Erin Radniecki • Book Coach

Category: Mindset

Having the right mindset makes writing your novel easier, and the makes the writing process more enjoyable.

  • When Can I Stop Learning and Start Writing?

    When Can I Stop Learning and Start Writing?

    Someone recently asked me: “How do you balance learning about writing with applying what you’ve learned?”

    I’m addressing this topic in a series of blog posts. You can read here about learning about writing versus actually writing, and
    if you’re using learning to hide from writing here.

    Today I’ll specifically be talking about when you can stop learning about writing a book and finally start writing it.

    When you first decided you wanted to write a book, you may have done what a lot of people do when they’re trying something new: you focused on learning.

    You started reading books about writing, listening to podcasts about writing, and maybe even attended a writing workshop or two.

    But somewhere along the line you started to wonder: Have I learned enough to stop learning and start writing?

    It’s a valid question.

    How do you know if you’ve learned enough to begin?

    And it has a very straightforward answer:
    Whatever you’ve done, it’s enough to get started.

    You’ve read a dozen how-to books, listened to seasons of writing podcasts, and follow your favorite authors on social media?
    You’re ready.

    You’ve read half of one how-to book and a few blog posts?
    You’re ready.

    You’ve done absolutely no research whatsoever?
    You’re ready.

    That’s right. No matter what you have or have not done, you are ready to begin writing.
    In fact, you’re more than ready. You should start today.

    If I sound quite certain about my answer, it’s because I am.

    I believe strongly that the risk of losing your internal drive and not starting is greater than the risk of beginning without knowing what you’re doing.

    Because here’s the truth:
    You’re never truly going to know how to write a book until you do it.

    There are hundreds (probably thousands) of resources available to help you write your novel. But that’s all they are – help. They aren’t a prerequisite to starting.

    And you know what? They aren’t going anywhere. They are available now, and they will still be available later. 

    You can always refer to them down the road, when you have a more specific question than, “How do I write a novel?” (Pro tip: it’s usually more effective to read books on writing craft when you’re trying to address a specific hangup.)

    If having a guide helps you to feel supported and confident as you begin your writing journey, and makes it more likely that you’ll take that first step, that’s great! 

    You should choose one, but hold it loosely as you start your novel. 

    Don’t worry about finding the “perfect” guide, or the one that’s “just right” for your story. It’s a guide, not a prescription.

    Here’s the not-so-secret bottom line:
    If you want to write your book, whether you’ve prepared or not, just get started.

    Don’t let a perceived lack of knowledge get in your way. I guarantee you’re more ready than you think you are.

    Now, if you don’t have a resource to help you get started and you’d like one, I have a simple guide that helps you focus on the 5 essential elements that your novel needs in order to resonate with readers. You can grab it below.

    Ready to stop preparing
    and start writing?

    Download the free guide now!

      I won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

    • Writing Through Resistance

      Writing Through Resistance

      I’ve been sitting here at my computer for a while, feeling resistant to writing anything. So, I thought I’d write a blog post about feeling resistant to writing! 

      I’m sure you’ve experienced resistance to writing at some point, too. When you sit down to write, fully intending to make progress, only to find your brain would rather do anything else. 

      Personally, as I’ve been sitting here trying to get started, it seemed like the perfect time to open Google translate and see how much of my college French I’ve retained. (Answer: not a lot, but more than I expected!)

      Why can it be so difficult to actually sit down and write?

      You want to make progress. You want to finish your book. And yet, when the opportunity arises, you suddenly find countless tasks that need to take priority. You’re easily distracted, jumping up for a drink of water, a sweater, to adjust the lighting, and so on.

      There are a couple things making it hard to write in this situation.

      First, the task that you are undertaking is a creative one, and creative tasks take a lot of brain power.

      Your brain is actually reluctant to take on activities that use large amounts of energy. It sees its primary job as keeping you alive, and expending energy on non-essential functions is not very efficient.

      So your brain would much rather direct you to consuming something safe that someone else has created. Like online cat videos.

      The second factor that makes beginning difficult, is that you’re fighting against inertia.

      Think of a train at rest at a station. When it’s time to move it takes a lot of effort to get rolling. But once it is going, the momentum carries it forward.

      The initial movement is difficult and takes a lot of energy, but things roll on smoothly afterward.

      So, how do you push back against inertia and your brain trying to keep you safe, so that you can write your dang book?

      Trick your brain

      In order to circumvent your brain’s “helpful” impulse to protect you, challenge yourself to write as badly as possible. 

      Think about it: when you sit down to write, you’re usually trying to write well. You’re trying to do your best and translate your ideas onto the page in compelling, descriptive prose.

      That pressure can make your brain freeze up. 

      Instead, remove that pressure, and tell yourself you are going to write terribly. Cheer yourself on as you go: 

      “Oh that’s awful!” 

      “So boring!” 

      “What drivel” 

      “You can do worse than that!” 

      If your brain is telling you that you can’t write well, then agree with it and write anyway!

      The size of the goal matters

      My go-to approach to tackle inertia is to set a very small writing goal: just 100 words. 

      When I’m feeling resistant to writing, I tell myself I just have to write 100 words, and then I can stop.

      That’s about one long paragraph. It’s such a small goal that it’s hard to argue I can’t do it.

      It’s as though I were staring down a huge weedy flower bed, but my job was only to pull one weed. It would be hard to say no to such a small request. But I would find it impossible to pull just one. (After all, I’ve put on my gardening gloves and have my trowel and bucket, I might as well dig a few…)

      And once I’ve written 100 words, I’m usually ready to keep going. I got the train rolling, and I’ve picked up momentum. 

      Acknowledgement, not excuses

      What these two approaches have in common is that they acknowledge how you’re feeling, and they reduce the expectation of productivity, but they don’t let you off the hook completely.

      Because the writing does need to happen.

      We can’t always wait until we’re burning with inspiration and momentum to write, or the book will never get written.

      When I use the 100 word trick, I typically end up with about 800 words. That’s not a lot, but it’s a lot more than I would have had if I let resistance win. And you can absolutely write a first draft in 800 word increments!

      It’s a fact: resistance is going to happen. It might show up occasionally, or every time you sit down to write. But you can’t let resistance run the show and still reach your writing goals.

    • Should You Worry If Your Novel Has a Twin?

      Should You Worry If Your Novel Has a Twin?

      I just finished reading a novel that had some strong similarities to the book that I’m writing – and I’m not mad about it. 

      If you’ve ever had the experience of coming across a published book that resembles your work in progress (WIP), you may have thought something along the lines of, “Ugh, someone else wrote my book and did it better than me! Now I have to start over with a new idea.”

      Step away from the delete key, because I’m here to tell you you don’t need to bail on your book when you discover your WIP has a doppelgänger.

      While at first it may seem that finding a book similar to what you’re writing is a problem, it’s really not the end of the world. 

      You may worry that there isn’t room in the publishing industry for books that are alike, that your idea isn’t original enough, or that you won’t be able to write a book of equivalent quality. Just the knowledge that a book like yours exists in the world can be disheartening, maybe even to the point that you want to give up on your story.

      Let’s take a moment and acknowledge that there are millions of creative people working on novels, screenplays, poetry, music, and art at any given moment. And it’s reasonable to assume that more than one person will find inspiration in a given topic or premise at the same time. 

      There’s actually a name for it when it happens with movies: twin films. (Anyone remember when Antz and A Bug’s Life both came out in 1998?)

      But just like twin films, which have no problem coexisting in the theaters, similar books can absolutely coexist on the bookshelf.

      In fact, here are three reasons it’s actually a good thing to find a novel similar to yours. 

      A Helpful Opportunity

      First, you have a chance to evaluate the book and note what you liked about it, and what didn’t work for you. Ask yourself how your book is different and unique to you. 

      Even though you may be worried these books are twins, if you look closely there will be big differences. They may have similar elements – maybe they are both mythology retellings, or they each have a Deaf protagonist – but it’s unlikely that they are completely alike. Stick with this exercise until you move beyond the panic and are able to compare and contrast the books with a clear head.

      It’s Market Research

      Second, finding a book similar to your WIP proves there is an audience for what you’re writing. People often have particular genres or tropes they like to read, so when they’ve finished a book they loved they’re desperately looking for another book with the same vibes. Knowing there’s a market for books like yours can give you the confidence to keep writing when things get tough.   

      Preparing for Publication

      Third, if you plan on pursuing traditional publishing, you’ll need to be able to name two to four comparative (comp) titles in your pitch materials. 

      A comp title is a published book that is similar to your book and would appeal to the same readers. And if you’ve found a book similar to yours, you now have a new comp title. Even if you’re not thinking about publishing, having a few comp titles in mind makes it easier to tell people what your book is about. 

      Now, back to my WIP and its doppelgänger.

      Did I have any panicked thoughts as I read this new-to-me book? Did I worry that all my efforts had been wasted because another author beat me to the bookshelf?

      Honestly, no. 

      I loved the book, I enjoyed reading it, and it motivated me to keep working on my novel. 

      You read that right: it motivated me to keep writing! 

      Holding a real life example of a book that could sit next to mine in a bookstore or library was exciting. It helped me picture what my book would look like, and what the reading experience would be like for my audience. It also helped me identify areas where I want to level-up my writing.

      Finding a novel similar to your WIP certainly has the potential to send you into a panic spiral. But before you freak out, take a breath and do a reality check. Novels are incredibly complex forms of writing, and each one is created by a unique author who brings their own voice and inspiration. 

      You can write the book you’re dreaming of, and even if you find its doppelgänger, you can be confident that your novel will be unique to you.

    • How to Keep Writing, Even When It’s Hard

      How to Keep Writing, Even When It’s Hard

      I’ve reached an exciting life milestone:  My home is finally free of a child’s play kitchen. 
      (And before you ask, yes, I promise this is related to writing.)

      The play kitchen had been in my dining room for a decade, and honestly there were times I thought I would never be rid of it. I was tired of seeing it day after day, month after month. So when my youngest announced that it was time to find it a new home, I jumped into action.

      Do I miss the kitchen? No, not right now. But I know that some day I will. I’ll look back longingly on the times when a tiny chef would cook me a pretend dinner.

      That’s the thing with phases: it’s hard to appreciate them when you’re going through them. 

      And writing a novel, like parenting, is a big task made up of many phases. You might find some phases fun, while others are less so. 

      But it’s important to find a way to enjoy (or at least appreciate) the phase that you are in, while you are in it.

      Because if you wait until your book is complete to enjoy it, well, you may never reach the finish line. 

      Having the motivation to show up and write is hard when you’re dreading the work. 

      Actively looking for something enjoyable in each phase of the writing process ensures you keep showing up all the way through completion.

      Different phases use different skills

      It can be helpful to notice that each phase of the writing process uses different skills and strengths:

      • Foundational planning involves dreaming big and imagining all the directions your story could go.
      • Writing the first draft uses puzzle solving and pattern identification as you work out exactly how the main character will move through the story.
      • Revising means stepping back and evaluating the big picture.
      • Polishing involves drilling down and looking closely at each paragraph and sentence.

      If you’re in a phase that requires a strength that isn’t in your wheelhouse, it’s understandable that you might struggle. The trick is to figure out how to do the work anyway.

      One approach is to identify a non-writing task that uses similar skills as the writing phase you’re in, and consider how you make that task enjoyable (or at least less painful) in life. What mindset or re-framing tools do you use to tackle a task that doesn’t play to your strengths at work or at home? Can you use a similar approach in your writing?

      Struggling with a writing phase 

      When you’re struggling with a phase of your novel, it can be hard to want to work on it. 

      Perhaps the phase is new and you feel shaky about it. 
      Or the skills needed in this phase don’t match your preferred skill set. 
      You might wonder if you’re doing it right, or if you’re wasting your time and energy. 

      In the moment, a phase can feel uncomfortable, it can be a struggle, or it might even feel painful. But being aware of what’s making it hard can help you find a way through it.

      Check in with yourself and ask, why is this phase feeling impossible? It might be the task itself (like writing in a scene rather than a summary, or improving dialogue), unrealistic expectations you’re putting on yourself, or the slow pace of the work.

      Once you’ve identified the issue, look for a creative way around it. You might tape some paper over your screen to prevent you from editing as you write, or challenge yourself to write the worst dialogue possible. Do something that will lift you out of the heaviness you’re feeling and help you loosen up.

      Each phase is temporary

      Whether you like the writing phase you’re in, or you’re really struggling with it, take time to remember that it is just a phase. By definition, you will eventually complete it and move to a new one. 

      That next phase will likely be daunting in new ways. And when you look back, the old phase may seem easier or simpler. The reality is that since you’ve overcome it, it doesn’t hold the same power that it did when you were in the middle of it.

      As you’re moving through each phase of your writing journey, remember that the work you’re doing is something that most people never even attempt. It may feel uncomfortable right now, but take pride in the struggle. Doing the hard thing is worth it.

      Choosing to write a novel means agreeing to tackle a variety of types of work, from visioning and planning, to drafting and polishing. Not every phase of the process will light you up, but if you can commit to finding some enjoyment at each point you increase your chances of finishing your book.

    • What You Realize After You’re Published

      What You Realize After You’re Published

      One thing I didn’t have on my 2026 bingo card was having a short story published in an anthology! Being included in the Cai Emmons Short Fiction Contest Anthology has been an exciting surprise.

      I don’t typically work in short form fiction, and I’d never submitted my writing to a contest, but I thought, why not? The worst that will happen is I’ll get a polite rejection email. I felt like I could handle that. 

      So this past fall, I took a break from revising my novel, wrote and revised a 3,000 word short story, and sent it off to the contest. Three months later, I was thrilled to find out my story had won a prize and was going to be included in the anthology! 

      This past week I had the amazing experience of reading my story, Fragile, in front of a virtual audience at the anthology launch event.

      Now that I’m able to hold the physical book, see my short story in print, and have read a portion of it publicly, I’ve been reflecting on the experience of being published. 

      Here’s what I’ve learned:

      Publishing means giving up control

      I don’t know about you, but whenever I daydream about being published, I envision my words landing perfectly with readers. I can see now how much that is out of my control. 

      Once I’ve released my words out into the world, there’s nothing more I can do beyond promoting my work.

      If I find a typo, or I wish I had written a passage more succinctly, there’s no recourse. If I think of a more apt metaphor or a better turn of phrase, well… that ship has sailed.

      If I have second thoughts about how I represented a character or a place, there’s nothing I can do to change it. (Luckily, I caught those missteps during the revision process.)

      I’m learning that you’re always going to find things you want to change after you’ve seen your writing in print. But you have to find a point where you’re satisfied, and then let the words go out in the world. 

      The alternative is to hold them so tightly that no one else ever gets to experience and benefit from them.

      This is a place where a lot of writers get stuck, and can end up in an endless cycle of revision. As a book coach, I help writers notice when revising is necessary and when it has become a form of procrastination driven by fear. Having a trusted person to help you realize it’s time to let the writing be what it is can make the process feel less agonizing and give you a sense of peace.

      Readers bring their own perspective

      One of the biggest challenges for fiction writers of any format (novel, novella, short story, etc.) is that you have the burden of knowing what you’re trying to say. 

      You can see the story you’re creating in your mind’s eye, which means that when you read your writing, your mind fills in details that aren’t there.

      When a reader picks up your work, they don’t have access to those details. If not done well this can lead to confusion on their part, potentially causing them to put your story down without finishing it. 

      But an outcome that I think is even more frustrating is when someone reads your writing and interprets it differently than you intended. 

      Here’s an example: I was surprised to learn that someone considered the protagonist in my story to be annoying. They didn’t mean that as a derogatory comment, in fact they said, ‘I love an annoying protagonist.’ 

      That gave me pause. I thought I had written a protagonist who was passionate. But as I considered all the details about the character that I had included in the story, I could see how a reader might classify her as annoying. 

      Thoughts, behaviors, and character traits that we create can be interpreted very differently by readers, because they are bringing their own opinions, perspective, and world view to the words.

      I’m learning that you can’t control how readers interpret your work. All you can do is make your best attempt at clearly conveying your story. 

      Quick tip: If it’s important to you that readers feel a particular way about something, use beta readers and specifically ask for their take.

      Sharing your writing can be scary… but it’s worth it

      Writing is by nature a solo activity. 

      You can write hundreds of pages, and if you keep them to yourself no one will ever know they exist. 

      That knowledge can be a comfort. You’re in control, you get to choose if your writing ever sees the light of day.

      But stories are meant to be shared. Words are meant to be read by people other than the writer. The whole point of putting ideas on paper (physical or digital) is to be able to share information. And I think, deep down, writers do want others to read their words. 

      But that means going public. It means being open to readers not ‘getting’ what you’re trying to express. It means releasing control of who talks about your writing and what they say. 

      The biggest obstacle to submitting your writing for publishing opportunities might very well be crossing the threshold from private to public. 

      I get it, it’s scary to put your words out for others to consume – and judge.

      But if you let doubt, uncertainty, and fear of judgement stand in your way, no one will ever read your writing. You’ll never know what you’re capable of if you don’t find a way to move past doubt and give it a try. 

      There’s a reason I chose a local writing contest as my first foray into sharing my fiction:
      It seemed approachable. 

      I could picture other writers just like me, living in my neck of the world, choosing to be brave and submitting their story for judges to read. That made submitting my story a little less intimidating, and helped me to feel a part of the larger writing community. 

      Even if my short story hadn’t been chosen for the anthology, just going through the process would have been worth it. After all, my identity as a writer changed over the course of six months. I can now say I’m a short story author who enters writing contests!

      It has been a fun experience to write a short story and share it with other people. And it’s something I plan on doing more of in the future, even as I continue to work on my novel. 

      I’ve learned many lessons from this publishing experience. That knowledge will help prepare me for the day that my novel is ready to go out in the world, and it will also help me prepare my clients for the realities of publishing.

      Some links on this page are affiliate links.

    • Will I Ever Finish This Book?

      Will I Ever Finish This Book?

      Do you know what I love? A helpful progress bar.

      Whether I’m filling out a digital survey, completing an online course, or filing my taxes, I want to be able to see exactly where I am in the process. It helps me feel grounded and secure. Without it, I feel adrift, wondering what exactly I signed up for and if it’s too late to bail out.

      One place I would be thrilled to have a progress bar is in my writing.

      Imagine if our novels came with progress bars, showing us just how much further we need to go until the book is finished. And not just a finished first draft, but a completed manuscript, revised and polished and ready for the world. Wouldn’t that make it so much easier to keep going? Sounds pretty dreamy to me.

      The reality is, wherever you stand in your writing process at this moment, you really have no idea how close (or far) you are from being truly done. 

      Sure, you may have a guess how long it will take you to finish your first draft, or how long until your current round of revisions is complete. But you don’t know if your draft is hiding a major plot hole, or how many revision passes you’ll end up needing. 

      When we write a novel, we don’t actually know how long it will take to finish the book. And when we don’t know how far we need to go to reach our destination, it can feel unreachable. 

      It’s like having a map, but no legend to tell you the scale. Does one inch equal a mile or 100 miles? Three revision passes or 30? Two years of writing or 10? 

      When I look at my unfinished manuscript and wonder if I’ll ever finish it, this is what I tell myself:
      As long as you’re still working at it, you’re still getting closer. 

      If you’re still writing, still learning, and still taking small steps toward finishing your novel, then you are moving ever closer to your destination. 

      If you keep working at it, you will finish your novel, it’s just a question of when. (This is when that progress bar would really come in handy.) 

      How do you ensure that you keep moving forward toward your goal without throwing in the towel? 
      Here are five things you can do. 


      Keep taking small steps 

      Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes stamina and grit to complete a novel. To keep going you need to continually take small, steady steps toward your goal. Bonus points if you take a variety of steps to accommodate periods of high and low energy, and seasons of life that are busier than others. 

      For example, some days you might add to your word count, while others you might read an article about writing dialogue, or peruse your local bookstore to see what’s new in your genre.

      Keeping your book in the front of your mind will prevent it from slipping to the back burner.


      Reflect

      Once you’ve made it a habit to take small steps, the next thing to do is stop and reflect on all that progress you’ve made. Afterall, what’s the point of making consistent progress if you never stop to appreciate it?

      Reflecting might look like keeping a journal of how you’re feeling about your writing, recording your word count on a calendar, or just pausing to acknowledge, I’m doing this! Whatever method you choose, schedule time to do it regularly.


      Enjoy yourself along the way

      A sure fire way to guarantee you’ll give up is to make the writing process painful. If you think inflicting impossible-to-reach word count goals, and hours-long writing sessions on yourself is the way to successfully finish your novel, you’re going to be disappointed. 

      Instead of having high production expectations, which are guaranteed to cause burnout and avoidance, try having high fulfillment expectations. Set the expectation that writing will be fun, and then make it so.

      Try connecting your writing with something you enjoy, like a special beverage, treat, or writing ritual of some kind. I know writers who track their writing sessions in fun ways and share the tally with others at the end of the month. 

      Whatever you can do to make yourself smile when you write is worth trying!

      Remember what first sparked your interest

      Since writing a novel is such a long process, it’s possible to forget why you actually fell in love with your story idea in the first place. 

      When that little seed of a story has grown and you find yourself juggling a cast of complex characters, multiple points of view, and a fantastical world, you may look around and wonder, how did I get here?

      Occasionally reconnecting with that little story idea and remembering why it was so persistently stuck in your head can help you feel grounded and reorient your focus on your novel.

      Connect with other writers

      Humans are gregarious. We like to be part of a group. (Yes, even introverted writers!) And when you’re doing something as difficult as writing a novel, having one or more people to connect with is crucial.

      Seeing others trying, struggling, and overcoming the same obstacles you have helps you not feel so alone. 

      There are many places to find fellow writers, and connecting doesn’t have to mean swapping pages or giving (or receiving) feedback. 

      Here’s one way I’ve created this space for myself: I host two online co-writing sessions every week. There isn’t a lot of chit chat, and we don’t swap pages. We just gather, say hi, write for about an hour, and sign off. But even something as simple as that has given us the accountability needed to show up for our writing. You’re welcome to join me! You can sign up here.

      If you look around I bet you’ll find a variety of opportunities to connect with other writers, either in person or online. And if you don’t, create your own!



      When you’re deep in the writing trenches, wondering if you’ll ever finish your novel, just remember: As long as you keep working on it, you’re getting closer to the finish line all the time. If your novel had a progress bar, I bet you’d be surprised to see how much headway you’re making.

    • 3 Lessons for Writing a First Draft

      3 Lessons for Writing a First Draft

      Recently I shared an interview with a client (we’ll call her Karla), who recently finished the first draft of her novel. (Woo hoo! 🎉) If you missed that conversation, you can read it here.

      If you’re hoping to be in a similar position in 2026, here are 3 key takeaways from Karla’s interview that you should pay attention to.

      1. It takes time

      Karla has learned that it takes a lot of time to write a manuscript, even longer than she originally thought it would. What is your expected timeline to finish your draft? Do you think it’s realistic? 

      Let’s do some math. If an average novel is about 80,000 words (length is dependent on genre, but this is a nice round number to work with), and there are around 250 words on a double spaced manuscript page, you’ll be writing about 320 pages to complete your draft. 

      Now, how many pages can you realistically write in a week or month? Not during November, when some people are burning the candle at both ends trying to write 50,000 words. 

      In a typical month, where you’re dealing with life and work, how many pages can you complete? 

      There’s no right answer here, and certainly no judgement! Some people write fast and some write slow (that’s me!). The aim is to have realistic expectations. 

      Let’s say you can write 20 pages a month. That means you should plan to spend 16 months writing your draft. How does that number feel to you? Is it shorter or longer than you had imagined? If you want to finish your draft in less time, you might need to allocate more of your time each week to writing.

      2. Make it a routine

      Karla noticed that while it was hard to sit down and write at the beginning of the drafting process, it got easier with time. If you stay away from your draft for weeks at a time and then expect to be able to sit down and knock out a few thousand words, you might find your results are less than ideal.

      While it’s true that everyone has their own process, and I’m not here to dictate what yours should be, the sheer size of your goal means that tackling it in small, regular doses will increase your odds of success.

      Keeping a routine is especially important if you feel resistance every time you sit down to write. That resistance is your brain panicking at the enormous feat you’re attempting. 

      It’s saying, “Hold up, there are a lot of unknowns here. It’s looking a little dangerous, so let’s slowly back away from the computer and binge watch a nice, familiar Netflix drama.” 

      But with regular writing sessions, you’ll train your brain not to go into protector mode and you’ll see your word count grow.

      3. First draft ≠ Final draft

      Karla knows that when she types The End on her manuscript, she is far from done. This is an important lesson, because many writers think it’s an easy downhill coast after writing that first draft. 

      In reality, the revision process often represents more work than drafting, not less.

      If you find that thought discouraging, try looking at it this way:  You have every reason to loosen up and play while you’re drafting! 

      Knowing that most of what you write in your first draft will end up getting refreshed as you revise can help you release the death grip you have on your story, and maybe even keep that inner critic at bay.


      These three takeaways can help you achieve your goal of writing a first draft, no matter your experience level, the genre you’re writing in, or how much time you can devote to writing. 

      Writing the first draft of a novel is a big undertaking. Having realistic expectations can help you get to The End, and have more fun along the way!

    • The Writer’s Holiday Survival Guide: Managing Awkward Conversations About Your Writing

      The Writer’s Holiday Survival Guide: Managing Awkward Conversations About Your Writing

      If you’re planning to gather with friends and family this holiday season you may be dreading every writer’s worst case scenario: direct inquisition about your writing. 🫣

      Whether it’s the eagerly supportive “So, how’s your book coming along?” or the aggressive “Are you still wasting time writing?” having the public spotlight on your book, your progress, or your process can be stressful.

      All that attention can bring up a platter of insecurities and trigger a gravy boat full of self doubt. 

      Since we are at the start of the holiday season, I’ve put together a little survival guide to help you get through any awkward conversations you might encounter in the coming weeks.

      Choose who’s in your writing support circle. 

      The first thing to remember is that you get to choose who hears about your writing. Spend some time now to identify the people who you feel safe sharing writing updates with, and those you don’t.

      Envision a target. The people in your life who you consider to be a safe and supportive audience for writing realities go in the center bullseye. Those who are approved for generic writing updates go in the second ring, and anyone who shall-not-for-any-reason-be-told-about-your-book lands in the third ring. 

      Do not consider your family tree when making these designations. There are no rules here. If your second cousin’s wife is your staunch supporter, she goes in the bullseye. Your mom, who rolls her eyes at any mention of your writing, is in the outer ring. This is about support, not genetics.


      They don’t know what they don’t know. 

      Recognize that most questions come from a lack of knowledge about the writing and publishing process. When responding to a triggering question, take a deep breath and ask yourself if providing a little context would lead to a deeper conversation (and one that is focused on an industry rather than on you).

      For example, friends and family probably haven’t done the math around just how long it takes to write 70k, 80k, or 100k words. They might think you only need to write the first draft, run it through spell check, and call it a day, rather than going through multiple rounds of revision. If you’re feeling up to it, take a moment to share some writing realities with them.

      Not everyone goes pro. 

      If someone assumes that your version of success equals getting your book traditionally published, it might be helpful to point out that spending time on an activity you enjoy doesn’t mean you want to quit your day job. Lots of people take watercolor classes or train for marathons, but that doesn’t mean they want to become famous painters or sponsored athletes. 

      Now, it is absolutely okay to use this tactic even if you do hope to publish your novel some day! Remember, you get to choose who knows what about your writing dreams, and this can be a helpful way to deflect unwanted scrutiny while protecting what’s important to you.

      The money conversation. 

      Ick, money. It’s a taboo subject for a reason. But if it does come up that you spent money (or want to spend money) on your writing, and you’re getting some raised eyebrows, I suggest you frame the topic this way: people invest in activities they enjoy all the time. 

      Next, let the examples fly. Sports fans go to sporting events, and music lovers attend concerts. Knitters spend a lot on yarn, and it’s common for golfers to work with a golf pro. If you really want to be prepared, you can think of the interests that are popular in your family and have them at the ready. 

      The fact is, if you want to go to a writing conference or hire a book coach, that’s how you choose to invest in your craft and you shouldn’t feel bad about it. (And no one has any right to make you feel bad about it!)

      You don’t have to engage.

      If someone asks how your book is coming along and they are not a safe person to share the truth with, then don’t. Give a vaguely positive answer and then redirect the conversation. “The writing is great, thanks for asking. How’s your pickle ball game these days? I heard you were in a tournament.”

      I hope that you don’t have to employ any of these techniques during your holiday gatherings. But if you find yourself in a difficult conversation, hopefully these tips will help you get through them with grace and confidence.

      And while the holidays may be the hardest time to have these conversations, in reality they can happen any time of year. It’s worth your energy to draw these boundaries now so that you have them whenever you need them.

    • Finishing a First Draft

      Finishing a First Draft

      This week I want to celebrate a client of mine. We’ll call her Karla. She’s been working hard on the first draft of her novel for fourteen months now, and she’s getting excitingly close to having a complete manuscript!

      As a writer on the verge of a big milestone, I wanted to get Karla’s reflections on her process so far, and share her takeaways with you.

      Karla, you’ve been working on your draft for just over a year. If you could talk to the Karla of a year ago, what would you tell her about this process?

      I would tell her that writing a first draft is a long process, and it’s okay that it’s taking longer than she thought it would, even longer than it might take other writers. Some days will be harder than others, but if you push through the writer’s block and hard days, it is rewarding to meet your weekly page goals and see how far you’ve gotten in the story. You’re also laying down the foundation of your story, so it’s fine if what you’re writing now isn’t perfect. You’re setting yourself up to build and refine what you’ve already written when you come back and do edits.

      ​

      You’re about three quarters of the way through your draft. Is there anything about the process so far that has been easier than you thought it would be? Anything that has been harder?

      Easier: It’s [now] easier to sit down and write something. At first, I found it difficult to find the motivation to work because I saw how far I needed to go to say I’d written a first draft of something. It’s also easier to sit down because it has become a habit or a routine to work on it throughout the week.

      Harder: I still struggle with writing transitions between the scenes I planned out for my outline even though I’ve been writing for over a year. I didn’t realize how challenging it is to write a story that flows together until I had to do it myself.

      ​

      As you near the end of your draft, has your outlook on the writing process changed at all? Is it easier to find the energy or motivation to write?

      I have more respect for the people who write or work with writers. I always knew writing a book took time, but I didn’t realize how long the process actually takes until I attempted to do it myself. It is easier to find the motivation to write now. As I gray out the scenes I’ve already written in my outline, I can see the end of my story. I find it motivational to see that I’ve grayed out almost all the boxes.

      ​

      If someone is about to start drafting their novel, or is in the drafting process and is struggling, what advice would you give them?

      Don’t compare yourselves to other writers. Everyone has a different writing process and writing speed. If you write more slowly than the people you see online, or you don’t have as much time to write, that’s okay. Take it one scene or page at a time, your story will come out in its own time, and people will be excited to read it whenever it’s ready. If you’re stuck during a scene, take a break and do something else for a bit. I’ve found that when I’m stuck on something, I’ll go on a walk or do something around my house. Most of the time while I’m doing something else, I’ll think of an idea of what I can include to help me get unstuck.

      ​

      Once your draft is finished, what do you think your next steps for your novel will be?

      I’m going to finish making the corrections you recommended as my book coach. Once I’m done with that, I’m going to find an editor to work with to polish up my story.

      ​

      I’m so thankful that I’ve been able to support Karla through her drafting process with submission deadlines and feedback on her pages.

      If you’re writing a first draft, and especially if you’ve been frustrated with how long the process is taking, I hope that hearing Karla’s experience provides some reassurance that you will get to type The End. Just keep taking small, steady steps toward your goal. It may not be flashy, but as you can see, it works.

    • Is It Worth Writing in the Age of AI?

      Is It Worth Writing in the Age of AI?

      Years ago I spent a lot of time on my art-making hobby. I made 2D and 3D mixed media art in a spare bedroom that I referred to as my Studio. I never sold anything, but I did have pieces in a couple community shows.

      Let me tell you, there are a lot of supplies you can buy as an artist. Some of them are actual supplies, like paint, adhesives, cold press paper, and brayers. They are tools the artist uses to create their art.

      There are also “supplies.” Things like stencils, rubber stamps, and kits of all kinds. These always seemed to me like shortcuts to make art that would look like someone else’s art.

      I was sort of a purist. If I wanted to use a stencil, I would make the stencil. If I wanted to use fabric, I would typically alter it in some way. If I wanted to use a stamp, I would carve it, albeit badly.

      I wanted to make the elements mine, which in turn made the art I produced more mine. (I didn’t go as far as making my own paper, but there were days I considered it.)

      There’s been a lot of news about AI and writing since, well, ever since AI showed up on the scene.

      I’ve tried not to get too wound up about AI, one way or the other. I tend to lean more toward Luddite than early tech adopter, taking a measured approach and considering if the next big thing is really something to get excited about.

      But eventually I started to form an opinion about AI, and I can see that it connects directly back to my experience creating art:

      If I say I am a creator, then I should be the one creating.

      When I think about being a creator, I equate it with terms like craftsman, artisan, and maker. Someone who has spent time to master their craft. Someone who has applied themselves and developed a skill.

      That’s who I want to be, as a writer and a visual artist.

      I don’t care that using AI could allow me to do things faster or using less energy. (I’m talking about my own energy here, certainly not the energy used by AI.)

      When I write a book I want to know that I have worked hard to take an idea, cultivate it, shape it, and hone it into a unique, quality novel that has my fingerprints all over it.

      So when the questions fly regarding AI and writing, like…

      • Should writers use AI in their process?
      • Is it okay to use it for brainstorming?
      • What about for grammar and spell checking?
      • Could AI be used in place of a real live editor (or book coach)?

      …I’m not going to bother trying to answer them for other writers.

      But I do have a stance on how I will be using AI in my writing:

      I won’t be using it. And I want to work with other writers who choose not to use it either.

      I was in a meeting with Author Accelerator CEO Jennie Nash last month and she said (I’m paraphrasing) she believes the fundamental motivation to write a book, for most writers, is that you want to create something, not copy something.​

      I’m excited to engage with writers who want to create something and who are ready and willing to lean into the messy work of creating. Are you with me?