Not so much people, not so much.

I’ve written more than one book, but Victor was my second fiction book. That seemed to make a difference.

Victor was SO much harder to write than Keepers. I’ve heard that ‘second-book-syndrome’ is a real thing. I mean, I’m not a debut author anymore, but likewise, I’m not a seasoned pro yet either. In true YA fashion, imma go right ahead and think of myself as a sophomore!

It meant that starting this book, I knew how the process of writing and editing would work, I knew the graft would be hard grueling and yet, I had the delightful bonus pressure of ensuring Victor was as good as (although preferably better) than Keepers.

But of course, I’m only a sophomore, so the ‘process’ I’d so arrogantly predicted I’d use, didn’t go anything like to plan. My beautiful, glorious ‘plan’ got hoovered into a freaking hurricane of doubt, pressure, and paralysis.

I wrote Keepers in a chronological order. I’d assumed Victor would go the same way. Victor wasn’t playing ball. Knowing the character, I should have expected trouble. He’s a right bastard that one.

Anyway.

Book two means more. MORE everything.

I needed to make sure the characters were consistent, I picked up all the storylines, the world building details weren’t cocked up by a slip of my perpetually senile memory. And all while, I was trying to develop and grow my writing craft.

I’ll be honest, Mt Everest felt like a walk in the park compared to this book, and I should know, I’ve trekked to base camp. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t sure I could reach my goal. I haven’t talked about this anywhere really, but it’s launch day, so I clearly defeated the beast, which is why I feel comfortable sharing this with you.

I stalled partway through writing Victor.

And we’re not talking a minor stumble and oops-a-daisy. We’re talking titana-berg levels of sinking fuck up.

In five years, I haven’t gone more than a couple of (a few at most) days without penning words. But smack in the middle of writing Victor I knew something was wrong with the story, and I car crashed HARD. For THREE excruciatingly long weeks. I thought I’d never write again. No words were coming to me. My mind was a literal black hole and Victor had bumbled his difficult ass right into it. I convinced myself I was a one-hit wonder.

But then my amazing beta reader made a comment about one particular location in the book, and BOOM. I immediately knew what was wrong and how to fix it. I tore up the opening chapters and rewrote them, from scratch. After that, it was a sprint to the finish.

Why am I sharing this?

Because I think it’s important to be real. To share not just the highs but the blisteringly painful obstacles we face on our roads. Life IS a journey and no journey is a straight road. Too often I forget that the beauty is in the journey itself. Once you reach your goal it’s all over.

I’m also sharing this because if anything, I’m even MORE proud of publishing Victor than Keepers. Yes, it was harder, but that’s made the completion all the sweeter.

Last, I’m sharing this because if it inspires just one person to keep going when their goal gets tough, then it was worth writing. Remember, only the persistent win. Just keep typing.

The post Victor Launch Day – Plus a dose of Second Book Syndrome appeared first on Sacha Black.