Debut Diaries #001: I Will Succeed Because I am Insane

Come along as I write, edit, query, and (hopefully!) sell, publish, and market my debut novel.

Hello and welcome to a new series that spikes my blood pressure every time I think about it! (Joking, sort of).

Some of you may remember back in November when I shared that I was working on writing a novel. Well friends, guess how many words I’ve written since then? If you guessed a big fat ZERO, you’d be correct!

In my defense, life took a few hard left turns in November and December with family and health related stuff. My mind was a bit preoccupied.

But all that being said – I really want to finish this novel (and, you know, ideally get a book deal and get it published too). And so I thought, why not make this a semi-regular Substack series where I can share updates of where I’m at in the writing, editing, and querying process, as well as things that are helping me as I work to develop a reliable and consistent writing practice?

I want this to be part backstage pass, part knowledge-sharing endeavor, and part accountability because I know that the best way to get my ADHD squirrel-brain to focus on something is to hold the concept of public failure and shame over my head (is that healthy? no. is it effective? absolutely).

This is a big deal for me, as a recovering perfectionist who was allergic to ever putting anything out into the world unless it was 100% polished and externally validated. But I’ve been seeing more and more calls to “build in public” this year, and it’s really resonating with me. I’m considering this exposure therapy for my perfectionist tendencies.

Most of these posts will probably be paywalled, because there’s a limit to my willingness to potentially make a fool of myself in public. But alas.

I titled this post “I will succeed because I’m insane” because I read a post not too long ago that cautioned writers against calling something their “debut” novel because it may not, in fact, get published. At first I took that to heart, but then I started to think – maybe it’s a form of mindset or manifestation to instead just aggressively believe in yourself up until the moment it doesn’t happen. A recipe for heartbreak? Almost certainly. But I won’t know until I’ve tried. Plus, “debut diaries” has good alliteration.

For this first edition, you can expect more info about the book, the things I’m currently detangling when it comes to plot and logistics, and insights into how I’m creating a writing routine while also working 9-5 and running this Substack (and sleeping). Allons-y!

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Word Count: 4,573

Current Mood: Cautiously optimistic

Soundtrack: The District Sleeps Alone Tonight, The Postal Service

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Below the paywall:

• The plot and details of my novel-in-progress.

• What I’m currently struggling with.

• How I make time for writing alongside a 9-5 job and running this Substack (and sleeping occasionally).