We all love a challenge, don’t we? They help you learn; help you grow; maybe even help you feel amazing when you achieve them? In the same way, writer’s love a challenge.

But do you always know what you’re letting yourself in for? They do say Be careful what you wish for! Does it matter? Or is it the challenge itself and what we learn that’s important?

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Be careful what you wish for

My writer’s challenge started in May with an opportunity. I met a mentor on a mission. Her name is Lucy and she’s a publisher, author and speaker. She’ on a mission to get more women to write and publish business books; a sector currently dominated by men.

And WIIFM? The opportunity to write a book, guided and supported by someone who knows what she’s talking about and is kind and fun.

I’ve wanted to write a book since I was 12. In that first draft, I aspired to put the world to rights, sorting out religion, education, politics, economics and goodness knows what else. My mum persuaded me to wait a few years until I had a bit more life experience to share. Nearly half a century later, I’m back on the case. This time the subject is public speaking. Marginally less ambitious perhaps. But still potentially life changing; a little more focused and something I know a little bit about!

So far, so good. I get my wish to write a book. But be careful what you wish for! Some very peculiar characters came to call.

The Obsessive – first writer’s challenge

My first writer’s challenge was a long visit from Obsessive Lyn. It reminded me of when I was young and new love came calling, it was typical to become obsessed with your new love interest to the exclusion of all else, even existing friends. Does that still happen? This time it was a manuscript! Invitations came. “Lyn, can you come and stay for a few days? Sorry, I can’t, it’s the book. How about lunch? I couldn’t possibly, the deadlines are far too tight. Toastmasters? No way, I have to keep writing!”

I was in a state of utter panic. The big picture of so much to do and so little time was overwhelming. I started printing off my calendar, broken down into hourly segments, for the week ahead. Then I populated it with hourly and daily goals and soon realised, there is time … just! I can do this. I stuck my calendar in bite-sized chunks to the front door so I could see it every time I moved around my flat.

Stressing like mad, I tried to be a good mentee and follow Lucy’s advice. Just write she kept saying. Get it out of your head and onto the page – no reviewing, no editing, just dumping! I tried, but Perfectionist Lyn wasn’t having any of it.

The Perfectionist – second writer’s challenge

Apparently, perfectionism happens when our brain hasn’t accepted that doing our best is enough. Imagine the havoc, writing away – no reviewing, no editing – with the Perfectionist screaming at me “This is rubbish. It doesn’t make sense. It’s full of typos!” Lucy assured me, there would be plenty of time for editing later. For now, she told me to keep writing and send my Perfectionist away to relax with a gin and tonic and leave me to do my best and be kind to myself instead of trying to be perfect.

The Impostor – third writer’s challenge

Somehow, I managed it and carried on writing. Then another little voice kicked off in my head. My third writer’s challenge, Impostor Lyn, had arrived. “Who do you think you are? You can’t write a book about speaking. What do you have to say to anyone?”

At this time, a friend gave me a lovely tip. Think of what you’ve achieved, she said. I made a big poster and stuck that to my front door too. I wrote on it everything that was going well with the book, with anything. And I began to believe that maybe I do have something to say that can be useful to other people.

Worthwhile challenges are hard. But don’t let your vulnerabilities stop you. I certainly don’t regret what I wished for. Hopefully, I’ll soon have a book, written by a woman. My friends are still talking to me. And I have three new friends – the reformed Obsessive Lyn, Perfectionist Lyn and Impostor Lyn. What a very peculiar summer!