Emily! I’m so glad I found my way to your post this morning—a balm as I wait for edits on my first draft to come in. 🫠 I wish I could’ve saluted you while you were in the middle of your own journey and let you know how brave and badass you are. But I think those descriptors still count!
So proud of you! 🌟 I struggle with being truly vulnerable and unsure whether I could forgo having children (which you could still do if you wish) or quit a full-time job in order to live my dream of writing & publishing a novel. 📖 But, you did it! Your long-term dedication paid off! 👏
Oh my gosh, such a hard and extremely personal decision, I thought about it constantly for many years and will def continue to write about it! Cheering for you and thanks for reading!! x
Thanks, Emily. 😃 To be clear: I have two children & a full-time job which I love (and a Substack!) but my idea for a novel is always percolating in my mind. ☕️
Hi there Emily! I needed this today - not the shiny version, but the behind-the-scenes grit and grace of it. I recently launched my own Substack from a 1647 house in rural France (ducks, dust, bureaucracy included), and some days I feel like I’ve poured my whole self into a post only for it to land like a baguette in a puddle. Reading this reminded me that the mess is the magic. Subscribed immediately. Thanks and I’ll look forward to reading more!
Loved this!! 💘 10 years for me from the time that I finished my first draft to getting my novel published by an independent press. And the friends you meet along the way are huge.
Thank you for sharing all of this Emily. It truly is inspiring for those of us still on the solitary, doubt-filled path of writing and submitting. Congratulations on your hard-earned success!
Thank you for this. What I find completely amazing is the how the notion of ‘don’t give up’ is utterly turned on its head. I have had to ‘not give up’ approximately one billion times over the years of writing my book. 😂😂
I’m now seeking an agent for The Writer of Eulogies and as a matter of fact an agent in NY has my book, said she would LOVE to read it and that was in July. 🙃🙃
Serious congrats are in order for you. I appreciate this post because it honestly gives me hope. 100 rejections is breathtaking.
This 👏 entire 👏 post 👏 Emily, brava for following your own path and trusting in the journey (even when the future feels unclear). Such great advice and inspiration for writers in all stages of their life/career <3
Congrats, Emily! I am currently working on a novel — trying desperately to squeeze it in between working and parenting — and it’s tough. Reading your experience was equal parts sobering and encouraging, but ultimately left me feeling super motivated to keep finding time to write in the margins of my days. Thank you for this gift. I just ordered a copy of Nothing Serious. I can’t wait to dive in!
Aw yay, thank you so much for reading and for getting a copy!! It's so hard and can't imagine adding parenting to the mix! All we can do is keep going, rooting for you!! <3
Thanks for sharing this... I'm on a similar road. But I've made different choices! (the husband and kid. Plus four-legged dependants.) Your story is inspirational and cautionary at the same time. I've just finished my first book and it is on sub (I was lucky to find an agent out of the gate.)
I am three-quarters of the way through your book, and I’m reluctant to finish it—I don’t want it to end! I cover many similar issues in my memoir, which I chose to self publish because I’m more than a bit older than you and couldn’t imagine waiting through the query process. I’d actually love to send you a copy of my memoir. (The weird irony of this message is not lost on me, lol.)
Emily! I’m so glad I found my way to your post this morning—a balm as I wait for edits on my first draft to come in. 🫠 I wish I could’ve saluted you while you were in the middle of your own journey and let you know how brave and badass you are. But I think those descriptors still count!
Warmly wishing you tons of creative joy!
Ahh congrats on being done with first draft!! Thank you so much for reading and for the kind words, wishing you the same back!!
This was beautiful said and refreshing to read. Thank you for your vulnerability!
Thank you so much for reading!
What a lovely, inspiring post x
So proud of you! 🌟 I struggle with being truly vulnerable and unsure whether I could forgo having children (which you could still do if you wish) or quit a full-time job in order to live my dream of writing & publishing a novel. 📖 But, you did it! Your long-term dedication paid off! 👏
Oh my gosh, such a hard and extremely personal decision, I thought about it constantly for many years and will def continue to write about it! Cheering for you and thanks for reading!! x
Thanks, Emily. 😃 To be clear: I have two children & a full-time job which I love (and a Substack!) but my idea for a novel is always percolating in my mind. ☕️
ahh ha ok yesss, well I hope it comes to fruition! :) ❤️
Hi there Emily! I needed this today - not the shiny version, but the behind-the-scenes grit and grace of it. I recently launched my own Substack from a 1647 house in rural France (ducks, dust, bureaucracy included), and some days I feel like I’ve poured my whole self into a post only for it to land like a baguette in a puddle. Reading this reminded me that the mess is the magic. Subscribed immediately. Thanks and I’ll look forward to reading more!
Aw Jenny, yes! Congrats on the substack and I completely relate ha! Keep going :)
Thanks so much!
As someone who is getting ready to query again, I really needed this! Thank you for sharing, and I can't wait to read your book!
Thank you so much! And good luck querying!! x
It is all so extremely relatable. Congrats to you again! Each time I see your book (online or out in the wild), I cheer!
Aww thank you sooo much Penny!! Cannot wait for yours!
I needed this post. Thank you Emily.
Loved this!! 💘 10 years for me from the time that I finished my first draft to getting my novel published by an independent press. And the friends you meet along the way are huge.
Yesss! The friends are everything! Congrats!!
Thank you for sharing all of this Emily. It truly is inspiring for those of us still on the solitary, doubt-filled path of writing and submitting. Congratulations on your hard-earned success!
Thank you so much! Best of luck and keep going! xx
Thank you for this. What I find completely amazing is the how the notion of ‘don’t give up’ is utterly turned on its head. I have had to ‘not give up’ approximately one billion times over the years of writing my book. 😂😂
I’m now seeking an agent for The Writer of Eulogies and as a matter of fact an agent in NY has my book, said she would LOVE to read it and that was in July. 🙃🙃
Serious congrats are in order for you. I appreciate this post because it honestly gives me hope. 100 rejections is breathtaking.
“And yet she persisted.” 💥💥💥
Oh wow!! Good luck, I'm rooting for you!! And thank you so much for reading!!
Thank you. And good luck to you with your next book!
These stories are always so emotional to read. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
This 👏 entire 👏 post 👏 Emily, brava for following your own path and trusting in the journey (even when the future feels unclear). Such great advice and inspiration for writers in all stages of their life/career <3
Aww thank you so much Ruthie!! That means a lot ❤️❤️
Congrats, Emily! I am currently working on a novel — trying desperately to squeeze it in between working and parenting — and it’s tough. Reading your experience was equal parts sobering and encouraging, but ultimately left me feeling super motivated to keep finding time to write in the margins of my days. Thank you for this gift. I just ordered a copy of Nothing Serious. I can’t wait to dive in!
Aw yay, thank you so much for reading and for getting a copy!! It's so hard and can't imagine adding parenting to the mix! All we can do is keep going, rooting for you!! <3
Thanks for sharing this... I'm on a similar road. But I've made different choices! (the husband and kid. Plus four-legged dependants.) Your story is inspirational and cautionary at the same time. I've just finished my first book and it is on sub (I was lucky to find an agent out of the gate.)
Congrats and good luck on sub!! Thank you for reading!
I am three-quarters of the way through your book, and I’m reluctant to finish it—I don’t want it to end! I cover many similar issues in my memoir, which I chose to self publish because I’m more than a bit older than you and couldn’t imagine waiting through the query process. I’d actually love to send you a copy of my memoir. (The weird irony of this message is not lost on me, lol.)
Aww that's so nice - thank you!! Congrats on memoir, would love to read! (if you send me a DM on substack i can share contact info)