I’ll spare you the “there’s no time like the present” speeches and get to the point. Your novel deserves to get out of your head. Writing your novel is a daunting, perhaps even intimidating undertaking, but the time to begin really is now.

It’s 2021. We haven’t quite pulled out of the terrible year of 2020, but thanks to some of that downtime you have the gift of a novel in your head. Why are you holding on to the idea and holding yourself back like this? Isn’t everything that’s gone on this past crazy year barrier enough to your dreams? I say; if you have a gift, a dream, a plan, even a thought of writing a novel, then sit down at your computer or with your writing notebook and put down those precious few first words.

Let your main character speak for the first time. They do not speak until you give them the words to say. Will you really deny them a voice?

Oh yes, I went there.

I wrote my first novel in 2019. Now in 2021 I am still spinning in circles with a 4th edit. But thanks to some early querying, my 9th query letter landed interest. The agent requested a full manuscript after reading the first three chapters with my query letter. I can thank Twitter for the #PitMad pitching event that allowed me to get his attention.

After reading and analyzing my novel, the agent replied with this:

• He told me I had a “saleable” novel.
• He said that I have great voice and great potential as a novelist.
• He asked about other book ideas I have (which led to a three day email exchange of ideas and encouragement.)
• He gave me a list of things to work on in the first novel (a few issues to be sorted out, which is what I am working on now).
• He invited me to send him anything I write in the future for him to review for possible representation.

Let me tell you; this was one of the most rewarding moments of my life as a writer. And it would never have happened had I not

…..written…..the …damned….novel.

In short, Novels take a lot of time. The ideas for a second novel are swimming in my mind, but that first novel must come to closure for me to proceed. Your book starts with one word, one sentence, one character, one page, just as mind did.

Just think if I had not started it at all. Those characters literally haunted me until I began telling their story. My ‘relationship’ with the characters in my novel is one of those writer experiences I now can say I understand. And I loved it. Today I look back and I am so grateful I got started, kept my head in it, and saw the plot unfold to the end.

Just start. Today.Here are 10 reasons why you should start writing your book today, right now.

• People are celebrating art. People need this right now. Pandemics, politics, social stresses — we all need to breathe in the relief of creativity and authenticity. If you are a writer; you need this.
• Your book has only YOU to tell its story. It is your idea. YOU get to tell it. Plainly put — your book chose YOU.
• If you are a writer — prove it. Writing a book is like a rite of passage. Don’t believe me? Try it!
• It’s a long process. Best get started. Just…get started.
• You learn a lot about yourself as a writer as you construct such a large project. You’ll be tested on many levels, and all of this testing will grow you into new skill, honed voice, and a higher respect for those who came before you.
• It really feels good to tell someone you have written a book.
• It is a LOT of fun. The power of the pen is real.
• It is a great escape to allow your mind to go to its full creative potential. Trying out different genres and types of projects keeps you creatively on your toes.
• The book cannot write itself. (There, one bumper-sticker slogan piece of advice.)
• The possibilities of what your book could be — you will never know unless you ….write…the….damn….book.

Your novel or book may never see anything but the inside of your computer. Or, your mom could read it and tell you it’s great. Or your Beta readers could fawn over your characters and make you feel like the best writer in the world.

Or maybe, just maybe your book will find its way to print.

You’ll never know…unless you start.

Christina M. Ward is the author of the up-and-coming novel Elephant Song.

Her Beta readers loved it.