Staying The Course
No one is born a writer. In fact, you never cease becoming because you never stop learning how to write. Even now, I’m becoming a writer, and so are you. - Joe Bunting
When I began writing Son of Prophecy, I had no idea I was embarking on a journey to complete a novel. It started as an outpouring of trauma—a way to process the darkness I was going through and how it affected me. I didn’t study writing or story structure. I wasn’t following a blueprint from a writing class or a YouTube tutorial. The story emerged organically, leading me through itself in unexpected ways.
At first, I wrote without realizing I had begun in the middle. I found myself working outward—both forward and backward—sometimes writing freely without a plan, other times carefully plotting the next steps. It was far from the traditional writing process so often preached to aspiring authors. Yet, through it all, there was an innate knowing that the story was alive, pulling me deeper and revealing itself one piece at a time. There were moments when I felt like a conduit rather than a creator—as though the story had chosen me to bring it into the world. And that sense of surrender, of trusting something greater than myself, became a guiding force through the most uncertain stretches of the process.
If there’s one thing I would tell anyone starting their writing journey, it’s this: slow down and listen. Don’t rush to charge ahead or force the story into existence. Take the time to savor each step. Pay attention to the characters and ideas that emerge. Ask yourself how they add depth and meaning to the whole. Writing is not just about putting words on a page—it’s about being present with the story as it unfolds. Some parts will come easily, like a flood that demands to be released, while others will resist you, asking for patience and stillness before they reveal themselves. Every writer's process is unique, and by allowing your story to guide you, you begin to uncover your voice, style, and the themes that call to you.
It takes courage to keep writing when there are no guarantees of success. You pour your heart, your soul, and hours of your life into a world no one else can see—at least not yet. There are days when doubt creeps in, whispering that it isn’t good enough or that no one will care. And yet, you write anyway. Because something inside you knows the act itself is worth it. The words matter. Even if they only reach one person who needs them, the journey is not in vain.
Feedback is valuable, but your relationship with the story matters most. Stay connected to what is blossoming on the page. There will be moments when the story pours out effortlessly and others when it needs distance to breathe. Sometimes you will need to step away; other times, you must buckle down and refine what you have. Like panning for gold, the process involves sifting through detours and fluff until the true nuggets of the story shine through. This work is not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to keep digging, the rewards—both tangible and intangible—are priceless.
Writing is a solitary act of devotion. It requires pouring your heart, soul, and energy into the work, even when no one is watching. But it is also an act of discovery. Through the act of writing, you come to know yourself—your hopes, your fears, your truths—in ways you never expected. With patience and persistence, patterns emerge, and the hours spent crafting your world become undeniably worth it. There may never be external validation in the form of accolades or best-seller status, but the internal reward—the knowledge that you gave life to something that once only existed in your mind—is beyond measure.
Find what works for you—whether it’s writing in a quiet room, taking inspiration from nature, or jotting notes in a bustling cafe. There is no universal method, only what resonates with you. And when you take the time to listen to the whispers of your story, you will arrive at its most authentic and powerful version. The creative process is not about forcing outcomes—it is about allowing the story to emerge as it is meant to. Trust that what you are creating has value, even if the world has not yet seen it.
So, to anyone just beginning their writing journey: trust yourself. Trust the process. The story is already inside you, waiting to be heard. All you have to do is listen and follow where it leads. Even on the hardest days, when progress feels slow and the finish line is nowhere in sight, remember—every word you write brings you closer. And that alone is worth it.
Ratna