My journey as an author

Turning dreams into reality

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Miriam Ali

1/23/20253 min read

photo of white staircase
photo of white staircase

My Journey as an Author: Turning Dreams into Reality

Becoming an author has always been a dream of mine, but like most dreams, it didn’t come easy. Writing my first novel was a journey filled with excitement, doubt, determination, and endless cups of coffee. Today, I want to share that journey with you—the ups, the downs, and everything in between.

The Spark of Inspiration

Every story begins somewhere, and mine started with a simple idea that wouldn’t leave my mind. I’ve always been fascinated by the power of storytelling, the way a good book can transport you to another world or make you see your own in a new light. For years, I kept my ideas tucked away, thinking, Maybe one day I’ll write a book.

ā€œOne dayā€ came sooner than expected when I found myself at a point where I just couldn’t ignore the pull anymore. I started jotting down notes, sketching characters, and imagining scenes. Little by little, my story began to take shape.

Overcoming Doubts

As exciting as it was to start writing, doubt often crept in. Will anyone want to read this? Am I good enough to be an author? These questions were my constant companions, but I learned to push through them. I reminded myself that every author starts somewhere, and the only way to get better was to keep going.

What helped me the most was focusing on why I was writing. My goal wasn’t just to publish a book but to share a story that could inspire or resonate with others. That’s what kept me going on days when the words wouldn’t flow.

The Writing Process

I won’t lie—writing my first novel was hard work. There were late nights, rewrites, and moments of frustration when a scene didn’t come out the way I envisioned. But there were also moments of pure joy: finishing a chapter, creating a character I loved, or reading a passage back and thinking, This is exactly how I wanted it to feel.

One thing I learned early on is that writing a novel isn’t a solo endeavor. I leaned on my friends and family, who graciously read drafts and offered feedback. Their encouragement was invaluable, and their critiques made the story stronger.

Balancing Fiction and Real Life

My novel is a mix of fiction and nonfiction, which added another layer of complexity. Some scenes were inspired by real-life events, and others were entirely made up. Balancing the two was tricky, especially when it came to protecting my privacy and the privacy of others. I made a conscious effort to change details and add fictional elements to ensure the story felt universal rather than personal.

Even with these changes, I found that readers often saw pieces of me in the story. At first, this made me feel vulnerable, but I’ve come to embrace it. Writing is, after all, about sharing a part of yourself with the world.

Choosing to Publish

Deciding to publish my novel was one of the hardest and most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. It meant putting my work—and a piece of myself—out there for others to see. I chose to publish under my company, Muphoria LLC, which allowed me to have full creative control and establish my brand as an author.

The publishing process was a steep learning curve, from formatting the manuscript to designing the cover and marketing the book. But every step was a chance to learn and grow, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

Lessons Learned

If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that writing a novel is as much about perseverance as it is about creativity. It’s about showing up every day, even when it’s hard, and believing in your story. It’s about being open to feedback, embracing vulnerability, and taking the leap to share your work with the world.

Looking Ahead

Now that my first novel is out in the world, I’m more excited than ever to keep writing. There are so many stories I want to tell and so much I still want to learn as an author. This is just the beginning of my journey, and I’m thrilled to have you along for the ride.

To all the aspiring writers out there: don’t wait for the perfect moment to start. Take that first step today. Your story matters, and the world is waiting to hear it.

Thank you for reading and supporting my journey as an author. I can’t wait to share more with you in the future!