There’s a lot you need to do to successfully write a good book.  One of the biggest challenges, especially for a first-time writer, is just to actually finish the darn story.  To get from the first chapter to the last chapter.  There are a lot of reasons why a writer might never get there.  And so there are a lot of ways to avoid and overcome those obstacles.

If you want to keep up your momentum and finish that story, (which of course you do) then you need to be your biggest fan.  Yes, even a bigger fan than your mom.  You have to be passionate about the story.  You have to fall in love with the characters.  You need to totally geek out all over yourself.  Love what you’re doing and believe in what you have to say.

Practically, what does this look like?  Drawing maps of your world, spending way too much time writing out character backstories, talking your friends’ ears off about your latest coolest plot twist.  I see you giggling over everything your character says, and getting really excited for the next chapter coming up, and knowing way more info about your world than is ever going to appear in the book.

So whatever you do, don’t make these things a chore.  Make them fun.  As good as it is to approach writing professionally and seriously, don’t get too serious.  I know writers who sit down and systematize everything; they say, ‘okay, first I fill out detailed profiles of my characters, then work out every little plot line, and then, ugh, I’ll make a map because I have to.’  Now some writers are more organized than others, and that’s okay, but please, let it stay fun.

Be your biggest fan.  Be totally in love with your work and that enthusiasm will soak into the work, and the reader will sense it.  And they’ll love it too.