Trusting the process (Or, you wrote a book: now what?)

In less than 10 weeks, I wrote 60,092 words to complete the first draft of my novel (see “My future self…”). So here I sit with #allthefeels. When I first began this journey, I imagined what it would feel like to hold my finished manuscript. And, although it’s still in electronic form, I can’t say it’s what I expected. Since the day I typed “the end” (or in my case ###), my emotions vacillate from elated to underwhelm, with several limiting beliefs tossed in to create mental drama. But now that I’ve completed the first draft, it seems logical to undertake the second draft, possibly a third, followed by critique groups and/or beta readers, revisions and editing; then soliciting agents and editors and creating a platform to further engage with readers. At first, it appears daunting. Yet I’ve done the hard part: I wrote a book. Now I get to continue trusting the process and focus on one step at a time.

Where can you trust the process?

Image source: seedgrowth.wordpress.com.

Permission to pursue: no. 1 way to improve at anything

Anyone among my circle of friends and family—even those who extend beyond its borders—knows I love all things literary. I devour books like they’re a lifeline. And I’ve always, ever since I can recall, longed to write. As a child, pencil and journal in hand, I crafted scripts for my dolls; one year, a piece of “flash” fiction—My Life as a Kitchen Table—adorned the wall of an elementary school art fair. Throughout the subsequent years, my desire for the “write life” buckled under the weight of life. Fast-forward decades: a degree in literature, writing and film; a collection of guest blog posts; articles penned and published in lifestyle and trade publications. But my heart. My heart bleeds for fiction. Make-believe. The HEA. Herein lies the biggest lesson thus far: To improve at anything requires 100% devotion. Sometimes the results resemble crap. But other times the stars align into something magical. And your soul ignites on fire.

What is it you need permission to pursue?

Image source: https://romancewritinglab.com/