Not everyone knows this but I’m writing my first novel. At first, it was something that I was doing in my spare time with no actual plan. Then, a professional editor who agreed to mentor me throughout the manuscript development process. Suddenly, I feel like I’m creating something that will be an important part of my future. How exactly…? I’m not sure, but my chances of getting it published seem a lot higher. So, I’m a lot more motivated to make it happen. 

Has writing my first novel changed my online business in any way?

The short answer is a yes and a no. Writing my first novel has made my desire to tell my own story is just as strong as my desire to help other people tell their story. Yet, I’m not exactly ready to let go of the work I’m currently doing for my clients and my business. Although one of the greatest perks of writing a novel is how it changed my approach to blogging and content creation. Here are  a few key changes worth highlighting.

1) Writing my first novel made storytelling a lot more important

Don’t get me wrong, Storytelling was always a key source of motivation. Because why else would I be a professional writer…? However, so much of the content people pay me to write, edit, and give content strategy advice on is about building an audience and increasing brand loyalty. So, the desire to tell a story can sometimes get lost in the flurry of deadlines and client interactions.

The book I’m writing is of the most difficult things I’ve ever written.

Because it explores the difficult topic of my life with a permanent disability. So every time I write or revise parts of it, I’m exploring memories and experiences with my disability. Since some of that involves exploring issues like social stigma, bullying, and barriers to education and work, I’m sharing some difficult details about my past.

Sometimes, I have written about these subjects. Yet, this is the very first time I’m not hiding behind a character or a client’s interests. I didn’t realize what a truly difficult endeavour this is until I met a writer who was writing about subject matter that’s equally as challenging. But what keeps me going on this book is the mentor I’m meeting with regularly who believes in what I’m doing. Then there’s my family who also thinks I’m on to something good.

Not to mention, I want to help people facing the same challenges. This has fueled my desire to focus more on storytelling, and less on formulaic how-tos.

2) Because I’m writing my first novel, I want to focus more on community building (offline)

Don’t get me wrong. I love all the amazing stuff that can happen because of social media, my blog, and a really good newsletter. But my work used to feel a bit lonely sometimes. Then, I started to meet people through everything from my co-working space, to blogging and entrepreneur-focused events. What kept me going was the knowledge that there were people like me out there. And I’m not exactly crazy to want the things I want.

The extreme “nichey-ness” of the book I’m writing has made me realize that I need a really good local community than I ever have. Because I’m not Marie Forleo, and I’m not Margaret Atwood (but I did see Margaret Atwood at Pearson Airport security one time). So, I’m eager to diverse my methods for staying relevant and attracting interest.

3) Blogging is now about a lot more than just myself

When I first started blogging, I had so little confidence that it would be anything more than a hobby that I wrote under a pen name for a year. Then I started to use my actual name when developing new content. This helped me get my first clients only a month after I finished college.

Although this created its own challenges. Suddenly everything I wrote, even if I wasn’t being paid for it felt like it had to live up to someone else’s interests and ideas of excellence. Then, the “me” that just wanted to help people tell their stories felt a bit left behind. With time, I found the balance of staying true to myself and keeping people happy. But it took a huge mindset shift for this actually happen.

Recently, I started attending a writer’s group for the first time in years. The significance of that is that the person in charge is an old friend of mine that was there when I first started getting into writing. Through that, I rediscovered my own voice, and for the first time in years have a safe environment where I could practice writing and share what I wrote. This was a safe environment where I could make mistakes and learn from those mistakes with no consequences.

However that didn’t change how I wrote

It just forced me to reshift my priorities, and made me realize that I was saying the word “yes”, more than I was saying the word “no” when it came to opportunities that came my way. But now more than ever, I want to listen to what my gut instinct is telling me about the right and wrong opportunities for everything I represent.

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Please add a comment below if you'd like to discuss this topic. – Rosie