Okay, deep breaths everyone. I’ve officially finished a full run-through of my book! 🎉 Yes, you read that right. Finished. It feels surreal, exhilarating, and utterly terrifying all at once.

Now that the first draft is complete, I’m diving back in for the first edit, adding some fun little easter eggs now that I have a clearer picture of where book two is headed. It’s amazing how knowing the future of the story can influence the present!

But here’s the scary part: this feels like the almost done stage. The point of no return. I made a pact with myself that when I finished the first draft, I’d send it out to publishers. And now… the self-doubt is creeping in. What if no one wants it?

Okay, plan B: self-publishing. But then… what if no one reads it?

Writing is terrifying! As an avid reader, I know I can be critical. I often find myself picking apart books (in my head, of course!). “Why did they do that?” “I didn’t like this.” And now, that inner critic has turned its gaze on my writing. What if I fail? What if my carefully crafted world falls flat? What if my characters don’t resonate?

I guess there’s only one way to find out, right? I won’t know unless I try. So, here I am, facing the fear, embracing the vulnerability, and diving headfirst into this edit. Wish me luck! And if you have any words of wisdom for a newbie author facing the “almost done” stage, please send them my way. I need all the encouragement I can get! ❤️