The myth of the straight line
Somewhere along the way, we absorbed the idea that writing a book should be this smooth, linear process. You get an idea, you outline it, you write it, you publish it, and success follows. Easy, right?
Except it’s not. And it never has been.
If you’ve ever started a book and found yourself stuck halfway, or maybe you’ve been sitting on an idea for years but never got past the first paragraph, you’re not alone. The writer’s journey isn’t a straight line. It’s a winding road full of potholes, detours, high points, and dead ends.
It’s messy. It’s emotional.
And it’s exactly how it should be.
Like marriage, like career, like writing
Writing a book is more like a long-term relationship or a career path than a weekend project. There will be:
- Moments of joy (when the words flow)
- Periods of silence (when they don’t)
- Times you’ll doubt yourself
- Times you’ll want to walk away
But just like anything worth doing, the breakthrough comes when you push through.
The real reason we struggle: the illusion of the finished product
Many aspiring authors fall in love with the idea of being published. The glossy book cover. The byline. The imagined book signings.
But fewer fall in love with the process: drafting, revising, rewriting, and revising again. It’s why so many stop before they ever really start.
Here’s the truth: the process is the path to the product. You can’t shortcut it, and you shouldn’t try to either.
Writing isn’t romantic – it’s practical
I think part of the problem is that people view writing as this mystical, romantic thing. And while there is magic in the act of writing, success comes from structure, clarity, and consistency.
You wouldn’t launch a business without investing time, money, and learning into it. So why expect to write and publish a book without doing the same?
“Will you guarantee my book will be a bestseller?”
People sometimes ask me this. And I always say: No. I can’t guarantee that.
And here’s why:
- First, I’m not a lunatic
- Second, it’s your book. I can help you craft it, shape it, and position it, but it’s still your responsibility to finish it
- Third, anyone can game Amazon’s bestseller system. Being #1 for one hour in an obscure category doesn’t mean long-term success
- Last, the moment you outsource responsibility, you stop trying. And that’s when the journey ends.
Stop being scared. Start showing up.
This one’s hard to say, but I need to say it: if you want to be a published author, you have to stop being afraid of showing up (especially if you’re self-published). That means:
- Investing in tools and training
- Trying organic and paid marketing
- Making peace with “failing” forward
You don’t want to do Facebook ads?
Fine. But don’t also refuse to do organic content.
You don’t want to be on video?
Okay. But then don’t also reject email marketing.
You can’t be invisible and expect people to find your book.
My own experimentation: slideshows didn’t work for me.
Everyone says: Do TikTok slideshows!
But I write contemporary women’s fiction and my audience doesn’t care for that. Trust me, I tried those stupid slideshows for 3 months and they were definitely not worth the time or the outcome FOR ME.
Romance authors? Their sales thrive on slideshows and that’s okay.
The reason I mention this is because I had to try different things to find the type of book marketing that worked for me. So, I’m doubling down on doubling down on Facebook ads, starting with a budget of £10/d. I’m still experimenting, but at least I’m in the game.
That’s what matters.
Your writing journey will look different
There is no single formula. There’s only your journey.
You’ll hit walls. You’ll shift strategies. You’ll grow. But the one thing you can’t do is stay stuck waiting for the stars to align.
Invest in the journey (not just the destination)
If you’re ready to get serious about writing — and not just dream about being a published author — then it’s time to invest.
Here’s what I recommend:
✅ Use the Write Again Rescue Kit. It gives you 80+ battle-tested writing prompts, chapter starters, and transition phrases that professional authors use to break through creative paralysis and get back to writing, FAST
✅ While you’re there, make sure you check out and add the Author’s Complete & Conquer Toolkit Bundle to your cart. It’s your complete system for going from “someday” to “finished manuscript.”
These tools will keep you moving. Try them, follow through. Don’t let them accumulate digital dust. Do this and I think you’ll be surprised just how far your consistency will take you.
Final word
This journey isn’t a straight line, and that’s okay. What matters isn’t how fast you get there, but that you keep going.
Your story matters. Just don’t quit before it’s written.