What I Wish I’d Known About Writing (the short version)
I wish I’d known how dang hard it is.
I wish I’d known how much fun I’d have.
I wish I’d known how it is absolutely what I was meant to do.
I wish I’d known what agents and editors meant when they say not to take rejection personally.
I wish I’d known how to concentrate on the things I have control over (writing a good book) and how to let go of all the rest (sales numbers, social media followers, reader reviews…).
I wish I’d known not to try and hide my writing weaknesses. I might have worked on them harder, sooner.
I wish I’d known that it’s okay to not know what I’m doing all the time.
I wish I’d known how many wonderful readers I would meet (both online and in person).
I wish I’d known what wonderful writer friends I would make.
I wish I’d known how much the things I don’t like about myself don’t really matter.
I wish I’d known that I didn’t have to apologize for the kind of writer that I am.
I wish I’d known that I should write to my strengths.
I wish I’d known my books didn’t have to be like everyone else’s.
I wish I’d known I could trust my process.
I wish I’d known that the best way to improve was to learn how to hear myself.