How I wrote and self-published my first book:

I guess there is no better place to start than the beginning. A little over a year ago I started to write a fantasy book. I did it for fun, something to pass the time, a way to get all my ideas out. A few pages in and I put it down. I had too many self-doubts, questioned what I was going to get out of it, and if I was any good.
After graduating from university and having a bit more free time, I decided to pick it back up. The words just started flowing. I wouldn’t sit down and think about what I was going to write, I would simply just write. I couldn’t stop.
I found a real passion in writing. Yes, those self-doubts were still there but this time I felt as though I had to write. Publishing the book was a distant hope I had. I didn’t write though, with the goal of publishing. I wrote because I felt as though I had to tell the story.
I wanted to create a story that was emotional, thrilling, action-driven, and exciting. I have always loved complex female characters. I wanted to write a female character that was strong, brave, courageous, but also emotional, confused, and sometimes, wrong. I think the most thrilling characters are those that are not perfect, they have flaws, and they make mistakes.
After four drafts, I felt as though I was ready. Along the way I got people to beta read it. I got a cover designer, someone to format it, and edit it. I think the hardest moment was after I wrote the book. I sat there, not sure what to do. I watched countless videos on how to self-publish and why that is a good route to go. I was so new to the writing, and the publishing world, I learned every step of the way.
Finally, I self-published on Amazon. Holding my book in my hands for the first time was such an amazing feeling, one words can’t describe. Of course I still had the challenge of marketing. Tik Tok and YouTube were my go to. Let’s just say I am still learning when it comes to that.
I think the main thing I learned is that we can’t let our fear of failure, not being good enough, or not wanting to put ourselves out there to stop us. Trust me, I am still learning this. If I let my fear of failure overcome me, I would never be able to hold my book in my hands. Something I poured everything into.
If you’re writing a book right now, keep going! You’re going to make mistakes, you’re going to have setbacks. The most important thing is that you keep going. Remember why you started writing in the first place…because you wanted to read your book.