 Writing fiction is a deeply emotional process. Undoubtedly, we’re going to be pulling from our own trauma at some point. Sometimes we write the life we wish we had, and that can be a healing experience. Other times, we're writing to fight our way through perplexing problems. No matter where we find ourselves in the process, writing a novel is a transformative journey. It’s not for the faint of heart! In my own writing journey, I’ve seen a lot of highs and lows. I understand how crushing self-doubt can be, and that’s only mentioning one of the land mines that writers face. I’ve been through periods of deep depression, and there were many times when I wanted to quit. Sometimes I did quit (for a little while), but if you’re truly called to be a writer, you’ll find yourself drawn back to the page again and again. “Writing is my obsession, my passion. My relationship with it is one of the most complex, and agonizing, and richly vexing that I have in my life.” ~ Julianna Baggott “A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” ~ Thomas Mann  Comparison Sometimes comparison is the culprit for self-doubt. No matter what kind of brave face we put on for the world, it hurts to see others get the book deal you wanted. Gore Vital said, “Whenever a friend succeeds, a little something in me dies.” While this quote is funny in a way, we’d all be lying if we said we couldn’t relate. The best remedy for this pain is to celebrate everyone’s victories. Honestly, the publishing journey is a lot about timing, and everyone’s journey is different. Sometimes the book deal we think we want may be the very thing that would destroy us. I remember a friend getting a three-book deal that I was envious of. But then, when I saw the schedule she had to keep, and all the ways her health suffered because of it, I changed my mind. I actually know many authors who turn down multiple book deals for this reason. You have to know yourself, and you have to have clear, achievable goals. Imposter Syndrome Imposter syndrome hits every writer. We all wonder if we’re good enough or if we’re on the right track. This doesn’t change for veteran authors either. Each book brings different challenges, and we always wonder if we can pull it off. Tip: Bad writers don’t wonder if they’re bad writers. They think everything they write is amazing. Being hit with imposter syndrome can be used as an emotional litmus test. If you suffer from imposter syndrome, you’re probably right on track. Perfectionism Perfectionism has been particularly challenging for me. Of course, I want to write the best stories possible, but obsessing about getting them perfect has stopped my forward movement many times. I’ve put projects in the drawer longer than I should have, and there were times when I stopped writing. Sometimes perfectionism comes from wounds we’ve received in the past. As we go in on the healing of our trauma, our writer side will get stronger too. Learn to let yourself play as you write and give yourself the permission to write badly. Tip: Stream of consciousness writing can help you overcome perfectionism. When you turn your inner editor off, you’ll be surprised at the creative depths you can explore.  Rejection Rejection sensitivity can stop you from achieving your writing dreams. We all know rejection is part of this business, but developing a thick skin takes time. It helps if you have a strong support group who will cheer you on. Sometimes you even have to flip the rejections and celebrate them. Rejection means you tried. You showed up, and you put something out into the world. As you grow as a writer, you’ll realize that there is never one event that is the “end all.” Even if your dream agent says no, just keep moving forward. Trust in the concept that a door that closes probably wasn’t the right one for you anyway. Tip: Expose yourself to rejection deliberately. If you are a querying author, set a goal to collect a certain number of rejections. This gamifies the process, making rejection feel like a milestone instead of a failure.  Fear of Failure Fear can manifest in so many ways for writers. Sometimes it looks like procrastination, and other times it looks like over-analysis of a draft. Sometimes we’re so afraid of what others will think of our writing that we tone it down instead of writing “close to the bone.” Using fear as a litmus test is another thing that’s been valuable for me. If I’m particularly afraid of someone reading a scene, it’s probably a good one. It’s usually those scenes where we pull back the curtain and let our humanity show. Readers typically don’t come to fiction to read the boring, safe stuff. Readers want to know what’s real and raw and true. As students of the craft, we can always heighten our scenes and tap into deeper emotions. Here are some quotes to help: “The thing you’re afraid to admit is the thing people will read twice.” ~ Anne Enright “If you’re afraid it’ll ruin your reputation, it’s probably the best thing in the piece.” ~ Eve Babitz “Write the thing you’d hate to explain in court.” ~ Anne Enright “The willingness to betray one’s own secrets is what makes good writing.” ~ Joan Didion By studying the common pitfalls writers face, and by knowing your emotional patterns, you’ll be able to build resilience for the long haul of publishing. And who knows, once you develop a thick skin and a clear vision, you just might start to have fun. Here’s to the journey!  Brandy Vallance is a literary agent with Barbara Bova Literary Agency, and an award-winning author. She is the winner of two national writing awards, one of which included a $20,000 prize. Her novel, THE COVERED DEEP, has been featured in USA Today and Writer’s Digest. Romantic Times called WITHIN THE VEIL “passionate and riveting” and Publisher’s Weekly encourages those who like sweeping Scottish sagas to dive in because “the journey is wonderful.” Brandy loves helping writers break the chains of fear and self-doubt. You can find out more at brandyvallance.com.  Attend a Writers Conference in 2026:
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