I waited 41 years to write my novel.And within the first few months — after burning out, pantsing 70,000 words, and getting feedback that devastated me — I almost quit entirely.This is what happened. And what I wish someone had told me before I spent a year learning it the hard way.If you've been sitting on a book idea and wondering whether you have what it takes — this one's for you.📥 Early Writer's Blueprint (free) → The 30-day system I use to write my novel before my family wakes up.https://early.tcburr.com📖 STORY Framework (free PDF) → The five-element backbone that saved my manuscript.https://framework.tcburr.com🎓 STORY Framework Workshop → Go deeper with guided activities for your own story. https://tcburr.com/products/the-story-framework-ondemandCHAPTERS──────────────────────────0:00 I almost quit within a few months0:15 Approaching 41 — taking stock0:38 Atomic Habits changed my perspective1:21 I dove in and wrote everything I could1:54 The burnout nobody warned me about2:35 The guilt spiral and throwing in the towel3:08 The death spiral — back and forth for months3:22 The first unlock: intentional rest4:26 Rest isn't quitting — it's part of the system4:45 Finding my stride (but still pantsing)5:22 A tree with fragmented branches5:52 I hit 70,000 words and celebrated6:15 I took it to a writing coach6:37 What she actually said7:08 Impostor syndrome and almost hanging it up7:43 I swung to the opposite extreme7:52 The books I bought trying to fix it8:12 Too much structure — the story stopped being mine8:28 The Goldilocks problem9:06 What does every story have in common?9:15 The STORY Framework — my biggest unlock9:50 Five elements. One page. The backbone.10:20 The on-demand workshop10:36 Where I am now and what's next11:06 Why I'm telling you this11:41 Why I'm more useful than Stephen King right now11:55 Where are you in the process?12:16 Get the Early Writer's Blueprint freeGet Atomic Habitshttps://amzn.to/43X5nGJOther book & resources I lovehttps://books.tcburr.comSome of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.​As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.▶️ Subscribe → youtube.com/@tcburr

#WritingABook #AmWriting #WritingMotivation #FirstDraft#NaNoWriMo #WritingCommunity #HowToWriteANovel#WritingTips #BusyWriters #AuthorLife

If you've got a full time job, a full life, and a dream of writing a book, you've probably told yourself some version of this lie: I'll write when I find the time.

The problem is, that time isn't going to present itself. But it's there if you're willing to look for it.

Here's the formula I use to write my debut novel before my family wakes up — and how you can apply it to your own life, whatever your schedule looks like.

Get The Early Writer's Blueprint (free)https://early.tcburr.com

Chapters:0:00 — The lie every busy writer tells themselves0:47 — Why you need a system (not just motivation)1:45 — Step 1: Choose your time3:12 — The case for early mornings3:53 — "But I'm not a morning person"4:05 — The formula: how to calculate your alarm time6:28 — Why I reject "write every day" advice7:09 — The variables you can adjust7:42 — The summer steal (seasonal writing math)8:29 — The Early Writer's Blueprint (free download)

Get The Early Writer's Blueprint

https://early.tcburr.com

Build your STORY without overwhelm

https://framework.tcburr.com#WritingTips #BusyWriter #WriteABook #WritingRoutine #DebutNovelist #WritingCommunity #WritingMotivation

I switched from Scrivener to Deckle as a busy dad writing my book in the middle of a busy, full life, and the response to my first video about it was overwhelming. So today I'm not making the case for Deckle again, but instead I'm giving you the framework I'd want if I were deciding for myself.Five honest questions for writers considering a new tool, including the one I wish someone had asked me before I ever touched a piece of writing software. Whatever you decide, I want it to be the right call for you.Watch the first video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL6zF5W6v1s&t=45sIf you're leaning toward trying Deckle, code STORY gets you 10% off (early access pricing ends August 8th, 2026). This is an affiliate link, so I'll earn a small commission if you buy, and you'll get 10% off the purchase. https://deckle.studio/discount code STORY for 10% offIf you still need to figure out the story before the software, you need The (free) STORY Framework: https://framework.tcburr.comChapters0:00 Why I made this framework for writers0:22 The one rule that matters more than any tool0:54 Does your writing workflow already work?1:31 Why I switched from Scrivener to Deckle2:51 Is the comfort of the known worth something to you?5:01 What's your stance on AI and data privacy?6:48 Are you willing to invest in a premium writing tool?9:58 Is this just procrastination in disguise?11:35 What did you decide?#deckle #scrivener #scrivenervsdeckle #writingsoftware #howtowriteanovel #noveloutline #writingtips #novelwriting #writerscommunity #amwriting #debutnovel #alreadyawriter

If you've ever sat down to write and thought "my story just isn't working," you're not alone. And it's usually not a talent, time, or tool problem. Every unforgettable story answers the same five questions, whether the writer knows it or not.I took my kids to see Toy Story 5 recently and couldn't stop noticing how precisely it follows the same framework I teach my own students. The STORY Framework is 5 questions that create the backbone of your story, and I see it everywhere now, in books, movies, and even songs on the radio. In this video I break down all five elements using Toy Story 5 as the example (light on spoilers, I promise) and show you how to apply the same questions to the backbone of your own novel.Follow along and grab The STORY Framework for free: https://framework.tcburr.comWant to go deeper? Join my on-demand workshop: https://tcburr.com/products/the-story-framework-ondemandChapters:0:00 Why your story "isn't working" (and it's not talent)0:39 What Toy Story 5 gets right1:02 Why I created the STORY Framework1:35 The Goldilocks problem — too little structure, too much structure2:15 S — Specific Person2:32 Starting with "who," not "why"3:21 T — The Thing (want vs. need)5:03 O — The Opportunity6:05 R — The Real Struggle6:53 Y — Yearning Fulfilled7:34 Why great stories don't happen by accident8:36 Grab the STORY Framework (free)8:41 Go deeper with the on-demand workshopMentioned in this video:Story Genius by Lisa Cronhttps://amzn.to/4pvI8NSSave the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brodyhttps://amzn.to/4pqvLT4Other books and resources I love:https://books.tcburr.comSome of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you.As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Thanks for watching - Subscribe @tcburr for weekly writing tips and encouragement. You CAN finally write that book. And you should - even in the middle of a busy, full life.

Check out this weeks video demo at

https://youtu.be/hL6zF5W6v1s?is=Rr5aYbBgiT3OgShq

I've been recommending Scrivener for years.

It's a fantastic tool and it taught me how to write my book. But recently something changed.

A company called Deckle reached out and asked me to try their writing software, and I honestly didn't expect much.

But a month later, I've mostly stopped opening Scrivener, and I’ve found this tool to be a great alternative.

Try Deckle Studio & get 10% using my affiliate link (use coupon code STORY at checkout):

https://deckle.studio/?coupon=STORY

In this video I walk through what I found: the UI, the import process from Scrivener, the analytics, the export, and the honest tradeoffs of switching to a newer tool that's still in early access.

I also share what it's been like working directly with the founder, including features he's shipped based on feedback from me and from my own community.

This isn't a sponsored video. I have an affiliate relationship with Deckle (same as I do with Scrivener), which you can read more about below.

Try Deckle and get 10% off with my coupon code STORY:

https://deckle.studio/?coupon=STORY

(use code STORY at checkout)

If you make a purchase with my code, I'll earn a small commission, and you'll save 10%.

Want help building your story? Grab the STORY Framework (free):

https://framework.tcburr.com

Want to go deeper? The on-demand workshop:

https://tcburr.com/products/the-story-framework-ondemand

#deckle #deckleapp #scrivener #scrivenervsdeckle #writingsoftware #noveloutline #howtowriteanovel #writingtips #novelwriting #writerscommunity #amwriting #debutnovel #writingapp #bookwriting #alreadyawriter

Every week, thousands of aspiring writers watch video after video, listen to podcast after podcast about craft, tools, and systems...and still don't write their books. I used to be one of them.In this video, I share what my own YouTube analytics revealed about why some writing content gets clicks but doesn't move the needle, and what the real gap is between wanting to write a book and actually writing one.If you've been circling this dream for years and can't figure out why you're still stuck, this might be the most useful 6 minutes you spend this week.Chapters:0:00 — The question you probably don't want to answer0:35 — What my YouTube analytics actually showed me1:15 — The two types of writing content (and what they do differently)2:10 — Want vs. need: why this distinction explains everything3:30 — The real reason your book isn't getting written4:25 — What this means for you right now5:10 — The one thing to do before you watch another videoGet the free framework that helped me finally build the backbone of my novel:→ https://framework.tcburr.com#writingadvice #howtowriteanovel #firstnovel #writingmotivation #novelwriting #aspiring writer #writingtips #writeyourbook #bookcommunity #writersofyoutube

I was on a video call with my whole team of 20 or 30 people when I said it out loud for the first time: "The fun fact about me is that I'm writing a novel." Then I ducked for cover.What happened next surprised me. And I think it might change the way you think about the book you've been sitting on.Grab the FREE Early Writer's Blueprint — the exact system I use to write my book before my family wakes up:→ https://early.tcburr.comIn this video I talk about the false dichotomy I believed for years (quit everything OR give up your dream), the language progression that actually worked for me, and the 3 things that happened the moment I stopped keeping my book a secret.If you've been keeping your book a secret because part of you doesn't feel like a real writer yet, this one's for you.If you're writing a book with a full life in the way, subscribe @tcburr . New videos weekly.Chapters0:00 — The Zoom call0:36 — Why I kept my book a secret1:12 — The false dichotomy I believed2:09 — You can have both2:44 — The language ladder: how I eased into calling myself a writer4:23 — What I expected to happen (and what actually did)5:34 — 3 things that happen when you say it out loud7:29 — What I know now that I didn't know then8:05 — My challenge to you this week#WritingCommunity #WritingABook #AlreadyAWriter #FirstNovel #WritingMotivation

In the special, unscripted, just for the podcast episode, I describe writing your book in seasons.

Some seasons of life are hectic and busy without a lot of extra time, bandwidth, or energy.

Others may be more laid-back, relaxed, and move at a slower pace.

Why should our writing rhythms look the same, regardless of what else is going on in our lives?

An interview I heard recently with author John Grisham really challenged my thinking on this

Grisham was talking about when he typically writes and said “that’s a good time to write.”

I wondered why he thought this.

And I wonder what it might look like if we gave ourselves permission to write in seasons The way Grisham does.

If you love this episode, subscribe to the show and leave a rating or review. Those really do matter..

And to follow along with more video based content, subscribe at youtube.com/@tcburr