Where I'm at in my journey:

PLOT FACTORY

This is where the magic begins—outlining my story, mapping out characters, and figuring out the major beats. Some writers plot every scene in detail, others stick to broad strokes. For me, it started with a "what if" moment in Tofino that spiraled into an entire trilogy outline. Whether you're a meticulous planner or a chaotic pantser, this stage is about building the skeleton of your story.

MESSY FIRST

This is where I actually write the thing. My first draft doesn't have to be perfect—it just has to exist. Mine is 122,300 words of pure word vomit. But here's the truth: you can't edit a blank page. The goal is to get your story down, flaws and all. Pop the champagne when you type "The End" because finishing a first draft is a win worth celebrating.

SURGERY TIME

Welcome to the stage where I realize my first draft needs major work. This is about big-picture changes—pacing, plot holes, character development, story structure. For me, this meant killing 50% of my story, moving the inciting incident earlier, and fixing my too-perfect protagonist. It's brutal, but it's where the story transforms into what it was always meant to be.

⚝ GLOW UP ⚝

Time to bring in the professionals. Editing comes in layers: developmental (big-picture story structure), line editing (sentence-level flow), and copy editing (grammar and consistency). This is where I'll work with an editor to polish my manuscript until it shines. Expect multiple rounds, lots of feedback, and the humbling realization that there's always more to improve. I'm currently in the hiring process.

DRESS TO IMPRESS

This is where my book starts to look like a book. Cover design is crucial—it's the first thing readers see. I'll also tackle interior formatting, fonts, and chapter headers. Whether you hire a designer or DIY it, this stage is about creating something that represents your story visually and grabs attention in a crowded market.

T-MINUS LAUNCH

The countdown to getting your book into readers' hands. This involves pre-orders, release day strategy, building buzz on social media, reaching out to bloggers and reviewers, maybe doing giveaways. It's exciting and terrifying all at once. This is where all your hard work goes public.

NOVEL BIRTHDAY

You did it. Your book is out there. Published. Real. Available for people to read and (hopefully) love. This is the finish line—and the starting line for what comes next. Now you're navigating reader feedback, sales, marketing, and working on the next book. It's a wild, wonderful journey. And you made it happen.