My 3 Biggest Lessons from Indie Publishing

I wrote a book. It still feels surreal to type. Holding it in my hands, I still expect to see someone else's name on the front. But as I stare at the cover and it doesn't change, I'm continually hit with the realization that I reached a lifelong goal. I WROTE A FREAKIN' BOOK!

And it was one of the hardest things I've ever done! The drafting, editing, proofreading, the formatting, working with designers, and marketing is an all-consuming process that can take its toll. But it also helped cement 3 timeless lessons that can apply to all areas of my life.

Discipline & Motivation Are Intertwined

My friends and I were having this exact conversation recently, and it's the lesson that I've learned time and time again through my two favorite hobbies: writing & running. Motivation is easy. Motivation is that fire you feel when you're winding down for the night, thinking about what you're going to accomplish. Motivation is the excitement that gives you a boost when you set a new goal. But motivation can be fleeting. Then, what's left?

Discipline. Without it, novels are drawered and half marathons are distant dreams. Discipline is the grit that pushes you through when all you want to do is take a break, or even quit. Tom Brady said, "To be successful at anything, the truth is you don't have to be special. You just have to be what most people aren't: consistent, determined and willing to work for it.”

Gosh, I can't believe I actually quoted Brady. But it's true. If you have one without the other, you can only go so far, but a combination of the two is unstoppable.

Confidence is a Learned Skill

Unless you're one of a very lucky few, then self-confidence has probably been a struggle for a long time. At least, that was true for me. Enter stage right: fake it 'til you make it.

What was THE first thing I did? As silly as it may sound, I took the word "aspiring" out of my bio and finally started calling myself an author.

Then, I went against every single fiber of my being and did what I never thought I would do - I started posting REELS. Terrifying for someone who spent the better part of 34 years caring what people think! But I knew I had to do something to get my book to readers, and that included playing the social media game. So, I got to work. And over time, with every post, it actually got more fun and less self-conscious to be my true silly self.

I began sharing small pieces of my writing, and even entered a writing contest (gasp!) to help grow my confidence. I definitely still fall victim to imposter system, but with practice over time, I've been able to silence those voices and focus on my dream.

I Actually Did Have Time

"I just don't have time." Who hasn't said it? As a stay-at-home-mom to a 3 year old little boy AND freelance writer on the side, it is definitely true for me...to an extent. But once the fire was lit underneath me to write my debut novel, I realized that I had more time than I was willing to admit.

When I broke down how I was spending my precious minutes, there was a lot of waste (looking at you, social media). My husband and I had also fallen into the post-toddler bedtime mindless TV trap. While a veg out is definitely needed sometimes, there was so much unused time just waiting to be carved out for writing.

So, carve I did until 84,000 words later, A Mother's Premonition was published.

The late nights editing, the early mornings rewriting, and the sneak-away minutes in the middle of the day taught me that when I combined passion with drive, if I couldn't find the time, I was going to make it. In other words, I learned how to stop making excuses for myself.

All Downhill from Here

I truly believe writing is something I was born to do, and I'm excited to implement these lessons (and the thousands of others) while I work on my second novel tentatively titled Unchecked Baggage. And if you read them, I'm honored and hope you enjoy!