Chapter 1: A Letter to Myself

Dear Me, as of November 24th, 2023, you find yourself with 96 drafts and no published pieces in over six months. Some of these drafts are only partly developed, while others are more complete or have even been reviewed. So, what's the hold-up? You already know the answer, but let’s break it down.

During quiet moments—whether you’re walking, driving, showering, or cooking—ideas often strike. Insights dance around in your mind, and when solitude grants them space, clarity emerges. Suddenly, you have a thought that you’re eager to share. You jot it down on Medium, crafting it into a few concise sentences, then close the app, feeling a sense of release. Although the piece isn’t fully polished, the prospect of expanding on it fills you with excitement. Unfortunately, many ideas stall here; you may lack inspiration when revisiting them or feel insecure about expressing your thoughts. Thus, another potential piece remains unpublished.

Yet, there are times when you press on. A particular concept continues to ignite your enthusiasm, and you dive deeper into it days later. You manage to write 3-6 paragraphs exploring various angles, which brings you great satisfaction. Though your work may be rough and riddled with errors, you feel a sense of accomplishment. But then, doubts creep in. As you reflect, some of these expanded ideas seem weak, and once again, you find yourself stuck. Thus, yet another piece falls by the wayside.

However, there are moments when you push through. After reviewing, you find certain elements of the idea still resonate, prompting you to edit and clarify your thoughts. You begin fact-checking, recognizing that your feelings might not fully align with reality. You refine your work continuously, but this cycle of polishing feels endless. Self-doubt re-emerges, and motivation wanes as you convince yourself the article isn’t worthy of publication. A few days pass, and you turn to the next idea, only to find yourself caught in the same cycle, facing those three recurring obstacles.

This pattern explains how your drafts have ballooned from 1 to 20, then to 50, and now nearly 100. You attribute this to your 'high' standards, but the truth lies in your ego. The fear of sharing something that isn’t exceptional or doesn’t garner attention leads to feelings of inadequacy. But here’s the thing: you need to accept this phase! While some exceptions exist, most creators of quality content did not start as the polished writers you admire today. Growth takes time, and before becoming selective and conscious, you must invest effort into your craft. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t strive for excellence; rather, it encourages you to give your all and then share your work with the world. Remember to seek feedback and assess your progress over time (having only five published essays is a small foundation to build upon).

So, take the leap, embrace your mistakes, and share your writings online, within writing groups, and with friends. Keep making mistakes and evolving. Aim to be a better writer than you were yesterday. I believe in you!

-Love, You

Section 1.1: The Inner Critic

The struggle against self-doubt is a common experience for writers. It's essential to recognize that many successful authors faced similar challenges on their journey.

Chapter 2: Finding Your Flow

The first video title is DEAR CHRISTIAN PUBLISHERS . . . we'd like to see some changes - YouTube. In this video, discussions revolve around the expectations and responsibilities of publishers in today's evolving literary landscape, urging them to adapt and improve.

The second video title is Self-Publishing Questions Answered | Q&A Monday Live Stream - YouTube. This session addresses common queries about self-publishing, providing insights and practical tips for aspiring authors navigating the industry.