If you’re drawn to writing a novel, then you’re meant to write a novel.

I’ve just gotten back from a business conference across the country and am still a bit jet-lagged, so this week I’m resharing a newsletter from 2024 that still resonates with me.

One of my go-to beliefs when it comes to writing: if you are drawn to writing, then you are meant to write.

You could be drawn to doing anything else in the world, but writing is what captures your attention and makes your heart sing. Maybe it’s because you love books, and you want to try writing your own, or maybe you just have so many ideas in your head, the only way to get them out is through writing.

But often, when the writing gets tough, we get discouraged and start to think maybe it isn’t for us. Maybe we don’t have good ideas, maybe it’s a waste of time, maybe no one will actually like what we have to say.

Whenever these doubts pop up in my head, I always return to this belief:

I am meant to do this because I am drawn to do this.

I could have an interest in sculpting or heart surgery or starring in a television show. If those were drawing my attention, then I’d want to put my energy into making that happen for me. Into making those dreams a reality.

But those aren’t my dreams (in fact, blood creeps me out and television seems exhausting). My dream is writing, and even though it’s hard, even though I doubt myself, because I’m drawn to it, that means I’m meant to do it.

Back in 2020, when I got serious about writing and started working on the novel that would become my first published book, I had a lot of doubts.

I’d always written, ever since I was a little kid, but I’d never finished anything.

I thought since I hadn’t finished anything before that writing wasn’t meant for me. Maybe I should just give up and do something easier with my time.

But even when I took breaks, I couldn’t stop thinking about my novel. I kept listening to podcasts, reading blogs, and immersing myself in the writing world.

And what I came to realize was that my desire to write a novel meant that I was meant to write this novel.

I could have spent that time doing anything else, but writing was taking up my time.

Once I held onto that belief—that I was meant to write this novel—it became easier to show up and do the work every day, even when it was hard or I didn’t feel like it. I learned that “real” writers don’t let their doubts stop them from making progress on their novels.

Nowadays, when my clients say they aren’t sure if they should write their novel, they’ve never been a writer before, or they’ve never been able to finish a novel before, I ask them why they want to write this novel.

Whatever the reason—it’s been a lifelong dream, the story idea won’t leave them alone, they want to prove they can do it—reaffirms my belief in them that they are meant to write this novel. And once I can hold onto that belief, they start to see what’s possible, too.

Even if you think you aren’t meant to write a novel because you only recently decided you wanted to write something (maybe an idea came to you in a dream a few months ago)—writing is the kind of thing where you can get bit by the bug at any point in life, regardless of what you’ve done before. Once you have the urge to write, that means you should write.

I’d love to know in the comments—what has drawn you to writing? Why is this something you just can’t ignore? Do you believe that you are meant to do it because you can’t stop thinking about it?

I’m an indie author and book coach skilled at digging into the mindset issues that keep us from finishing our novels. If you’re interested in finally finishing the novel of your dreams, let’s set up a consultation call.

During this 60 minute session, we’ll discuss your story idea, your challenges with writing, and what’s drawn you to writing. I’ll craft a 3 step plan for you to ensure you make progress on your novel in our time together. Book a call here to get started.