5 Reasons Why Writing A Novel Is Frustrating Yet Therapeutic

Writing a novel is not an easy task, and the process can exhaust you physically and emotionally. As someone who has self-published a novel, I can safely say that it challenges your ability as a writer and a woman.

Writing a novel is an endeavour that cannot be considered simple in anyway. Be prepared for the several roadblocks ahead. For those who have been thinking about writing, here are some factors you must consider in your equation before you start writing.

The experience of writing a book is subjective. I’m just sharing my experience with you. This doesn’t necessarily mean everyone will go through the same experience. For those who have been thinking about writing a book , here are some factors you must consider in your equation before you start writing.

It’s a long process

Even if you’re writing a 100 page novel, it is going to take a while. The first draft of my novel was completed in 2014. Today, the syntax and diction are nothing like what it was back then. It doesn’t matter how fast you can type. You will always make grammatical errors, several factual errors and even change the plotline. Hence, you better get used to rewriting your story.

You will hate your book by the end of the 100th revision

You believe that your book should be perfect. Hence, you will proofread it several times before publishing it. Unless you have a proofreader and editor, be prepared to re-read your book. You will want to have nothing to do with your book. By the end of the 100th round of editing, you will hate your book, as much you hate your ex-boyfriend. Don’t be surprised if you feel this way, it’s only natural. You might even decide to quit writing.  It’s okay to take a break and start writing again after a bit.

You will be on edge

You will put in hours of work into your book every single day, if you’re a disciplined writer. You are using your physical and mental abilities to finish it. As a result, you will be fatigued, irritable, and upset. You have to control your emotions, and not let it affect your writing. You shouldn’t change your plotline, or be overly critical of your own writing, based on your mood.

Writing challenges your linguistic skills

As you’re constantly writing and editing your book, you will refer the dictionary, grammar books and consequently, master the language. Even if you are confident of your linguistic skills, you will end up improving your vocabulary, syntax and diction.

You might decide to stop writing for good

At the end of it all, you might decide that you never want to write a book orin fact, anything, ever again. Again, this is just a temporary aversion. You’re just sick of doing the same thing.

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In conclusion, I would like to say, to write a book, you need to put in your blood, sweat and tears. The end result will earn you the title of ‘published author’. That is more rewarding than the royalty that you earn from selling your book. (p.s. My novel, Chasing Rainbows is now available on Kindle.)

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