Wrapping up the novel writing series — and what’s next

Almost a year ago, I started this series to walk writers through the steps of the novel writing process. It’s been an incredible journey, and I hope you’ve found real value in the posts—whether you’re just starting your first draft or have been wrestling with a novel for years. Writing a book is no small feat, and I’m so glad to have been part of your journey in some way.

To make it easier for you to revisit any step or catch up on what you missed, I’ve created a dedicated page on the website that links to each section of the series. You’ll also find information there about my upcoming book, Write the Damn Novel, Already: A step-by-step guide for first-time novelists and repeat quitters. The book collects everything from this series into one easy-to-use guide with extra tips and tools designed to help you finally finish writing your novel.

Where to go from here?

• Read a lot — just not while you’re drafting. Filling your mind with stories helps build your skills, but when it’s time to write, focus on your own work.
• Don’t try to force a story that’s not ready to be told. Sometimes a novel needs to simmer before it’s ready to come alive. Be patient with yourself and your ideas.
• Give yourself a break. Writing a novel is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t be too hard on yourself if progress feels slow—it’s part of the process.

Now that this series is complete, I’m excited to shift the blog’s focus a bit. I’ll be sharing more about books I enjoy reading—think reviews and recommendations—as well as the occasional opinion piece on current events and other topics I’m passionate about.

I’d love to hear from you: what would you like to see more of on the blog going forward? Drop your ideas in the comments or reach out anytime. Thank you so much for your support throughout this series. Here’s to many more writing adventures ahead!

Want to learn more about the steps of the novel writing process? Start at the beginning of this series HERE.

Now available in print and on Kindle!

Now that Jack has been forced to reflect on everything he has to lose, he resolves to do better. He’s determined to spend more time at home with his family and repair the relationships that have suffered over the years while he’s been so focused on work. But as Callie’s behavior becomes increasingly bizarre, Jack realizes he has a lot more room to improve than he realized – and it might be too late to save his daughter after all.

For fans of We Need to Talk About Kevin, The Push, and Baby Teeth.