- Nobody cares about that sentence you’ve tweaked 100 times. Just write the damn thing and move on.
- Never pander to trolls or harsh critics. You will never win them over, and it gives your true fans the ick.
- No two books are the same. This isn’t a business we can systematise, so be okay with adapting your processes for each project.
- Editing sucks. It’s not nearly as exciting as getting the first draft down.
- Never trust people who say they never judge a book by its cover. They are lying out of their orifices. We all overtly or privately judge books (and people) by their exterior — we’re genetically wired to do so. It’s how our species has survived this long.
- There will be many days when you feel like a fraud in this business.
- There will also be plenty of days when — no matter how hard you try — your writing will stink more than a fermented egg.
- Editing sucks.
- Get comfortable with the silence in your writer’s corner. Most of your work will get done in isolation.
- If you’re not careful, you’ll gain plenty of timber.
- Not every book you publish will be a hit. Park your ego (yes, even mine), remain humble, and keep your fingers on the keyboard.
- Editing sucks.
- Do not beat yourself up for not sustaining the routine you once had pre-kids. You’re in a new season of life. Adjust accordingly.
BONUS: It turns out there are a lot of people who also wish there were more shorter fantasy books available. And if you’re one of them, I have just the thing for you:
https://djjwatsonstore.com/products/TDR-Bundle
DJJW