If there’s one thing I’ve learned on this wild ride of being an author, it’s that I am definitely not perfect. And you know what? That’s perfectly fine! (And if anyone tells you they’re perfect, just remind them that we’re all human—unless they’re a robot, in which case, we need to talk about your AI skills.)
You see, every time I look back at my earlier works, I cringe just a little. Okay, maybe a lot. Plotholes that I patched over with the kind of flimsy excuses I’d never accept from my kids on homework. There are commas that should be in the witness protection program, hiding far away from the sentence they’re supposed to be part of. And some of the phrases? Oh boy. If I could go back in time, I’d sit myself down and say, “Honey, that line? It’s not even funny, it’s just… confusing.”
But here’s the thing – I wrote this. It’s my work, my journey, my creation. And that’s something to be proud of. It’s like my first attempt at baking a cake – sure, it might have looked like a science experiment gone wrong, but it was mine. And slowly, over time, my writing has gotten better. Like that cake – I’ve learned to not use baking soda instead of baking powder, and to avoid using every pan I own in the process.
I used to be a “pantser” – for those who don’t know, that’s a writer who goes by the seat of their pants and just… well, writes. No plot, no plan, just a cup of coffee and a vague idea of what the character might do next. It’s all fun and games until you hit chapter three and realize you’ve written yourself into a corner, with a plot twist that makes absolutely no sense. But guess what? That was me. And I survived.
Now? Well, now I’m a “plotter.” Yes, I know. I made the leap. I’ve learned to make notes. A lot of notes. Big notes. Little notes. Post-its everywhere, like a weird office supply explosion. But those notes? They keep me from writing myself into that corner again. And I’ll be honest, the plotter lifestyle is way more stable, even if I do have to admit that the magic of spontaneous storytelling is sometimes hard to let go of.
And here’s the kicker – I’ve come to realize that writing is a business. A serious one. It’s not just about writing whatever crazy idea pops into my head and calling it a day (though, to be fair, that’s a huge part of the fun). It’s about understanding that every book I put out there is a product, and the best way to treat it is to treat it seriously. That means setting goals, making deadlines, and yes, even scheduling in time for all those notes and edits. It means figuring out what works, what doesn’t, and not being afraid to scrap something that’s just not right. Trust me, I’ve had to scrap a lot of things. A lot.
But here's the thing: It’s okay to not be perfect. I know that every time I hit "publish" on a new book, someone might think, "Hmm, this could’ve been better." And you know what? They’re probably right. But I’m learning. I’m growing. And I’m getting better with every book I write.
So, to anyone out there who’s ever been too afraid to start something because they weren’t sure if it would be perfect – take it from me. Don’t wait for perfection. Just do it. Write it. Create it. Because in the end, it’s all about learning from the mistakes and finding your own unique voice.
After all, being human in the age of AI? Well, that’s a pretty big deal.
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