Writing isn’t a project. It’s a tapestry.
We’re continuing the conversation from last week, where we talked about what it really means to treat your writing like a business.
This week, we’re going deeper, because the way most people approach this?
It’s keeping them stuck.
Let’s fix that.
The biggest mindset trap writers fall into—and how to escape it.
If you’re like most writers, you’ve probably approached your book something like this:
First, have an idea for a really cool story.
Next, figure out how to write that story.
(Sometimes this takes years.)Rewrite. Hate the story. Rewrite. Quit. Rewrite. Hate hate hate.
Then, figure out how to publish it.
Question your entire life.
After that, try to market it.
Consider starting a career as a lawn mower.
(And at least six places in there… panic.)
You take it one step at a time.
You learn as you go.
You treat each phase like its own standalone project.
And to be fair, that’s how most of us were trained to think. Especially if you’ve spent most of your life working for someone else.
You’re handed assignments. You follow directions. You check boxes.
There are clear beginnings, middles, and ends.
But here’s the truth no one tells you:
Writing and publishing a book isn’t a project. It’s a business. And business isn’t linear—it’s layered.
If you want your book to make an impact—not just get done—you have to think differently from the start.
Writing as a Tapestry
Writing. Publishing. Marketing.
They’re not steps.
They’re threads—woven together into something much bigger than any one part.
When you treat them like disconnected tasks, a few things happen:
You write a book that’s hard to market
You publish without a plan
You launch into silence and wonder what went wrong
But when you think like a creative business owner—when you see the big picture from the start—everything shifts:
You write with your readers in mind
You build your platform while you’re writing
You publish with purpose
You launch with confidence
It’s not about hustling harder.
It’s about zooming out and weaving the whole vision together.
So what does treating your writing like a business actually look like?
🧠 You stop waiting for permission.
You don’t need to be “ready.” You need to be willing.
📅 You stop thinking in projects. You start thinking in systems.
You create structures that support you long-term—not just for one draft.
💬 You stop hiding behind perfection. You start connecting.
You don’t have to be everywhere. But you do have to be visible.
📦 You stop aiming for perfect. You aim for done.
Because publishing is not a test. It’s a launch.
Here’s the big takeaway I want you to walk away with:
You’re not just writing words. You’re building something that lasts.
A book isn’t a task on your to-do list.
It’s a message, a mission, and a tool for connection, impact, and legacy.
So let’s stop treating it like a one-time event.
Let’s treat it like the real business it is.
Next week, I’ll share some of my strongest beliefs about writing, publishing, and owning your identity as a writer.
No fluff. No formulas. Just real talk from the trenches.
You’re doing more than you think.
Hello!
My name is Jocelyn.
Story warrior, book lover, day dreamer, gardener, and creative. I help serious writers roll up their sleeves, get their novel ready for publishing, and reach readers. When I’m not elbow-deep in the story trenches, I’m outside world-building in my garden and battling weeds with my three criminal mastermind cats.
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