I started writing the Echoes of You book in November 2024. It’s December 2025 and it’s still not finished 🤦🏻‍♀️ and while I felt immense pressure inside myself to complete this project faster, I’ve learned a few important lessons throughout this process.

When writing a novel, it’s important to take the time to do it right

I’ve felt rushed in my writing in the past.
“Get it out there!”
“Is it ready yet?”
“You have a deadline to keep!”
…The phrases repeated to me over and over again in my career as a ghostwriter. And, understandably so. I mean, they were paying me to do a job for them and they wanted the job done in a certain way within a certain timeframe.

But ghostwriting predictable historical and contemporary romance novels for conglomerate companies is different than writing a proper novel for the love of the craft. (Yes, a part of my soul died each time I wrote those books and it kills me to know what is happening in the industry and that I was a part of it. But girls got bills to pay, my friends).

When we write something for the love of writing, for the thrill of creation, and the passion of the word… well, that’s different. That’s art.

If you care about getting things just right it can take a lot more time to edit than it does to write

I’m currently on my fourth round of major edits and I sincerely thought it would only be about two rounds of major edits to complete this project.

When I first finished writing this book in early spring of 2025 I remember thinking, “Wow, I can get this out by the fall which is perfect because that’s when it takes place!”

😆😆😆

Not even close…

I realized there were important structural changes to make. There was an entire storyline I wanted to add beneath the main story. Then I had ideas for sequels and an entire world opened in my mind.

After round three I thought, “OK, we’re here! It all makes sense and I just need someone to proofread it!”

But I chose a proofreader who thinks very differently than me. Mistake? I don’t think so. He helped me see some important changes and shifts I could make to create a story that was more universally appealing. Minor shifts, but time-consuming nonetheless.

So, I am beginning round four of major edits. And by major, I mean major. I mean moving things around, adding things in, editing things out – not just fixing spelling and grammar issues.

And you know what? IT’S OK. Because I am writing this for the love of creation and the love of writing, not meet some quota or hit it big.

Sometimes it’s best to keep our goals to ourselves

As someone who also deals with chronic health issues and spends considerable time keeping my body up and running, it’s not always easy to meet deadlines anymore. Couple that with my naive expectation that I would only do two rounds of major edits and, well, you have a mess 😆

I remember telling people dates for things and teasing this book like crazy on social media and now I’m sitting here with my face in my hands asking myself why 🤦🏻‍♀️ While it can be motivating to share goals, I think I’m going to keep some things to myself from now on. Again, I’m not doing this for the hype, so why bother putting that pressure on myself? Maybe I’ll just be that one who goes away for a while and comes back with something incredible 🤷🏻‍♀️ maybe not… 😆 we all know I can’t stop sharing things.