sent only a few months down the line... Not straight away... But that somehow is for most of these things, sadly.

So here you can see the options to check and use - to get the needed results and options of pay, with multiple accounts across the globe all easy to use.

So here the sole ways to get paid is to sign contract - where you state your bank details where you want to be paid, and the platforms provide you with "ok, we got it, no problem!"... But pretty much the bank details or the payment account details can be added on the creators settings page... But then again - you're not paid, unless you are signed.
Aha. I know. Bummer.

So here is a nifty platform "One for All" in a way - Publishdrive. But as much as they seem cool, that also has it's flaws...

So here it's a bit different, but still quite cool...

Just do your magic at tapping the keyboard or screen and seek out the contests, opportunities, residencies for the writers out there in the wild.
There's a bunch that are available, but then again - just in case - check how all aligns with you and if it all qualifies well. Just in case. Or, if there's no qualifications and no way of you getting there, but you really want to - contact the people/company/thing directly and ask endless questions, give them proposal of what you want to create/to and how you really-really want to go there. They might as well just see how they can help out.

A great way to make some cool stuff work with usage of own little thing:

Same Udemy, or a thing on own blog/website and then - boom - passive income...

Either it's all online, through zoom calls, through skype sessions or live streams... Or all in all - it's with real humans, with real classroom or a place and you do your magical thing - where you get out there and present your stuff like it is Ted Talk... or something more or less of the same thing... You get me.

So, can even pursue a bit of freelance options...
Beware of the dark ghosts of online plains.. they come up as the odd beings that request some odd things.

So, let's get into the gritty part of this thing...
Marketing can be done by you, or by someone you commission. Depending on whom you get to make that thing work - it might depend.
Anything from Radio/Podcasts/Interviews/Magazines/Influencers/Beta Readers/Review Specialists(Blogs)/Professionals/Freelancers/Companies can all play out differently. So, do pay attention on how you commission them...

BUT

If you are the one that wants to take up the whole of the marketing thing, are capable of tackling SEO and other things that are relevant in the cases of marketing - make your coin from that! Why the heck not?

Being Author, being Writer is not as simple. Just sitting down and bleeding on a page, sometimes can be easy, sometimes not so much. But what goes into it all?

What's making you better author/writer? Are there needed habits or traits?
Are there the ways and rituals, sacrifices, maybe a good recipe to be the great author, the one that's bestseller off the bat?
Or a great acknowledged essay writer? A podcast creator? Audio book wizard known far and wide through the lands of online world?

Hm... Not sure. There is not one right way about it. There's a mixture of many. Let us take a look at few things that might come along with being author/writer...

When we get into the writing and we create our great work - we tend to rush the heck out, to post it - to get in in the peoples faces...
But is that right though?
Let's philosophise on this a bit...

So we all are either Introvert, Extravert or Ambivert. In between the hues of Extraverted Introvert and Introverted Extravert. Yeah, those exist.

With that we all have own way to approach situations and navigate the world. The principles of making it work apply to the world of writing as well - do we communicate well with the people around us, who we work with, or do we seem too distant and cold to them?
How to not be swept up and thinking that it's not enough or there's more to do...

Don't fall into that pit. We all, each and every one have way that works best for us. Don't overexert yourself.

So where the heck do we inspire from?

How does it work? 

The internet provides the endless options and wording and whatnot that might or might not work. One thing for sure - there's not One Remedy Fits All. Each person requires own way to be inspired, to regain this flow and to create.
But it begins with few small things: recognising that you have the burnout/inspirational block/no energy  and giving self space - to rest, to let go, to re-evaluate, re-think, see things from a new perspective.

When you face the potato that wants to be left alone stage...

Writer's Block

We all have this issue. When it comes to the idea of creating a thing and there's endless "Am I fit for it?" to "Is it going to be good?" and blah-blah-blah... Yes, this thing sometimes comes up, sure, but the way to handle it - is to remember what made you pursue this thing to begin with. What emotion was there prior to all this cacophony of unreasonable doubts..?

The health is affected the most, when we go into the frenzy of writing, or going out and away, hermit self for a while to create a thing within a tight timeframe. Especially when we are commissioned, or within a contract that implies the certain amount of work to be produced every so often.

The most crucial is to be mindful of taking care of self, as sometimes we're so off in outer space of creation, that the living reality things escape us.
Things like hydrating, eating, hygiene, time out in the "wild" (nature/park/outdoors), time the hell away from the screens and people that cause anxiety. So - there's a bit to mind in general, to stay healthy and remember to take care of self first and foremost.

Also, with writing in general - there's a bunch of specific health issues that might develop. So do take care to prevent that.

Have you heard of the term "disconnect to reconnect"? First timer for this? Yeah/no/maybe?

So here we'll take a look at this one thing we fear in a way and avoid at all costs... But that's also needed for the overall health and work of ones mind...

As a writer - one thing is at 100.000.000% sure - writers NEED rest!

So here we'll go over some things that might give more information to you about you... Or that of things that might help build the characters for your stories.
Apply it however you see fit. Use well and let's rock'n'roll this!

Here we begin with some things that have all sorts of backing...
The enneagram was introduced to me through the book "Winning not Fighting"

And that's quite the polar opposite of "Art of War"
But then again, it gives some information that sort of makes some sense...

To those who know - you know... Who don't - let us check this evil thing out. It's quite popular and cool... Still debated, but already in some countries used even in job interviews... Mwahaha!

This is a bit more um... complicated, yet not so much... Depends...

The evil den of "What's your star sign?/What's your zodiac?" question at a party situation... Ehehe...

might be your cup of tea, might not be that tea... but it has been accurate for me thus far... so, give it a go.

So a good thing that allows you to know more about own sleep timing...

Each of us has own working style, so that could also be checked out...

Some resources:

Some resources:

The interesting random things, huh?

Positivity is an interesting construct..

Some take aways from book ideas:

So the book aspects are there, but the one thing that's quite frankly fun to create from, with and to know:

So this is the very end of the course..
If you wanna share anything, ask anything, smack/throw plushies/poison/chanclas at me - go for it! 

I'll do my best to help and support you! No matter the great ambitions, ideas and "we're all mad here" at the end of the day, so, Good luck! Love you lots! You can do it!!