“I would like to say that when the prologue was written, I was 7 ½ years old. I’m 20—almost 21 now.”
Ouch. No hate to this reader—they aren’t wrong! I get comments like this on a day-to-day basis. “Why does it take you months to update?” “Shouldn’t you be done writing that book by now?” “My gosh, 10 years to write a book?” ….
It must be said, every writer’s creative journey is different. Yes, it’s taken me 10+ years to write my book, and in all that time, no one has ever said, “Wow, you’ve never given up.” I write slowly because I strive for perfection when I know I should be striving for progress. I don’t commit to deadlines or schedules (even though I know I should). I struggle with imposter syndrome. I struggle with writer’s block. I struggle.
I will publish Beloved Beast because I have poured my heart and soul into this book, and it is my dream. You ALL have given me the courage and the confidence to pursue my dream. But in doing so, I have made the conscious decision to continue to post chapters—despite my intention to publish—for my dedicated readers because I am grateful for each and every one of you who have stuck with me all this time.
It does not go unnoticed.
With all that being said, the purpose of my message is that every writer’s journey is different. You don’t know what plights a person confronts every day. What internal struggles they face, or what is happening in their personal life that keeps them from doing what they love most.
My only hope is that my very long writing journey will encourage others to pursue their dreams no matter the expectations of others. No matter the timeline. Just—no matter.