For the past six (6) weeks, I have been working on my novel for the LAPA Publishers YA competition. I decided to enter the competition on 18 September, the competition closed on 31 October.

Why? Because making my life difficult is one of my favourite past times.

I usually write a complete manuscript in three – to five months. I had to speed up my writing process for the competition.

I’ve always been someone who can finish a draft of a book in about four weeks, so I wasn’t scared I would finish the first draft. But I didn’t want to send in the first draft, so I was driven to finish the novel. I finished my first draft in ten (10) days – it was just over 24 500 words.

I also let it rest for ten (10) days – usually I let it rest for at least a month. To be honest, I didn’t ignore the book for the full ten (10) days. For about four (4), I did the intense research to improve as quickly as possible.  

I read a lot, listen to advice, and viewed critical reviews of books in the same genre.

Brandon Sanderson’s “Five tips for writing your first novel” was invaluable. “Begin with a monologue,” was his second tip. It was a great way to get to know my character and story.

I used character profile to interview my main character. This method adds depth to my characters and enhances the overall storytelling experience.

I also put a lot of pressure on my beta readers to get back as soon as possible.

I’m excited to get this book out into the world, and I know that pressure is a part of the process. Receiving immediate feedback has been both nerve-wracking and rewarding.