3 months ago, I finished the first draft of my first book (yay!!). I wanted to share some of my experience, knowing there are a lot of writers here. Maybe it could help some of you. I hope it will π«Ά
It took me 3 years and 2 months to reach this point. From the world building and research to the writing part, it has been painful, frustrating, exhilarating, humbling, enriching and another tone of adjectives that i cannot list here (even if we love them, as writers)
I have some pieces of advice that stick to me after this agonizing experience. They are completely personal but if they resonate with someone here, I'm happy to share them :
Write : I know how it sounds. But there is no best advice for me. "You want to write a book ? Write it" yeah, absolutely. Write the 3 sentences that come to your mind in the middle of the day. Write the silly ideas that "nobody is going to like". Write 10 words a day. Write even if it doesn't make sense. One day, it will. So write. Sometimes it can be painful and I think it's okay. Most of the time, it's wonderful and liberating.
Your writing doesn't define your value : If you think it's not the best time to write then don't. I know, I said to write RIGHT ABOVE. But : listen to yourself, your feelings are valid and you're not defined by the number of words you wrote everyday. Sometimes, it's not the best time in life to write a book. A book is a massive project that requires time, investment, energy. You can always come back to your project when you have the right mindset
Listen to your heart : write and write what you like. Never forget that you write for yourself. Even if you want to publish. Write what is dear to your heart, be authentic. I'm convinced you'll find your audience
The first draft is bad : and it's FUCKING OKAY. The first draft is just here to exist. This is its ONLY job. If it's already good, great. If it's bad, that's normal. You're still learning about everything in your story. Especially in the case of a first novel !!!!
Talk about your story : I know how it can be difficult because it makes you vulnerable. I don't say to share every part of your story. Sometimes, talking about critical points offers you POV that you didn't have yourself. If you don't have anybody in your entourage, I think you can ask here
Take a step back : go outside (alone or with friends), play video games, read a book, take a nap, learn new skills. Leave your writing in peace. It needs to rest. And so do you
Stop following every advice: if you need advice, read them, then make them yours, but don't turn them into a holy rule. Your writing is yours. Writing is a creative hobby. It's too sad to kill this creativity with too many rules
Keep writing and take care π©·
