When I started Merchant of Vision, I was brimming with ideas, excitement, and ambition. I had a sprawling story free and loose in my mind, characters I wanted to bring to life, and a universe I couldn’t wait to explore. But like any grand project, the reality of writing hit me hard: drafts that didn’t work, storylines that wandered, seems that could have gone six different ways and all of them seemed valid at the time, and the challenge of balancing a vast, ambitious setting, and detailing the narrative with coherent, engaging storytelling. I thought finishing that first book would be the hardest part. But it took so long to get there, almost 10 years of studying "how to" books by famous published authors.
And then came book two. I had to go into a different genre. Because working on straight Space Opera was like a soup covered in fog.
That's when I started Winter Zero, based on an image from an artist that I saw on "cover browsing" day.
Perseverance: Writing Through the Rough Days
If writing Merchant of Vision was about figuring out what kind of story I wanted to tell, writing my third book, Merchant of Fortune has been about testing my ability to stick with it. Sequels come with their own challenges. How do you expand the universe without losing the focus and charm of the original? How do you raise the stakes without falling into clichés? How do you stay motivated when the doubts creep in and the process feels endless?
The answer, I’ve learned, is simple but not easy: you just keep going.
Perseverance isn’t glamorous, but it’s what separates finished books from abandoned drafts. There were days when the words flowed effortlessly, and there were days when writing felt like pulling teeth. But every time I sat down, whether for 20 minutes or four hours, I reminded myself of why I’m doing this—because these stories matter to me, and I believe they’ll matter to others too.
Editing: The Real Work Begins
When I finished the first draft of Merchant of Vision, I thought the hard part was over. Little did I know, the real work was just beginning. Editing taught me to see my story through new eyes—those of my readers. It’s not just about tightening sentences or catching typos (though that’s important); it’s about asking hard questions.
Does this scene move the story forward?
Is this character’s motivation clear?
Have I earned this emotional moment?
Editing forces you to let go of your ego. I’ve had to cut scenes I loved because they didn’t serve the story. I’ve rewritten chapters that felt fine at first glance but needed deeper emotional stakes. And I’ve learned to embrace feedback—from editors, beta readers, and even my own instincts when something didn’t feel right. That's what spurred the rewrite of the ending of Merchant of Vision.
With Merchant of Fortune, I’ve carried these lessons forward. I’m approaching the draft with more clarity, knowing that everything doesn’t have to be perfect on the first try. But I also know more about what is needed and how to do it. What matters is getting the ideas down, building the framework, and trusting the process to refine it later.
Growth: Becoming a Better Writer
Looking back, I can see how much I’ve grown as a writer. With Merchant of Vision, I was finding my footing, learning how to navigate the complexities of world-building, character arcs, and pacing. With Merchant of Fortune, I feel more confident. I know my characters better. I understand the rhythm of storytelling. I’m not as afraid of making mistakes because I’ve seen how they can lead to breakthroughs.
But growth isn’t just about technical skills—it’s about trusting myself. Writing two books has taught me to listen to my intuition, to take risks, and to lean into the stories I want to tell, even if they don’t fit neatly into a genre box. It’s also taught me to have patience—with the process, with my work, and with myself.
The Joy of Creation
At the heart of it all, what keeps me going is the joy of creation. There’s something magical about watching a story take shape, about breathing life into characters and worlds that once existed only in your imagination. Every book is a journey, not just for the characters but for the writer. And every journey changes you.
Merchant of Vision challenged me to step into the role of an author. Merchant of Fortune is teaching me how to build on that foundation, to grow and evolve while staying true to the heart of the story.
Looking Ahead
As I move forward, I know there will be more challenges, more lessons, and more moments of doubt. But there will also be triumphs—small victories like nailing a scene or finding the perfect line of dialogue, and big ones like holding a finished book in my hands.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that writing isn’t a sprint—it’s a marathon. And while the finish line may feel far away, every step is worth it.
To anyone reading this who’s chasing their own creative dreams: keep going. Trust yourself, embrace the process, and remember why you started. The journey is hard, but it’s also beauiTful. And in the end, it’s what makes the story worth telling.
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