So You Want to Write a Book: What Every New Writer Needs to Know First [Episode One]

The Spark – Understanding Why You Want to Write

So, you want to write a book.

Maybe you’ve had the idea rattling around in your head for years, or maybe the desire hit you like a bolt of lightning after reading a novel that stirred your soul. Maybe it’s a calling you’ve tried to ignore. But here you are, standing at the edge of a vast, thrilling, and sometimes intimidating journey.

Let me tell you this right now: you can do it.
You can write your book.

But before we dive into chapters, characters, or outlining techniques, let’s slow down. Episode One is about the why, because if you don’t understand what’s driving you, your passion will eventually hit roadblocks, and you’ll struggle to push through them.

This isn’t just about writing a book. It’s about knowing why you’re writing it.

Part 1: The Emotional Landscape of a New Writer

1.1 The Mix of Emotions

New writers often carry a tangled ball of emotions: excitement, fear, self-doubt, determination, and impostor syndrome. You might worry:

• “What if I’m not good enough?”
• “What if nobody wants to read what I write?”
• “What if I never finish?”

Let me affirm something important: every writer starts here—even the greats.
The voice whispering, “You’re not a real writer,” isn’t the truth—it’s fear. And fear is not a reason to stop. It’s often a sign you’re on the right path.

1.2 You Don’t Need Permission

This is your story. You don’t need a publisher’s green light, a degree in literature, or 10,000 followers to start writing. You only need one thing: the will to begin.

Writing is not reserved for the chosen few. It’s for anyone who chooses to sit down and do the work. Including you.

Part 2: Define Your Why

2.1 The Power of Purpose

Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. The journey will challenge you—some days you’ll love it, others you’ll want to quit. That’s why it’s essential to define your purpose from the start.

Ask yourself: Why am I writing this book?

Your “why” can be anything, but it should be clear and deeply personal. Some common examples:

• “I want to tell a story I’ve carried for years.”
• “I want to inspire others who’ve faced what I’ve faced.”
• “I’ve never seen someone like me in books—I want to change that.”
• “I want to prove to myself that I can finish something big.”

Keep your reason somewhere visible. Write it on a sticky note. Make it your phone wallpaper. Revisit it when the writing gets tough.

2.2 Who Are You Writing For?

Next, think about your audience. Are you writing for:

• Teen readers?
• Women healing from trauma?
• Fans of fantasy, romance, or thrillers?
• Yourself?

You can’t write for everyone. Narrowing your audience doesn’t limit your book—it sharpens it.

Knowing your reader helps you shape your tone, story choices, and how personal you get. It doesn’t mean you can’t write freely—it just helps you write with focus.

Part 3: Facing the Common Mental Blocks

3.1 “I’m Not a Real Writer”

Ah, the impostor syndrome. The great equalizer. Here’s a secret: even published authors feel this way.

What makes you a real writer isn’t publishing deals, accolades, or social media followers. It’s simple:

Writers write.

If you’re committed to putting words on the page and telling your story, you’re a real writer.

3.2 “I Don’t Have Time”

Time is a legitimate concern. Between jobs, family, and other obligations, writing can feel like an indulgence. But it’s not—it’s a commitment.

Start small:

• 15 minutes a day.
• 1 page a day.
• 500 words a session.

You’ll be shocked at how much progress you can make with small, consistent effort. What matters isn’t the speed. It’s the persistence.

3.3 “I’m Afraid of Failing”

Fear of failure stops so many writers from starting. But failure isn’t finishing a bad draft—it’s never starting.

A first draft isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to exist.

Think of your first draft as scaffolding. Once the structure is up, you can shape, refine, and polish. But without it, you have nothing to improve.

Part 4: Crafting a Mindset for the Long Haul

4.1 Embrace the Mess

Your writing will be clumsy. Ideas won’t always flow. Some days, you’ll write ten words and delete eight. That’s okay. Messy is part of the process.

Let go of perfectionism. It’s not your friend right now. Think of your draft like clay—get it on the wheel first, then shape it.

4.2 Build Your Ritual

Every writer has their rituals. Yours doesn’t need to be fancy—just repeatable. Maybe it’s:

• A cup of tea before you write.
• A certain playlist.
• A time of day when you’re least distracted.

Create a writing space (even if it’s a corner of your bed) that feels sacred to you.

4.3 Find Community

Writing can be lonely. But it doesn’t have to be.

• Join a writing group.
• Follow writing hashtags and communities online.
• Comment on fellow writers’ posts.
• Celebrate milestones with others.

The writing world is full of eager, uncertain, but passionate people like you.

Part 5: Set Expectations (and Break the Myths)

5.1 Writing a Book Takes Time

You might see authors who crank out books in a few months. Others take years. There is no “normal.”

Permit yourself to write at your pace. Comparison is poison.

5.2 You Don’t Need to Know Everything Yet

Don’t wait to start until you’ve figured out your entire plot. You don’t need a title, cover concept, or publishing plan yet.

Just start writing. The rest will come.

5.3 There’s No One Way to Write

Some writers outline. Others discover the story as they go. Some write linearly. Others jump around.

Your process is valid. The only wrong way to write is not to write at all.

Part 6: Preparing for the Journey Ahead

6.1 Set a Soft Goal

Give yourself a gentle, achievable goal for the next month.

Examples:

• “I’ll write for 15 minutes every morning before work.”
• “I’ll complete one chapter.”
• “I’ll write 10,000 words this month.”

It’s not about speed—it’s about commitment.

6.2 Keep a Writing Journal

Start a journal where you document:

• Your writing sessions
• Your emotions
• What worked, what didn’t
• Ideas you don’t want to lose

This helps you track progress and reflect on growth.

Part 7: A Final Word from One Writer to Another

Writing a book isn’t easy, but it is possible. It’s not reserved for the elite or the published. It’s for people like you: dreamers, thinkers, creators.

You have something unique to say. Your voice matters. And the world needs your story—whether ten people read it or ten thousand.

In the next episode, we’ll dig into your first big step: Choosing Your Idea and Defining Your Book’s Core.

But for now, I’ll leave you with this:

👉 You are allowed to be a beginner.
👉 You are allowed to struggle.
👉 You are allowed to grow.
👉 You are allowed to write something amazing.

Thanks,
Victoria