Why I Started Writing Again After 11 Years

My First Book: Next in Line
I wrote my first book, Next in Line, when I was about 23. Writing it was such a fun, immersive experience, and I drew a lot from my own life for the funny, lighthearted moments in the story. I even sent it out to two publishers—one showed interest in publishing it, which was incredibly exciting.

Why I Stopped
Life got busy. I got pregnant and suddenly didn’t have the time. I also stopped because of fear. I was scared that no one would like what I’d written and afraid to link my face to it.

Starting Again After 11 Years
I started writing again after 11 years because it’s still my passion. I began thinking about my life, what I want out of it, and what I really want — and that’s to write. I’ve grown so much in these 11 years, and my opinions and values have changed. I never stopped reading during that time, which kept my passion alive.

I’m still absolutely petrified of people not liking my work and of failing as a writer, but I need to give this a go because it’s what I really want.

I decided to self-publish as I thought it would be the least scary way to release my book. Failure is still a fear, and I was worried about rejection. I also wanted to publish my books for me and not anyone else. Even if no one reads them, I’ll have written and published them. If things go well, I may explore traditional publishing later — but for now, I want to see how this journey unfolds.

Rewriting Next in Line
The first thing I did when I started writing again was rewrite and revise Next in Line. It’s my first baby, and because I’ve changed so much in the last 11 years, I wanted the book to change with me. I didn’t want to forget it.

Since rewriting and editing it, I can’t stop creating different worlds and stories in my head. Once I gave in and started writing again, the ideas just kept coming.

Why Writing Means So Much
Writing helps me every day. I love creating and escaping into the worlds I build. I feel everything my characters feel. If they’re happy or excited, I feel that too. If they’re scared or angry, I feel that as well. It’s like living their story alongside them.

Don’t Let Fear Win
My message is simple: don’t let fear stop you. It’s easy to give in and avoid the scary things, but don’t. I feel like I’ve lost time by stopping for 11 years. Imagine how far I could be if I hadn’t paused.

It’s easy to want to give up, but don’t. Chase your passion, face the fear, and keep going.