Writing a novel can be a daunting task. I know because it’s taken me 7 years to complete my first one.  However, writing is easier for me now, than when I started. I realize that there are many of you who want to write that first novel, so let me lend my acquired experience to make your journey easier.

I have 10 steps that I realized I have used to complete my book.  This is the last step I used when I wrote my book

Ok here is step ten: celebrate!

Yep.  Writing is a lonely business.  It is not a group activity.  It is you and the paper or the screen staring back at you.  I know writers that will not even share their work with a person until well after they are finished.  I couldn’t do this.  I had after some scenes and even some chapters read it.  I needed the feedback.  I needed to know if people could see what I saw in my head.  Was I able to translate the pictures and voices of fictional worlds and characters from my mind into the mind of my reader.  Heck I needed that encouragement.

But let’s face it.  When you write it is a struggle sometimes.  It is an uphill battle to add character development, plot twists, seal plot holes, endure writers block.  Then after you have gone through all that.  You look back after x period and by God you are done.  You look at your work after so many pages and you realize that you have created something.  Celebrate that.

I remember when I finished my novel.  It was July 4^th 2012.  I sat there looking at my computer screen.  I had reached the point where I could put the words the end on my work.  I knew I was done.  There was a part of me that was ecstatic, another part of me that was sad.  Me and this book had labored under much toil together and our journey and now taken a dramatic turn.  Oh yeah it needed polishing…at lot actually.  But it was done.

So when you get to your word count for the day. Celebrate.  When you complete that chapter.  Celebrate.  When you figure out that plot twist.  Celebrate.  And when you finish and get to the end…celebrate.

You did it.

Reward yourself at every opportunity when you achieve a bit of success.  Use whatever motivation you have to keep going.  Do not give up.  It is worth it.  I have learned so much.  But all my learning has shown how much more I have to go.

Take some time out to sit back, and celebrate.  Ya did good kid.

D