Writing A Novel is Not for the Weak Minded

AI Generated Image: Staring at a blank page, surrounded by ideas but stuck in the grip of writer’s block.

I started this year out on a journey: to write a novel. I've written creatively before, I do have one short story on Amazon, (Recurring) but I set out to do something that I have always wanted to do, write a full length novel.

Let me tell you, it is not all fun and games. You have periods where you are crushing it, words our coming out in droves, you write 3, 4, maybe 5 chapters in a week. Then other times, nothing. The brain just doesn't want to work creatively. It's blank. My MS also doesn't lend any helping hands, either. There are some days when I just can't type, my left hand just can't find the keys, leaving me with either pecking away with one hand, or dictating, which in itself is frustrating. Not to mention those days when I just can't keep a thought together.

I've had several of those ebbs and flows throughout this journey. This week alone I've written over 50 pages, which is crazy to me, seeing I am still working a full time job, just doing this in my spare time. Before this? Definitely went a good two weeks without writing a word. That's how it goes. But, stick with it and soon you'll have something great.

It's a lot like reading. I went the first half of the year reading on average four books a month, I'm just about to finish my first book since June. (Yellowface, BTW. Highly recommend.)

It can be daunting and hard on your emotional state. Thankfully I've got plenty going on in my life to keep my mind off of my writer's blocks.

I'm very happy with how things are coming. I on a whim compiled my manuscript, just to see how far I've come, and it's at about 270 pages, with a good chunk to go. I think it's turning out great, and I hope that y'all enjoy it when it does come out.

First step: finish. Then, find an agent. I want to do it right this time.

I'll keep you posted on how things progress. This is a long process that takes a ton of patience and mental fortitude. My goal is to be finished writing it by the end of the year.

It's like Dory says: "Just keep swimming."