Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint, and that's okay!
Ever feel like everyone else is miles ahead of you in the race to get published?
I hear it all the time—writers feeling like they have to sprint to some imaginary finish line. They’re looking around, seeing other people “make it” by 20, 30, or 40, and thinking they’re somehow behind. Like if they haven’t hit certain milestones by a certain age, then it’s game over.
Well, here’s a little secret: there’s no set timeline for writing, publishing, or any of this.
That finish line you’re worried about? It doesn’t exist. It’s totally made up!
I have a client who’s 75 years old and finally writing the book she’s always dreamed of. Is she worried about what anyone else thinks? Nope. She’s doing her thing, blazing her own trail. Does she think she’s too old? Not a chance!
She told me, "If I don't do it now, I'll be dead and won't have the chance to do it at all."
If you’re feeling like you’re falling behind or watching everyone else speed past you, remember this: writing is a marathon, not a sprint.
Forget anyone else’s timeline. The only one that matters is yours.
Every page you write, every step you take, is forward progress. You’re creating something uniquely yours, something only you can bring to the world.
So, slow down, take a breath, and keep going—whether you’re 25, 45, or 75! Keep going!
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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