In a startlingly depressing statistic I read recently, only 3% of people actually finish writing their novel… which means 97% of people have the best intentions and end up quitting somewhere along the way. Here’s my advice on how to be the 3%.

Embrace that girl will be out this summer. I did it. I can officially say I am part of the 3% who (unapologetically) cried on my keyboard when I got to type the final words of my book. I will take a moment to give myself a congratulatory cheers (just imagine me sipping, or chugging, my wine as you read this… I’ll wait). Writing and publishing a book is a milestone truly worth celebrating. But why don’t people make it to that finish line?

I’m in a unique position to give advice here, not only because I will be a published author this year, but because this isn’t the first book I’ve written.

You read that right. Though Embrace that girl will be my first published book, 10 years ago when I was a recent college grad, I had a book in me I nearly completed… and then I quit. I was part of the 97% statistic of people who have amazing ideas (I made it nearly to the finish line) and then let fear derail me.

In fact, to be perfectly clear, this is what the creative process is like:

So, I offer this advice to you, dear writer, with all the love in my heart because your book deserves to be written.

Make it fun

Don’t write to be an author. I don’t want you to deny your dreams, but write because it’s fun, because you want to, because you have an idea, a character, a subject you believe in. That is what brings value and will keep you motivated and make people interested in your work. When you have an idea that you enter into a contract with (meaning, you have an idea for a book and you’ve declared you will see it through), it’s just like when you start dating someone. All the same butterflies are present. You think your idea is the best idea there is. You can’t wait to be together, just you and your idea.

This is good. The universe does this to hook you because that magic is what keeps you going. You will get to hold onto those loving feelings when it gets hard. And it will. It will get really hard. The more you can keep it light and fun, the better chance you have of sticking with it. Don’t take it so seriously as to make you avoid it when the resistance comes in, but take it seriously enough to keep showing up… that’s the sweet spot.

Don’t quit, don’t quit… DO NOT QUIT

Half the game in writing (or anything else you do) is sticking around. That’s it. Seriously. Talent is important, sure, but even with minimal natural talents, sticking around is the differentiator. Why? Because if you consistently show up it means you’re practicing and you’ll get better. And people pay attention, they catch on eventually. Life weeds out all the people who want the goal for superficial reasons.

Know Your Why

Wanting something because of how it looks or so you can feel accomplished, whether that’s a book or anything else, is not good enough to keep you motivated when you’re in the “fuck off” part of creating (read: most of the process). I mean this, find your reason.

I knew from childhood I wanted to write. And even that was not enough to keep me from writing and abandoning my first book. Embrace that girl is special to me. I wrote this book because it’s what I wanted to have when I was lost in my twenties questioning if I’d ever be sure of myself and land on my feet. I wrote this book so I wouldn’t feel alone. I showed up every day for myself, even on the days I didn’t think I had it in me. And that big why is what kept my butt on the chair typing. Trust me, find your why and make sure it’s not superficial.

 

I hope this helps you on your journey. If you have any questions on Embrace that girl or the writing process, feel free to drop a comment below!

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