Advice I'd Go Back and Give Myself as a New Author

My journey as a writer has been going on for many years now and while I know I still have many lessons to learn, my biggest one recently being navigating the world of traditional publishing - I sometimes think back to those first moments when I decided to throw my hat in the wind and embrace being a writer. 

I'm thankful for all the advice I was given back then and the advice I am still receiving today, but there are many things I wish I could go back and tell myself as a new writer that I would like to share with you now in the hopes that it helps you on your own writing journey. 

Not Everyone Is Going to Support Your Dream - And That's OK

When you first decide to start writing, you may believe, like I foolishly did, that you would be surrounded by the support of your friends and family without question - if you do then I am truly envious of you, but if you are in a situation like me your mother will constantly ask you when it is that you are going to get a nice career job and settle down and start popping out babies. 

Unfortunately, not everyone is going to understand your passion or believe in your dream of writing, you may even get the odd comment here or there trying to discourage you from pursuing it as a real career instead of just a side hobby.

While these people may (or may not) mean well it's important to know that no one can decide whether or not you follow your dreams. Don't let their discouragement stop you from doing what it is you want to do with your stories and your life. 

Don't Wait for the Right Moment - Just Sit Down And Write

There is no perfect money to start writing, no magical day where the stars will align and tell you that today is the day to sit down and start typing out your story. 

The more you wait, the further from your mind that idea becomes, and if you haven't written anything down, you may forget it altogether. 

The time to start writing that novel you've been thinking about - is now.

Rewriting Is Where Your Story Will Really Become A Novel

I used to foolishly think that once you write your novel you are done and ready to move on the the next stage. 

Little did I know that the first time I would go back to read a first draft I would question whether I knew how to write at all with all the nonsense I managed to embed in ink onto the pages. 

The real magic of writing and bringing a story together happens in the editing and the rewriting where you are able to take all the ideas that were thrown onto the page and rearrange them into a piece of art. 

It's Okay to Celebrate Small Wins - As Well as Mourn The Losses 

A writer's journey is seldom a trip with only moments of triumph. There will be setbacks and bad days and bad feedback that will make you question why you subject yourself to it in the first place.

I submitted my recent manuscript to several agents I had admired and hoped to work with, only to get rejected by each one, but in those rejections was feedback to improve my story and to try again. 

I celebrate milestones in my writing and my partner is more than happy to buy me a candy bar or my candy of choice when I tell him it's a day for small celebrations, he's also there to hold me and let me cry or vent when I have those days where I want to delete the manuscript and curl into a ball. 

Hold onto the good days, they help you get through the bad ones. 

You Can Abandon Stories - As Long as You Keep Them Somewhere Safe

Not every story you start is meant to be told, but that doesn't mean you have to delete them. 

Move them to a file or print them out and place them in a box beneath your bed. 

It could be that you just aren't ready to tell it yet, but it's also okay if you never are. Some writers use their stories to deal with things that have happened in our lives, but we write first and foremost for ourselves so if we've reached a point where we no longer can continue with a story it's okay to consider it complete from beneath the shadow of the under the bed. 

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Every day I learn new lessons not only when it comes to being a writer but also in navigating the world and life lessons are not singular. What I learn about writing can be applied to other aspects of my life, so even if you are not a writer I hope you'll be able to find the lessons in my advice. 

If you are a writer well - 

It's time for you to go write - yes, now. 

With love, 

B.K. xo xo

Want to write with me live? I'm now on Twitch! Come join me in some writing sprints every Wed-Thurs-Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm EST

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