Many aspiring authors recognise early in life that writing is the path they want to follow. Yet, unlike more conventional career choices such as accounting or nursing, expressing this ambition can feel surprisingly difficult. This hesitation rarely comes from a lack of confidence; instead, it reflects an awareness that wanting to be an author is often met with scepticism or negativity. So why does simply stating a desire to write for a living seem to invite judgement in a way other professions do not?

In general people respond negatively when you say you want to be an author because the idea feels vague and unrealistic to them. Unlike traditional careers with standard qualifications and visible milestones, becoming an author doesn’t fit neatly into a conventional life pathway box. For people who prioritise stability and predictability, this uncertainty triggers discomfort, which often comes out as scepticism rather than support.

Another reason is that many people associate writing with failure or struggle. The cultural narrative around authorship tends to focus on just how hard it is to achieve success in the literary field. When someone hears you want to be an author, they may immediately picture financial hardship, rejection letters and ongoing disappointment. They then respond negatively out of concern, however poorly expressed, for your future security.

Let me start this post by saying that yes, I do own a Kindle and, yes, I do make most of book sales as e-books. An e-book reader is an amazing piece of tech, it is so convenient when travelling, you have immediate access to millions of books at any time and they are handy when you are sharing a room or a bed and want to read without turning on the light. E-books are also cheaper to buy than physical ones. However all those factors cannot detract from the fact that 'real' books still win the day for many readers for many reasons. As an avid lover of books from a very young age, I will always reach for a physical book when given the option for the following reasons.

To begin with a physical book offers an experience that is more than just words on the page. Holding a book, feeling its weight, reading the blurb and turning its pages creates a sensory connection that digital screens can’t replicate. This tactile engagement helps you slow down and fully immerse yourself in the text, making reading feel intentional rather than just another screen-based activity. Plus you can't dog ear the page in your Kindle.
 
Printed books are also easier on the eyes. Screens emit light, often leading to eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, especially during long reading sessions. A paper book reflects natural light, allowing readers to read for extended periods without discomfort. This makes physical books especially appealing for deep reading, study, or winding down at the end of the day.

As an author one of the most common questions you get asked is, how many books have you sold? This can be a confronting question and a personal one, especially if your success in your field is only modest. The answer can be vague for example, 'oh, I'm not sure, I'd have to check my sales records.' Or you might choose to embellish your sales totals, which can lead to other questions such as, 'why do you still have a day job if you are selling so many books?' The reality is, for most authors, success is modest by corporate standards, where things are measured by the amount of money you make. However, despite this, most authors continue to write, even knowing they might never crack the big time or get anywhere near quitting their day job. So why do so many authors keep writing anyway?

The primary motivation for many writers is their genuine passion and love for writing. They find joy in the act of creating stories, poems, essays, or articles, and the process itself is fulfilling. As writers will often say, you don't choose writing, it chooses you. If you know that feeling of just having to get the words on paper, you will understand this reality.

Another important reason is that writing provides a powerful means of self-expression and introspection. It allows individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences, even if their work doesn't reach a wide audience. The idea that your internal musings and ideas have not only reached but impacted other people is life affirming in the most amazing way. I will never forget a woman telling me that one line in my first novel inspired her to finish her university degree. I still get goosebumps when I think about it. And the funniest thing was that it was just a simple line of dialogue that most readers didn't give a second thought.
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When my book was first published, I was attending a regular appointment and naturally enough the topic of my novel came up. While I would not consider this person to be a friend, more of an acquaintance, they had come along on the journey to publication and were familiar with the whole process. After expressing good wishes that my sales would do well, I was taken aback when they asked if they could borrow a copy of the book. “Books are just so expensive these days,” they explained. Even though at that stage I was prepared to do just about anything to get my book into the hands of any reader, I saw red at this comment. They, however, seemed to miss the irony that they were dismissing my work as “too expensive” while I was going to have to pay on my way out the door for their expertise (which could also be considered expensive).

I did briefly consider lending this person a copy but before I agreed out loud, I pulled myself up and explained that I didn’t have spare copies to lend (what did I look like, a library?) as I had to keep my own stock ready to sell (hint, hint). Each copy I gave away, I explained, was income I was not receiving. Clearly this was still not enough to convince them, as they shrugged and said they would borrow it from the library sometime. 

On the surface, the idea of editing on your screen can seem like the more efficient choice because you can just get in and change things without the cumbersome process of making  changes on paper and then transferring them onto your digital copy. However there are many reasons why editing by hand is actually more effective and is worth considering as part of your writing routine.

Firstly, editing on paper allows you to engage with your writing in a more tactile and focused way. Reading your work on paper physically feels different than reading it on a screen. This change in medium helps you see your writing from a fresh perspective, making it easier to spot errors that you might have overlooked on a screen. The physical act of marking up a manuscript with a pen also forces you to slow down and consider each change more carefully. There is also evidence to suggest that when reading on a  screen we tend to skim over text whereas reading on paper engages a more thorough absorption of the words in front of us.
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When you are writing a book in these technological times it can be easy to be put off by the thought of having to use fancy software. But this is a myth. Let's face it, the essence of good writing lies in creativity and imagination, not in the physical tools you use. Many of history’s greatest authors wrote their masterpieces using nothing more than quill/pencil/pen and paper or a basic typewriter. A simple word processor like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or even Notepad can be enough to draft, edit, and finalise a book. Ultimately, your focus should be on actually creating your story, rather than getting caught up in the bells and whistles of advanced writing software.

Specialised writing software takes time to master, which can distract you from the actual writing process. Features like advanced outlining tools, character development sheets, or integrated research databases may seem useful, but they can also lead to procrastination. Simple tools allow you to focus on what matters most—getting your words on the page. In fact, some writers find that too many features actually stifle their creativity, rather than enhance it.
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We've all been there - sitting in front of a blank page or an empty computer screen knowing we should be writing but unable to produce anything of value. There's only so many times you can distract yourself with getting something to eat, making a cup of tea or suddenly deciding that you need to reoganise your entire wardrobe. The annoying thing is, writer's block usually strikes when you have allocated yourself some quality writing time and thus should be at your productive best. Instead of throwing your laptop out the window, take a breath and consider some of these ways to get yourself back in the zone.

First of all, don't wait for inspiration to strike. Start writing, even if what you put on the page doesn't seem perfect or even half decent. Just get some words down. Sometimes, the process of writing itself can kickstart your creativity. Set aside a specific time each day to write, and establish a routine that signals to your brain that it's time to work. Hold firm to this commitment and have everything you need ready rather than distracting yourself by getting up every five minutes. By showing up consistently, you can gradually build momentum and break through the block.

Most writers will agree that there are times when editing feels easier than writing something new. It is usually when you are in the midst of writer's block or not feeling particularly inspired and you would rather be doing anything except working on your manuscript. On the face of it editing would seem to be the more difficult chore, given that it requires more attention to detail and involves fixing  and improving things rather than just getting them down on paper. So why, at times, does it feel like the easier road?

When you're editing, you're working with a draft that already has a structure, making it easier to see what needs improvement. You have a foundation to build upon, which can be less daunting than starting from scratch with that blinking cursor on an empty page. There is something about holding a red pen or highlighter in your hand and circling, underlining and crossing things out that feels like you are making progress. Editing also allows for a more objective evaluation of your work. You're reviewing something that's already there (and thus doesn't need any inspiring creativity), which can make it easier to spot errors, inconsistencies, or areas that need enhancement. Even reading something you've written aloud engages a different sense, which helps see how it can be improved.

There's nothing quite as devastating as a negative review on something you've written. No matter how long you've been writing, seeing a lonely one or two stars in the feedback is always a little dagger to the heart. However as challenging as negative reviews can be, they are an inevitable part of putting your work out into the world. To stop yourself going into a spiral of depression each time you come across negative feedback, it's important to learn to deal with it in a constructive and emotionally healthy way.

The first thing to remember is that negative reviews are not a reflection of your worth as a writer or a person. It's necessary to separate your identity from your work and keep that division front of mind. Even though it hurts on the first reading, stay calm while you read the review and remember that not every reader will connect with your writing (just as you do not connect with everything you read). Acknowledge that it's natural to have an emotional reaction when you first come across a negative review. Give yourself some time to process your feelings before saying or doing anything. Avoid reacting impulsively.

Once you've given yourself time to take it in, read the negative review carefully and try to extract any constructive criticism contained in the words. (This might take a few days to come to terms with). Sometimes, even in harsh reviews, there may be valuable feedback that can help you improve your writing. If there is constructive criticism, use it to refine your writing skills. Consider whether there are areas of your work that need improvement and what you can do to make these improvements. If you notice a consistent pattern in negative feedback (e.g., multiple readers pointing out the same issue), it may be worth addressing that aspect in your future writing.