Hey writers (and aspiring writers)! Welcome to the first of many writing tips blog posts! Today, I want to dive into something that I’ve learned firsthand while working on Obsessing Over Coffee and Us — and that’s embracing the chaos of your story’s evolution.
Trust Your Characters
Your characters often know more than you do. I’ve found that once I got to know Mare and Ethan better, they started to drive the plot in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Trust your characters to guide the narrative — listen to their voices, and let them make choices that feel real and true to who they are. You’ll be surprised how much richer your story becomes when you allow your characters to have agency.
Don’t Be Afraid to Rewrite
I’ll admit, rewriting can be a tough pill to swallow. You’ve spent hours crafting a scene, and now you’re realizing it doesn’t quite work anymore. My advice? Don’t be afraid to cut or rewrite entire sections. It can feel frustrating, but every revision brings you closer to the core of your story. The more willing you are to change and adapt, the stronger your final manuscript will be.
Embrace the Mess
Writing a novel is messy. That’s just the nature of it. There will be drafts that feel like a jumble of ideas, plot holes that need filling, and characters that might change personalities halfway through. And that’s okay! Don’t stress about making the first draft (or the second… or the third…) perfect. Embrace the mess and keep going. The beauty of writing is in the refinement — but you can’t polish what isn’t on the page.
Take Breaks and Get Perspective
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your story is step away from it for a bit. After a break, you’ll come back with fresh eyes and new ideas. You’ll spot things you didn’t notice before and might see new possibilities for your characters or plot. Give yourself permission to take a breather — your story will thank you for it.
Write Every Day (Even If It’s Just a Little)
I know — life is busy, and it’s hard to carve out time to write every single day. But I’ve found that writing, even just for 10 or 15 minutes, keeps the momentum going. It doesn’t matter if you only manage to jot down a paragraph or two. The key is consistency. Regular writing sessions keep you engaged with your story and help you build a habit that will make progress feel steady over time.
Read Like a Writer
I can’t stress this enough: reading is one of the best tools a writer has. Read widely and often, especially in the genre you’re writing. Pay attention to how other authors structure their stories, develop their characters, and build tension. Take note of what you love (or don’t love) in the books you read and apply those lessons to your own work. Reading critically can sharpen your storytelling skills and inspire new ideas.
Read Your Manuscript As You Go
This is something that has helped me immensely while working on Obsessing Over Coffee and Us, and I think it’s a practice that can really keep you connected to your story as it evolves. Sometimes I thought a chapter was a gold mine — until I read the story as a whole and realized it didn’t fit at all. It happens, and it sucks.
But reading your manuscript as you go is a way to catch those moments early. It can be tempting to plow ahead without looking back, but pausing to read what you’ve written so far allows you to see the bigger picture. Does that chapter actually contribute to the story, or did it take a detour? Are the characters staying consistent, or has someone’s personality completely changed without explanation?
Final Thoughts (for now)
At the end of the day, writing is a journey filled with unexpected twists, messy drafts, and plenty of revisions. But that’s also what makes it so rewarding! So, whether you’re squeezing in a few words each day or stepping away for a breather, keep the bigger picture in mind and enjoy the process. After all, it’s the love for the craft that keeps us coming back to the blank page. Happy writing, and stay tuned for more tips coming your way!