I shared this post about enjoying the process of writing a first novel on my first blog (which you probably haven’t heard about 😉 ) Part of the reason I’m sharing it here today is because I hope it’ll reach someone who needs to see it. I’ve met too many aspiring authors who worry about getting published so much that they don’t enjoy the journey of getting there. Your first novel, for example, might just be one of the best experience you have writing. I hope this post explains why!

I’ve read that writing gets easier the more you do it. Of course, that’s true. The more you write, the more you learn about the intricacies of writing. You learn how to create characters who resonate with your readers, and to create a storyline that will keep them captivated. And while these are only a few things to look forward to as you grow as a writer, there are benefits to writing that very first book.

1. You’ll discover your voice

When writing your first novel, you’ll be able to write whatever you want, however you want. There’s an incredible freedom in that that you only truly appreciate when you’re thinking about whether you’ve used a phrase to describe something previously, or whether the character you’ve created is too similar to one you’ve already used (yes, I am talking about my current battle).

Enjoy this freedom.

Before you know it, you’ll be challenging your go-to descriptions and the conflicts you find interesting. Don’t take them for granted while you can still use them!

2. You won’t have to consider a publisher’s requirements

If writing your first novel is more for yourself than with the aim of getting published or you plan on self-publishing, this can be quite freeing. You’ll be able to explore the genres and hooks that you want to instead of worrying about what a publisher might want from you. This comes with a number of advantages. For example, you’ll get to use whatever language you’d like to or you’ll be able to write about a specific topic that interests you.

If you do want that first book to be published by a publisher however, you can still enjoy this benefit if you look for a publisher who is a good fit for your project. And if you have a specific publisher in mind…

3. You’ll get to use your favourite tropes of what that publisher offers in your book

After years of reading Harlequin‘s romance novels, I knew I wanted them to publish me. I thought about which of their tropes I enjoyed the most and realised that I was always captivated by office romances. So, the first story I sold to Harlequin, The Tycoon’s Reluctant Cinderella, used the office romance trope.

It will be a lot more challenging for me to use this trope in the future. If I do, I will have to find a fresh way of telling this story. But that’s the great thing about being a first-time writer: you can use the hooks you love in any way you please!

What are you enjoying about writing your first novel? Or what do you miss about writing that first story? Share in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter!