Lessons I Learned Along the Way

The fact I started writing a full-length novel as full-time student might seem a little scary, and you’d be right – I did have to combat some fears.

What if it’s not good? What if my characters are lame? What if I can’t keep up the rigorous writing schedule? And my biggest one: What if I can’t finish? Here are some tips that helped me go from blank page to completed manuscript.

Surround Yourself With Like-Minded Individuals

Maybe you don’t have a professional mentor or community. That’s OK. I started on YouTube. No kidding.

I didn’t have a writing community. A good majority of my friends were pursuing teaching degrees or business majors and could only try to relate to the creative side of my life.

Instead of ducking out I searched YouTube and watched hundreds of interviews of different creatives on their craft. Even if you have to start small, start learning from others. You’ll be thankful later!

Lesson I Learned:

You don’t have to have a physical community to be inspired by others. Use what you have in the season you’re in.

Don’t Get Discouraged By Feedback

Throughout the writing/editing process I asked different people to read portions of my book. One reader became so invested in the story she said if something bad happened to a certain character she was going to give up on the book. Needless to say I freaked out.

I spent the majority of my night wondering what in the world to do. What I had written was going to devastate my reader, but it worked best for the story. Thankfully my writing mentor told me to stick with my original intensions. Encouraged, I stayed true to the story. Trust your gut. You’re the writer, after all!

Lesson I Learned:
Stay true to what you set out to do and work hard to complete it, even when you occasionally get feedback you weren’t expecting.  

Work For, Don’t Worry For, the Future

I started out afraid I wouldn’t finish my book on time, then I wrote that last sentence at 4:48pm on a sunny Thursday and defeated that fear with accomplishment. But then I started worrying the book wouldn’t get picked up by a publishing company.

Instead of worrying about a book deal, I started writing a book proposal and reading up on what a good one looks like. I started networking. I met with the VP of Marketing at a big publishing house and asked his advice. I hardcore edited my entire book – 4 times!

Lesson I Learned: 

Show yourself some integrity and finish what you’ve started, no matter how scared you are to keep the promise you originally made.

The future will always come, but you get to decide how you meet it: ill-equipped and embarrassed, or prepared and ready for success. Whatever your goal is, keep working toward it. You never know what one day will bring. All those days piled up are what make the mountain of success at the end!

Sarah Rexford is a Marketing Content Writer, working with brands to grow their audience reach. She studied Strategic Communications at Cornerstone University and focused on writing during her time there, completing two full-length manuscripts while a full-time student. Currently she trains under best-selling author Jerry Jenkins in his Your Novel Blueprint course, is planning a speaking tour, and actively seeking publication for two books.