The Things Writing a Book Taught Me About Myself

When I first decided to write a book, I imagined it would be a fun, free-flowing creative outlet. I had a story in my head, characters I was excited about, and plenty of ideas. I figured I would sit down, let the words come, and eventually end up with a book.

Well…sort of.

Writing Christmas Switch taught me that writing a book is many things, but “consistent” isn't necessarily one of them.

Some days, I had so many ideas that my fingers couldn't keep up with my brain. The words came easily, scenes unfolded, and I couldn't type fast enough. Other days, I would stare at a completely blank screen and wonder how I had ever managed to write a single sentence.

And then there were the days I would go back and read something I'd already written and decide I needed to change everything.

That was probably one of the biggest surprises of the entire process: the book was never really finished until it was finished. There was always another sentence to rethink, another scene to adjust, another idea that might make the story just a little better.

I Learned That Creativity Still Needs Structure

This was perhaps the funniest realization for me.

I've spent a good portion of my career helping businesses and leaders set goals, create action plans, track progress, and hold themselves accountable. I know how to create a project schedule. I know how to break a big goal into manageable pieces. I know that deadlines matter. And apparently, I needed to do all of those things for myself.

Writing a book sounds like a creative endeavor, and it absolutely is, but finishing one also requires discipline. There were plenty of days when I didn't feel particularly inspired. If I had waited until I felt like writing, editing, or re-reading, Christmas Switch might still be sitting somewhere on my computer.

Instead, I leaned into the part of myself I've used professionally for years: the planner, the goal-setter, and the person who likes a good deadline.

Having a project schedule and due dates made a huge difference. It gave me something concrete to work toward when the creative momentum wasn't there.

It turns out creativity and structure aren't opposites. Sometimes structure is what gives creativity a chance to actually make it to the finish line.

I Really Don't Like Marketing Myself

I loved writing the book.

I loved editing the book.

I loved working with industry professionals.

I loved meeting other authors, hearing their stories, and collaborating with people who understood what it was like to create something and put it out into the world.

But asking people to buy and read my book? The worst.

There is something very different about saying, “I wrote a book,” versus saying, “I wrote a book, and I'd really love for you to buy it and read it.”

The first feels exciting. The second feels incredibly vulnerable.

I'm comfortable talking about my work when the conversation is about helping someone else. Consulting, leadership, strategy, operations: I can talk about those things all day.

But promoting myself and asking someone to spend their money and time on something I created? That's a whole different ballgame.

Writing the book made me realize that putting yourself out there creatively requires a different kind of courage than I expected.

Seeing My Name on the Cover Was Everything

Of all the moments in this process, this one is probably the hardest to put into words.

Seeing my name on an actual book felt…giddy.

I haven't felt that kind of excitement in years. It was almost like being a child again and discovering something completely new for the first time.

There was something surreal about holding a physical book: I had written those words. I had created those characters. I had spent countless hours staring at that manuscript, questioning scenes, rewriting sentences, and wondering if I was actually going to finish it. And then suddenly, it was a book.

But perhaps even more meaningful was seeing my family's reaction. Watching my kids see the book for the first time and seeing how proud they were of me is a moment that will live rent-free in my mind forever.

What I'd Tell the Woman Who Started That First Manuscript

If I could sit down with the version of myself who started writing Christmas Switch, I'd tell her this:

"You may want to give up. You may feel defeated. You may wonder if you're actually capable of doing this. Don't."

And now for the part that makes me want to crawl under my desk: marketing. If you haven't read Christmas Switch, buy it, read it, tell your friends… Ugh. Cringe. The worst part.