The Emotional Arc of a Writer: Beyond Writing a Novel (Part II)
Episode 79
You've finished the book—now what? In Part 2 of our Emotional Arc of a Writer series, we dive into the often-overlooked emotional challenges that come after typing "The End." From sharing your work and facing rejection, to navigating publication, marketing, and the realities of building a long-term writing career, every milestone brings new opportunities and unexpected emotions. We'll discuss the surprises, setbacks, and successes that shape writers beyond the page and offer practical advice for approaching each stage with confidence and resilience.
Part II: Beyond Writing a Novel (continued from Episode 78)
Show Notes:
Stages 6-10:
Sharing Your Work
Querying or Publishing
Publication
Marketing Your Work and Yourself
The Long-term Writing Life
Personal Emotional Surprises
Stage 6: Sharing Your Work
Emotion: self-doubt, vulnerability, fear
Common Thoughts: Whether it’s critique partners, beta readers, agents or publishers–”What if they hate it?” “What if they don’t understand the story I am trying to tell?”
Challenges:
Personal attachment
Fear of criticism or rejection
Actionable Advice:
Seek feedback from trusted readers, first
Listen to their feedback without trying to defend it
Remember feedback is subjective–it is information, not identity
Key Takeaway: Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s moving forward despite the fear
Stage 7: Querying or Publishing
Emotions: Excitement, doubt, hope, anxiety, impatience
Common Thoughts: “Will anyone want this?” “What if I don’t get a single request?”
Challenges:
Rejection
Waiting
Uncertainty
Actionable Advice:
Focus on what you can control
Start a new project that excites you to take your mind off it
Understand that rejection is part of the process
Key Takeway: Persistence matters more than immediate success
Stage 8: Publication
Emotions: Elation, pride, accomplishment, validation, surprise
Common Thoughts: “Why am I still so nervous?” “What if readers don’t like it?” “What’s next?”
Challenges:
Sales pressure
Reviews
Comparison
Imposter syndrome
Actionable Advice:
Separate your books performance from your self-worth
Celebrate the achievement & be in the moment
Continue growing through education on marketing your book and yourself
Fully embrace the opportunities that come to you
Key Takeaway: Publication is a milestone, not the finish line.
Stage 9: Marketing Your Work and Yourself
Emotion: surprise, exposure, vulnerability, self-promotion fatigue
Common Thoughts: “I don’t know anything about PR and sales” “What if people get tired of my self promotion?” “What if nobody cares?” “Where do I begin”
Challenges:
Learning a new skill-set
Trying to do everything at once
Measuring your worth by numbers
Burnout
Actionable Advice:
Shift your mindset from selling to connecting
Start with baby steps: choose one platform strategically
Focus on consistency
Track efforts and outcomes
Make sure writing is still your priority
Key Takeaway: Marketing is not a reflection of your worth as a writer. It's simply another form of storytelling by connecting the right readers with the stories you've worked so hard to create.
Stage 10: The Long-term Writing Life
Emotion: sustainability, endurance, growth
Common Thoughts: “How do I keep doing this?” “Will my next book be as good as the first?”
Challenges:
Burnout
Creative fatigue
Balancing personal and professional time
Actionable Advice:
Build a sustainable schedule: writing, marketing & personal life
Protect your joy and mind your mental health
Define success on your own terms–avoid comparing yours to others
Key Takeaway: A writing career is a marathon, not a sprint.
Our Emotional Surprises
What stage was emotionally harder than expected?
What milestone felt different than you imagined?
What advice would you give your earlier writing self?
SOURCES & LINKS:
“Caring for your mental health as a writer,” The JED Foundation. PDF https://assets.ctfassets.net/
“Writers and Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma,” Atmosphere Press.
Fearless Writing, William Kenower, Writer’s Digest Books
Before and After the Book Deal, Courtney Maum, Catapult
DO NOW: Identify where you are in your post-writing journey & choose one or more of the actionable solutions that resonate most with you.
Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com
Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/
Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com
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