I read these kinds of posts ALL the time because I feel like I don't have enough knowledge or experience to be an expert. But recently (like within the last 5 years or so) I was realizing all of the articles said the same stuff and it's all stuff I knew. So I wanted to compile a list of the things I wish I could tell younger Me about writing.

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before

1. The Pen Really is Better

When I first started writing I insisted on using pencils so I could erase my mistakes. Then, I saw a friend who had the same mindset as me and his notebook was completely smudged. I mean full pages just gray with graphite and no legible words. It freaked me out and I convinced my parents to let me use the computer every day (after homework of course) to type up what I had written for my book that day. I wish I could go back to 12 year old me and sit her down with some honesty. The whole point of the pencil was to be able to change things. Then with the computer I could use the backspace and delete buttons to my heart's content. I wish I could go back and tell little me to change to pens. Eventually I learned to ignore the backspace button but it took a long time. I know I wouldn't be so perfectionist on my work if I had learned that lesson earlier. Your first draft is for the mistakes. It's supposed to be messy and incorrect. It's SUPPOSED to be word vomit!

2. “ASPIRING” Isn’t An Option

I see this phrase EVERYWHERE on author social media. “Hi, I’m Jane Doe and I’m an Aspiring Author”. No. You’re freaking THE Jane Doe, author. Period. The only aspiring authors are the ones who haven’t put anything on paper (or computer) yet. If you keep this mindset of "I'm aspiring because I'm not published" you're in for a lot of heartbreak and imposter syndrome. Do you know how many people on this PLANET want to write a book? I don't either, but based on the people who have told me that I'm sure it's a large majority. If you are putting words to paper (or computer!) with the intention of it being some sort of book, you are an author. I dare you to look up the definition of AUTHOR and point to where it says PUBLISHED.

*Caveat to that: if you're looking to be an author full time, the likelihood of that goal can be aspired to. But you are NOT an aspiring author. You are an author with a goal to one day be a full time creator.

3. Social Media is NECESSARY

Publishing your book goes WAY beyond signing on the dotted line. You need to market and the most viable way to market is through social media. I wish I had started learning earlier what that meant so I could learn. I feel so behind now. Social media is difficult for me. I don't know what to say, or how to say it. I'm a natural introvert (as I'm sure a lot of writers are) so interacting with strangers online is sometimes more torturous than mutilation. It's really really hard for me. I've been trying to learn (and enlisting social media managers who can teach me). I do not subscribe to the idea, however, of buying expensive courses from "social media influencers". Not even the ones directed at authors. (And don't even get me started on the unpublished authors who have courses on how to get published. Puh-LEASE.) But I am trying to learn, because that's where the readers are now.

4. Even Realistic Fiction Needs Research

I used to think my fiction books didn’t require any research whatsoever because they were coming from a world in my head. I have never planned out what needed to be researched. But even in My World of Glass I researched Chicago, laws, government historical cycles, and so many other things. I'm constantly researching. I can't write without Google being pulled up next to me. I want to go back and slap little 17 year old me silly for being so arrogant. Research, even for the most magical fantasy, is so very important. If you don't know how to research, I suggest you learn.

5. Anything is Possible

You might get that contract with a Big 5 publisher, you might self publish. You might become a best seller, you might not. Every path is different and that’s OKAY. I know so many authors who have published with big shot publishers and are not known to the general public. I know lots of authors who have self published and have made it to being full time creators. Every path is going to be different and it's going to be whatever path you make it.

6. The Muse is Real

I never understood what the muses really are. Had I known, I wouldn’t have gone years without writers block not putting a single word down. For me, my muse is my readers. If I have a reader I'm spoon feeding to, I have motivation. If I have a passive reader, I lose steam. I can try to supplement with music or reading or movies, but that doesn't last long. It's like a shot of adrenaline. It's great while it lasts but when it fades off I'm in an energy slump for a bit. the most consistent method for me to write is to share my writing with a trusted reader who can tell me "That didn't make sense" or "Ohmygosh I love this character". Everyone needs to find their own muse. Lots of writers keep their works very private until they feel it's completed (which isn't for me because I NEVER feel like my work is completed) and that's okay too, as long as they know who their muse is.

7. You Can’t Please Everyone

This one is a hard pill to swallow. My muse (see above) is my readers. Had I known this earlier I wouldn’t have hidden my work away like I did, like I saw other people doing. But once I started sharing more consistently I needed to understand my books aren’t for everyone. And that’s okay because I can’t stand some popular books right now. "This is a very subjective field" as so many agents have told me over the last year.

8. It’s a Long Process

Breathe. I can whip out 50,000 words in a month and get a first draft on paper without breaking a sweat. But it’ll be years before that book is ready to be published and lots of hard work. (Please don’t go find my Rose Winters books — those were published as second drafts and I regret it so much) I thought my writing was top notch (because all my English teachers loved me, obviously) but it wasn't until I started getting real editors and professional readers looking through my books to realize that I actually leave a lot in my head that I forget to put on paper. And because it's in my head, I don't realize my readers are missing important details. Get the second opinion. And the third, the fourth, the fifth. And make them unbiased parties, I beg of you. Allow your sensitive skin to be jabbed at a bit. Do your story justice.

9. TROPES

I only started learning about tropes in the last 18 months. I wish I had started researching them sooner!! It would have helped the writing process so much. I didn't realize there were tropes which were expected in certain genres. And I didn't realize how many tropes were so despised. For those of you who don't know (like I didn't) tropes are basically cliches. That thing that's similar across books? They're usually short descriptors. Some of my personal favorites (to read) are the mentor and chosen one, the enemies to lovers, medieval settings, and the quest. These seem like obvious factors into things and usually they are, but some others can be more obscure like magic with a price, haunted landscapes (or local ghost stories), redeemed villains, or the retired heroes. Once you understand what a trope is, it's easier to work it into your story planning. I know for my next project I'm going to make a list of tropes I want to include and find ways to incorporate them. (Pro tip - it also makes marketing so much easier. And pitching to agents. And knowing how to publish your book. Just research tropes and find which ones fit your book.)

10. There's No One Size Fits All

Like I mentioned before this list, I used to read these lists all the time. I would spend hours researching author's processes and what they did to find success. Which is great, truly. It gives you an "insider's look" in this field. But realize that you can pick and choose. If something doesn't work for you in this list, I am not going to be offended if you pretend I never said it. Just like how not every book fits every reader, every writing trick will not work for every writer. Being a creator means there are some guidelines to keep you within a standard so people can enjoy your work while enjoying others', but some rules are made to be broken. Just make sure you know which rules are made to be broken, and which broken rules will discredit your work.

I know nobody asked for my opinion on this. But I wanted to share what I've learned over the last 15 years of serious writing. Because I have learned a lot, and I don't care to be silenced by louder voices. Take what I say with a grain of salt, but take it nonetheless. Let me know if any of these points leave you with burning questions. I'm happy to share my experience with you.