The Journey to Becoming an Author: My Origin Story
This year might have been single-handedly the hardest, yet best, year of my life so far. Becoming a self-published author is no easy feat, and I am still far from the end of the tunnel. In fact, I’m just getting started.
A little background
I had always imagined myself as a big career woman, someone who would be featured on a thirty-under-thirty list somewhere. I was advancing tremendously in my career when I decided to step away. But, I had lost my creative spark. The love I had felt for writing had vanished within the fifty hours I spent every week creating content for other people.
That’s how, at the end of 2023, I found myself standing in front of two vastly different roads: one that was familiar and secure and one that was a risk but a lifelong dream. I chose the latter.
The decision
I had been considering taking a step back from my career for a little bit of time. It was not a rash decision in the slightest. But, when my husband approached me and said, “I’m worried you’re burning yourself into the ground in order to make other people happy,” it was like cold water had been splashed on my face. That realization spawned many (and I mean hundreds) of talks about how I could possibly quit my job and what would make me happy. I was working a nine-to-five (and beyond), being a mom to a beautiful toddler, and trying to pursue my creative writing in my free time. There simply were not enough hours in the day, so when it came to what I had to sacrifice, it was easy: my creative writing. But, by losing touch with that for so long, I had sacrificed my happiness as well.
So, with a very supportive partner, I decided to make a career change. I could still be a strong-willed, career-driven woman. But, perhaps instead of hustling for someone else, I’d hustle for myself instead.
Slow beginnings
I left my job at the end of 2023, and I had planned to go head-first into writing and publishing my first actual novel. I had ambitiously planned to have it written, edited, and published within the first five months. Boy, was I humbled quickly. Our household was quickly bombarded with more illnesses than I can ever remember. Our daughter started preschool part-time, and if you have children, you know the cesspool of germs that childcare centers are. She brought home nearly everything under the sun in those first few months. I spent more of my time taking care of a sick child, husband, or self than I did writing in those first few months.
It was undoubtedly discouraging and had me questioning all of my decisions. Nevertheless, I persisted.
Creating a community
I put my head down and kept plotting, writing, and editing. During this time, I delved deep into the online book community. I connected with other authors and made friends who have been in my shoes and this industry. Doing this really motivated me to keep pushing forward. Many gave insightful tips or offered me a kind word when I felt unmotivated. They gave me the push I needed to see things through.
Finishing my debut novel
At the end of 2024, I am publishing my debut novel, Surrender, nearly one year to the day when I made a decision that changed my life. I couldn’t have done it without a wonderful support system, and I feel so lucky and privileged to have had this opportunity. I don’t know what my future looks like and how being a full-time author will pan out, but what I do know is this: Never regret taking a chance on yourself.
