The Emotional Arc of a Writer: Writing Stages (Part 1)
- Donna Carbone
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Episode 78
Writing a novel isn't just a craft journey, it's an emotional one. From the excitement of a new idea to the vulnerability of sharing your work and the uncertainty of publication, every milestone brings both triumphs and challenges that are part of a writer's emotional arc. In this episode, the first of a two-part series, we'll explore the emotional benchmarks most writers encounter during the stages of writing a novel and offer practical strategies for navigating them with resilience and confidence.
Part I: Stages of Writing
Show Notes:
Personal Assumptions
Stages 1-5:
The Spark
The First Draft
The Mid-draft Slump
Finishing the Draft
Revision
Personal Application
What did you think becoming a writer would feel like, and what has surprised you most?
The myth that confidence arrives with success.
Why emotional growth often parallels craft growth.
The idea that every writer, regardless of experience level, faces self-doubt.
Stage 1: The Spark
This is the “I have an idea phase”
Emotion: excitement, inspiration, possibility
Common thoughts: “This is exciting” “I can’t wait to begin”
Challenges:
Too many ideas
Fear of choosing the wrong one
Romanticizing the idea and the process
Actionable advice:
Capture the idea immediately
Commit to it long enough to explore the possibilities and limitations
Keep your judgment at bay
Simply write, not to be good, but to get the ideas on the page
Key Takeaway: Excitement gets you started. Commitment keeps you going.
Stage 2: The First Draft
Emotion: Excitement meets reality
Common thoughts: “this isn’t as good as I imagined” “I’m not a good writer”
Challenges:
Self doubt
Impatience
Comparing your work to published works
Losing momentum
Actionable Advice:
Separate the draft from editing
Set short-term process goals
Remember first drafts are about you telling yourself the story
Key Takeaway: Completing the first draft is the goal; become comfortable that it will need work and probably a lot of work.
Stage 3: The Mid-draft Slump
Emotion: frustration, uncertainty
Common thoughts: “this story isn’t working” “I should start something new” “I’m not a writer; I should just give up”
Challenges:
Loss of novelty
Structural issues emerge
Decreased motivation
Actionable Advice:
Reconnect with the story’s core
Focus on the next scene vs. the whole manuscript
Expect resistance as part of the process
Key Takeaway: Most writers quit at this point. Keep going.
Stage 4: Finishing the Draft
Emotion: pride, relief, perhaps a bit of panic
Common Thoughts: “I did it” “I finished a draft” “Now what?”
Challenges:
Realizing revision and editing await
Feeling exposed
Actionable Advice:
Celebrate your accomplishment
Let the draft sit for a time before you tackle revision ( a month, six weeks…)
Reflect on the project during this time: take notes
Key Takeaway: Finishing the first draft of a novel is a major milestone. Allow yourself the feel accomplished.
Stage 5: Revision
Emotion: overwhelm, hopeful, discovery
Common Thoughts: “This needs a lot more work than I thought” “I have so many ideas where to take this, but how?” “Can I actually fix this?”
Challenges:
Seeing flaws
Identifying your process–what to fix first and how
Willingness to make big structural changes
Feeling like you are working under the gun
Actionable Advice:
Revise in layers
Focus on big-picture issues first
View revision as opportunity and transformative vs. a chore
Take your time–your story is worth it
Key Takeaway: The revision process is where the book takes shape. Many novels go from good to great during this phase
Personal Application:
Which of these phases carried the most emotion for you?
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 writing & choose one or more of the actionable solutions that resonate most with your own journey.
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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