How I Learned to Write a Novel

At the end of 2021 I decided to write a novel. Today, in December 2025, I have my completed first novel in my arms and I’m reflecting on how I got from point A to point B. Every writing story is wildly different and this is mine. Grab a coffee, this will be a long one.

I’m a naive, delusional person by nature. In my twenties and thirties, I built a career by believing I could do things I’d never tried. I’ve always been willing to go out of my depth and 90% of the time things are easier than they look. Novel writing is the opposite. Luckily, by the time I figured that out it was too late. I was in deep.

If I would have known how long it would take me to write a novel I was satisfied with (4 years) That may have scared me off. I’m glad I didn’t know. I’m so grateful that when my astrologer suggested I write a novel I decided on the drive home to go for it. It sounded fun and challenging. That night I googled (with zero irony) “how long did it take to write Twilight?”. 3 months it said. “Great!” I thought. “I can write four novels a year.”