Remember that feeling? The one where an idea just hits you? For my first couple of childrens’ books, that’s exactly what happened. Bam! One sunny afternoon, while the kids were busy being kids, a whole story just poured out of me – fingers flying across my notebook and all. Book two? Same thing. I was on a roll, convinced I’d cracked the code, found my writing superpower!

Then came book number four.

Komtu, the Grumpy Chameleon. Sigh. That little guy took me a whopping three years to wrestle onto the page.

Three. Whole. Years.

At first, I was totally bewildered. What was wrong with me? Why the epic slowdown? I’d start writing, get stuck, try a different angle, scrap it, start again. Honestly, I abandoned Komtu more times than I care to admit. But you know what? That stubborn little chameleon just kept popping back into my head, like that one catchy song you can’t shake. He just refused to stay forgotten.

Eventually, it dawned on me: there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the creative process. Every story has its own rhythm, and every writer works differently. There’s no ticking clock in the world of storytelling. Sometimes the ideas flood in like a waterfall after a storm, and other times they just… trickle. Slowly. Like those gentle raindrops that eventually fill a puddle.

And honestly, there are a ton of reasons why a story might take the scenic route:

The sheer complexity of the idea. Some stories are like intricate puzzles, full of layers and emotions, and they just need more time to be pieced together thoughtfully.

Good old writer’s block. Yep, it’s a real thing, and it can be incredibly frustrating. It’s like your brain just put up a “Do Not Disturb” sign.

Life. Just… life. You know how it is. Family, work, your own well-being – it all plays a part and can pull you in different directions.

That sneaky voice of self-doubt. The one that whispers, “Is this even any good?” It can really put the brakes on your progress.

The quest for perfection. That urge to make every single sentence perfect. It can stretch a one-day project into something much, much longer.

And you know what the best part is? That’s completely okay.

So, if you’re a young writer just starting out, or even if you’ve been at it for a while, please remember this: there’s no “right” way or “right” time. Whether your story bursts onto the page in a day or simmers for a decade, the most important thing is that you tell it. Some stories need time to breathe and develop. Some characters need to reveal themselves slowly. And some messages need to be carefully crafted before they’re ready to be shared with the world.

The truth is, it’s not about how fast you write – it’s about how deeply your story connects.

So take your time. Write with passion. And see it through to the end.

Your story matters.