In the summer of 2020, I got this crazy idea to write a romance novel. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing or what I was getting myself into. But now, almost five years later, I can honestly say I have learned… a lot about the process. And the publishing industry.

Just this past weekend, I attended a Valentine’s Day themed vendor fair. One very kind lady stopped by my table and said, “Oh, I could never write a book.” And I found myself replying, “Sure you can! It’s not that hard.”

In hindsight, the look she gave me was quite comical. Because when I stop and really think about it, five years ago I felt the same way she did. Writing a book is a daunting task.

For this month’s blog, I took a step back and reflected on how I felt writing my first book and identified five things you can expect from the inaugural process:  

1 – It won’t always feel fun. I remember the thrill of writing my first scene, blindly unaware of how terrible my writing was, how underdeveloped my characters were, how poor my dialogue… the list goes on. It was absolutely enthralling through, writing those first few chapters. There will be days when the words flow, and the story comes alive. But there will also be days when the words won’t come, and you want to give up. I definitely had moments where I thought I would never finish. My advice is to simply keep going. Don’t let the hard days stop your progress. Push through the tricky parts and remember why you started writing the story to begin with.

2 – Expect your first draft to suck. Even a seasoned author’s first draft is terrible. That’s the point of the first draft! You’re simply telling yourself the story and getting the words down on paper. When writing your first book, set your expectations low and get ready to learn a lot about self-editing (see my top ten tips for self-editing here). You’ll also want to begin researching professional editing services. I highly recommend you begin with a developmental edit, followed by a line/copy edit, and then a final proofread. Trust me, you’ll need the extra help and knowledge more than ever on your first go-around.

3 – It may not be the first book you publish. Every story you write teaches you something. You get better at storytelling, writing, character development, plot, dialogue, etc. The first book you write could just be a learning experience and that’s okay! Keep that in mind as you go along.

4 – It’s going to take you a long time. Writing a book is not a simple process. Depending on the complexity of your story, it could take years for your manuscript to truly shine. Couple that with a (possible) lack of writing skills, time, and knowledge—not to mention the actual publishing path you choose to pursue, and you’re looking at a lengthy bit of time before seeing your book on a shelf in a store. My best advice is to not stress over the timeline, but to sit back and enjoy the holistic process. There’s no rush. The only timeline you’re on is your own!

5 – Expect to gain a ton of other great skills besides just getting better with words. As a writer, I’ve learned to be more patient, disciplined, and hard-working. I’ve also gotten better at researching, fact-finding, and time management. And these skillsets are just the tip of the iceberg. I’ve also learned about publishing paths, website design, social media, graphic design, public speaking, finances, taxes, etc. Writing a book isn’t just about storytelling. It also teaches you a myriad of other useful life skills.

In sum, writing a book is exceptionally fun and rewarding, but there are things to be aware of before you jump into the process. No matter what, just enjoy the experience. I know I sure do!