​​If I had a dollar for each time someone says they are going to write a book, and then they don't, I would be rich. *Okay, not rich, but I’d have a ton of money, that's for sure*. 

We have all found ourselves submerged in such incredible books that inspired us to write our very own. But, unfortunately, an idea on its own is nothing if you can't put your heart and soul behind each word you write. 

**And it doesn't even end there.**

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Because, you see, in writing, there isn't really a formula for success. There is no way for you to know if your book is going to be good or not. No recipe to follow. Sure, there are a few <a href="https://steemit.com/writing/@agsttne/anatomy-of-a-best-seller">things</a> best sellers do have in common, but still, **every story is different** which means, you need to put some big ass effort to it.

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<center>Writing a book is more than sitting and writing the **actual** book</center>
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It's forcing yourself to sit long hours in front of a blank page, brainstorming and outlining plots, and subplots. *And subplots. And subplots*. It's creating a character you'll love, but you'll end up hating on the process development, only to like them again once you are done with your manuscript. 

It's writing somewhere between 50,000 words in your first draft only to realize you need 50,000 more, and you have no idea what else to add. It involves creating your first crappy draft, only to turn it into a *not-so-crappy* second draft, so you end up with an *okay-this-doesn't-suck* final draft.

And even then, there’s no clear sign that your story is perfect. You just need to have enough hope and confidence in your work to know when it's time to wrap it up and get your story ready for the world to see.

We as writers dream of writing one of those pieces that take your breath away whenever you drown yourself in its universe. And the feeling must be incredible, I'm sure of that, but you won't get there quickly. It's a long and arduous process. 

It's hard work​. And, let's be honest, *frightening as fuck*.

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​As I write this sentence, there are probably more books than actual people being born into the world, and many are being written from scratch in this exact second. But, unfortunately, only a few will succeed. 

That doesn't mean you shouldn't try to write your own.

The thing you need to keep in mind is that if you’ve finished your manuscript, *or you are half-way there*, you still deserve a fucking high-five because that's an accomplishment in itself. Even if it doesn't get published at all and never gets to rest on​ the shelves of a famous bookstore.

The fact that you believed in something and you stuck to, thick and thin, it's an act of perseverance and pure grit on its own. ​And if you have worked hard to make a dream come true, *especially one this hard*; ​then you are a, **without a doubt**, a complete badass.

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***Image Source**: <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/HUiSySuofY0">I</a>, <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/geM5lzDj4Iw">I</a>*