Three years ago, I began writing Finding Joy. The title evolved into Finding Joy in the West, A Quest to Ride my Bike in all Fifty States. At the beginning, I was so naïve I thought my first draft, which took me six months to write, would need a little editing and my masterpiece would soon be on its way to becoming a best seller. I laughed at myself. Then three more times over the next two years, I thought I was finished. Still so naïve. Now, thirteen drafts later, I’d like to share what I’ve learned from Finding Joy. 

Lesson 1: Patience is a skill developed only by testing it

By nature, I’m not a patient person. I get frustrated easily. Writing takes me longer than I think it should. The editing process took more back and forth with my editor than a tennis match. The book cover and the page layout required more decisions than planning a wedding (not that I would know about planning a wedding, but I can imagine it’s a lot). Working on Finding Joy for two years longer than I planned challenged my patience to the core.

But the knowledge, endurance, and patience I gained from completing Finding Joy in the West will carry me through Finding Joy in the East and beyond. So, estimate the time you think it will take to complete a project, block out one third of that time in your schedule, and you will get a lesson in patience. Or, double or triple your guestimate and deprive yourself of a good lesson.

Lesson 2: The road is not always smooth and straight

 Jon Acuff says he writes a book in about 600 hours. Knowing I am a novice, I guessed it would take me twice that long. According to my calculations if I wrote twenty to twenty-five hours a week, my book would be completed in one year. My calculations did not take life into consideration. While I waited for my editor to do her part, when family needed me, and when other projects had to be addressed, the writing got put on hold.

Blogging also cut into my book writing time. In addition, the 1200 hours, was merely a guess. How in the world could I know how much time it would take to complete something I have never done before? I hit 1200 hours somewhere around draft seven and lost track of the hours when later drafts required research and clarifications from people mentioned in my book. Now I know to plan for bumps and curves in the road. Assuming the road will always be smooth and straight is a good way to set yourself up for inevitable frustrations. So, know there will always be bumps in the road and plan for them.

Lesson 3: Support is essential

When those bumps and curves in the road caught me off guard, I never would have been able to stay on track without the support of family, friends, and mentors. Sometimes, just knowing people were cheering for me was enough to keep me focused. Other times, like when my manuscript came back from my editor with more red than the Canadian flag, I would call someone who would assure me it would all work out and that I had what it took to finish Finding Joy. They were always right. Support from loved ones is so essential that I would suggest not starting a project without it.

As I near the finish line of the marathon called Finding Joy in the West, I reflect on the lessons I have learned hoping my next marathon Finding Joy in the East, will be a bit easier for having completed my first. Having developed my patience muscles while understanding there will be challenges, and knowing I have a strong network of people who will support me, gives me the assurance that I have the strength to complete another book-writing marathon. The idea of writing a third and forth is daunting. Yet, I am still naïve enough to believe I will ride my bike in all fifty states and have the patience and endurance to write about completing my quest. I am living my dream. Whatever your dreams, I implore you to get out there and chase them. I want to hear your story of finding joy.

Thanks for being a part of this journey!

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Joy M. Walker