So I’m almost done writing the first draft of my fantasy novel, hopefully my debut novel. I have two and a half more chapters to write and I’m done. Sounds easy, right?
Wrong. Working full time with inconsistent hours can be draining. Plus the heat of the Central Valley is even more exhausting. More, I have books to finish reading, family to see, friends to spend time with, and my beautiful dog to give all my time to.
I think I am just stalling, putting off the writing. I want to finish the draft so I can review, edit and get closer to publishing, but the fact that I can finish this draft soon is also scary. I am writing a story that has been brewing in my mind for years to share with the public.
To create and release my own stories into the world is my dream. But the thought of people finally holding my characters in their hands is terrifying, nerve-wracking. I want readers to fall in love with this story, to obsess over the characters like I do with Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses. To have my debut novel become a widely known favorite would be incredible.
But for now, I will push myself to finish the first draft. However stressed, terrified, or anxious I feel in this moment, I will complete this first draft. It should be (hopefully) easy sailing from there.
After the first draft, I am going to take a small break from my novel, maybe a week or two. I plan to read my first draft while annotating it to prepare for revisions for the second draft. My goal is to have the novel ready by the end of the year, but knowing my usually procrastinating self, the book will probably be done a little later.
I’ll most likely forget to write on this blog to update on my novel, but I will try. I hope anyone who reads this blog is doing well!