Why Your First Book Shouldn’t Be Your Best
Does the quest for perfection stop you in your tracks?
Many of us fall into the trap of believing our debut novel must be a masterpiece, setting impossibly high standards for ourselves. However, writing isn't about achieving perfection.
Progress, not perfection, should be your goal.
Chasing perfection is often the biggest roadblock to actually finishing.
Your first book marks the beginning of your journey as an aspiring author—a brave first step into the world of becoming a professional writer, rather than the peak of your creative career. Each book you write is an opportunity to develop your skills, refine your craft, and explore new ideas.
While it holds a special place as your initial foray into publishing, your first book is unlikely to be the best work you'll ever produce. And that's not just okay; it's expected.
Your objective isn't to write the best book of your career but the best book you can right now, with the knowledge and skills you currently possess.
Looking back, you may find your earlier works less polished than your later ones, but this doesn't mean you've failed. Instead, it's proof of your evolution as a writer, highlighting how far you've come.
And simply rewriting the same book won't make you a better writer.
Growth comes from the act of embracing the chaos of creation, learning from each attempt, and daring to try new things. You expand your horizons by stepping out of your comfort zone, not by staying within its guardrails.
Your debut may not be your magnum opus, but it is an essential step that embodies the courage to start, the persistence to finish, and the promise of future stories waiting to be told.
Embrace this journey, with all its imperfections, and look forward to the writer you're destined to become—one book at a time.
Action Step: Expand your horizons
Read a book outside the genre you're writing in. Reading widely can spark inspiration, offering fresh perspectives and techniques to incorporate into your own writing. Analyze what works (and what doesn’t) in these texts to understand different storytelling methods.
Keep going!
Jocelyn
Hello!
My name is Jocelyn.
Story warrior, book lover, day dreamer, gardener, and creative. I help serious writers roll up their sleeves, get their novel ready for publishing, and reach readers. When I’m not elbow-deep in the story trenches, I’m outside world-building in my garden and battling weeds with my three criminal mastermind cats.
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