What This Writer Gained from a YouTube Diet

How I approached learning for a writing life

Would you walk onto a ski slope or golf course without the right equipment and preparation?

Entering an endeavor unprepared and uneducated is antithetical to my approach to problems. So, a year ago, I had a problem. I became interested in pursuing a writing life. I knew I could spell, form sentences, and use interesting terminology (only when necessary, of course!).

I wanted to learn more about the life of a writer. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I can’t recall how I ended up watching YouTube every morning while I readied myself for the day-job. Perhaps I googled and that’s where I ended up.

The first things I learned were how to subscribe to a channel and how to “like” a video. Eureka! And I was off and running, ummm, watching.

I found some interesting people generously sharing their perspectives of publishing and writing, in general. I’d like to tell you about some of them.

Jenna Moreci was the first YouTube author I stumbled across. She’s funny, snarky, and uses indecent language. Thus, it’s surprising I kept exploring this old YouTube thing! Jenna’s videos have instructional themes. She is prone to use best and worst themes, pet peeves, and she answers writing questions. Jenna is a self-published author with a lot of marketing experience. Her videos provide invaluable information in a highly entertaining format. Note: some people comment on her slightly annoying voice.

Alexa Donne is a traditionally published YA science fiction author. Her most recent book sold to a top publishing house. She maintains a full-time job in Los Angeles and writes on the side. Alexa posts videos several times a week. She offers videos about the writing industry, as well as helpful tips about writing craft.

Kate Cavanaugh likes coffee and wine, so I can relate. I really like her approachable, conversational style. Her videos are geared to the daily writing life rather than instructional on specific topics. She’s reviewed “Save the Cat Writes a Novel” and has demonstrated how she writes like a famous author, Stephen King, for one. It’s an entertaining watch.

Meg LaTorre hosts a YouTube channel called iWriterly. She used to work at a literary agency and is very generous with her insider knowledge of that side of book publishing. My favorite videos feature guests who are publishing professionals providing great advice on a structured topic, such as the query letter. Her channel title is “Learn how to be a successful modern-day author.”

Finally, in one of the most enjoyable (to me) YouTube videos Stephen King interviews John Grisham. Together, they pulled the curtain back on the writing life, getting published, and managing one’s daily writing discipline. It was lighthearted, funny, yet serious enough for the viewer to walk away with a nugget of encouragement and a dose of reality.

I still poke around YouTube looking for fresh material to fill the time while I exercise, put on makeup, and do housework. Through web searches, I have found online courses, webinars, podcasts, and tips and to-do lists to keep a seeker of knowledge busier than a one-armed paperhanger.

Through this information-seeking, I became comfortable with the decision to retire from a full-time job soon and start writing. I’m done working in higher education; I’m seriously over it. I am ready for a new adventure. And just like someone embarking on a hobby of skiing or golf, I’ve got the equipment, the skills, and the foundational knowledge to get started.

Thank goodness I enjoy this stuff! I bet you do too.