This May Not Work

Whenever we create something, we encounter a ubiquitous underlying fundamental fear.

This may not work.

If only I could guarantee I'd sell a thousand copies of my book.
If only I could guarantee readers would love my book.
If only I could plot a best-seller.
THEN, I'd start my project.

But the creative process doesn't work that way.

So we look for templates, breadcrumbs of success. We play it safe with our stories. We fall into the mindset of the starving artist and blame the market or the competition or our upbringing.

Even if we could overcome all those things and follow all the recommendations from Writers Digest, and even if we signed up for all the master classes with all the famous authors, there are still no guarantees that anyone will read your book.

So what's a struggling writer to do?

Since we cannot predict the future or guarantee a result, to dwell on those will make us crazy.

Focus on what you can control.
Write every day (good, bad, and ugly).
Write your story.
Trust the creative process to teach you more about yourself than anything else.
Strive to make your next novel better than the one you just finished (you know what needs work).

Do that.