I am a plotter. Before I ever type the first word of a novel, I outline, again and again. It’s second nature to me, an echo of my background as an accountant. There’s comfort in structure, in knowing the rules and letting them guide the flow. Over time, I’ve refined a system that feels like home, pulling from countless books, courses, and methods. I take what resonates, discard the rest, and make it my own.

But here’s the truth: my process is never static. I trust it completely, even as it shifts and molds itself to fit each new piece I create. My perfectionist side craves a definitive blueprint, something precise and unchanging. Yet every story demands its own rhythm, its own rules. Even now, this blog flows differently than the last.

I’ve learned to embrace the imperfections. I tend to underestimate the work ahead, stumble, and then pick myself back up. Each misstep is an invitation to refine. What felt solid one day might feel shaky the next, but strangely, the wobble always leads to something better. Trusting the process means questioning it, adapting, and growing.

That growth, I’ve realized, isn’t just about the writing itself. It’s about discovering who I am through the act of creation. Each outline, each draft, each revision reflects where I am in my life at that moment. The process becomes a mirror, showing me my strengths and vulnerabilities. It challenges me to look deeper, to let go of expectations, and to find joy in the unexpected twists that inevitably arise.

There are days when the process feels like an uphill climb. On those days, doubt creeps in, whispering that maybe I’ve lost my touch or that the story will never come together. But I remind myself: every writer, no matter how seasoned, faces these moments. They’re not signs of failure but markers of growth. And it’s in those moments of uncertainty that I dig deeper, relying on the foundation I’ve built through years of trial and error.

Writing has always been my greatest love. Whether my words reach one person or remain just for me, the act of crafting them is joy enough. I believe if I truly love what I’ve written, someone else will too. That belief carries me forward, even when the editor’s notes arrive, calling for changes. Each critique is a reminder that writing is collaborative, that refinement is an opportunity to elevate the work, not diminish it.

Refinement, after all, is just another layer of trust. It’s trusting that the process, my evolving, imperfect, ever-changing process, will continue to lead me where I need to go. It’s trusting that each story will find its own unique path, and that by following my excitement and intuition, I’ll uncover the heart of every tale I’m meant to tell. This journey isn’t just about finishing a draft or publishing a book; it’s about embracing the journey itself, one word at a time, and trusting that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

Every step forward, every revision, every unexpected turn, these are not detours but the path itself, guiding me home.

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