Categories: Authorprenuership

How I write my novels a 10 step beginners guide: Step 10 Celebrate your accomplishments

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 4th 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

Donovan

Donovan M. Neal is the Amazon best-selling independently published author of the Third Heaven Series: a speculative Christian fantasy four book series that explores the captivating story about the fall of Lucifer. The book takes readers on an epic journey through the celestial realms, offering a unique perspective on the events surrounding Lucifer’s rebellion and his descent into darkness. In this imaginative tale, Donovan weaves together elements of Christian theology, angelic mythology, and fantastical world-building. The story delves into the cosmic conflict between good and evil, painting a vivid picture of the spiritual warfare that unfolded in the heavens. Donovan has published eleven books and is currently working on publishing five more in the year 2023 alone. His books have reached thirteen countries including India, Japan, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil and across Europe, Canada and the US. He has sold over thirty thousand units of his books and generated over a quarter million in gross sales part time and without an agent. Donovan has produced fiction; non-fiction and most recently published a graphic novel. His genre of preference is fantasy and he has been named among such notable authors as Frank Perretti, Brian Godawa, and the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. When he’s not writing or working, Donovan can be found gaming or enjoying various forms of media. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and a graduate degree in Non-profit Management from Walden University. Prior to his current career, Donovan served in ordained ministry from 1993-2011 and has extensive experience teaching the Bible. You can learn more about him professionally if you would like by clicking here. His favorite movie is the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He also enjoys gaming and can be found on the Playstation5 deep in Destiny 2, He’s owned most gaming systems all the way back from Atari and Pong! and has made several friends from his beloved days on World of Warcraft. A lover of such classics as chess and backgammon he loves most games and the strategy behind them. When he is not imagining comic conflicts between good and evil he is helping to secure employment for housing insecure women as the Executive Director of a non-profit in the city of Detroit and also serves in the prayer and discipleship ministry of his local church.

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