Last week, I finished the first draft of my wip. On one hand, I was excited and proud that I’d got to The End. I liked the story. I felt hopeful. Then the weekend hit and fear followed. I suddenly worried about finishing it because once I’ve revised it, I’ll need to send it. Out There.

We all get told as writers we have to learn to deal with rejection. To accept. Even expect it. And just keep going regardless. Never give up! And I’ve developed a pretty thick skin when it comes to hearing the word “no” but it’s still a big deal to hit the send button on a submission. To put your baby in the hands of agents and the publishing world and find out whether this story is The One or whether it will just fatten the rejection pile.

I’m pretty nervous about putting another story out there. They all feel like pieces of me somehow. But I know I will do it. I have to. The need burns inside me and it’s worth risking hearing another “no” just to feel the touch of possibility. To give it a shot.

So I won’t put off editing my story. I won’t let nerves get to me. I’ll write the best version of this I can and put it out there to be judged. Whatever the outcome, I will cling on to that excited, proud feeling I had last week.

Because even if nothing comes of it, I finished a novel.

I. Finished. A Novel.