Getting the story out of the system

I sent my first finished book to a publisher when I was sixteen. The work wasn't done. It was full of cliches and packed with dragons, swords, strong girls, and all the things I loved (and still do).

The publisher declined, and thus my first trunk novel was born.

And quite a few more have joined it since then. The difference between my first trunk novel and the rest is that the latter were never queried. They were put away by choice.

Sometimes characters would pop up in my head while I was writing something I knew I would query, clear they didn't belong in the story. The problem was that these characters didn't want to leave, distracting me from getting anything on paper. After a while, I realized they wouldn't go peacefully, and I put their stories down on paper to get them out of my system, stopping them from tramping around inside my brain and slowing me from writing the next thing. Sure, it was time-consuming, but it was fun too. This process helped me develop my writing, pace, and style and helped me figure out what I loved writing about.

Those trunk novels weren't for anyone but me. They were tools and steps for me to become a stronger writer. I knew that when I wrote them, my writing progression became easier. The trunk novels also supported the thought that there aren't any wasted words since each word helps develop skills.

So, don't cringe at the notion of writing a story just to get it out of your system. It could be exactly what that next book of yours needs. And besides, that trunk isn't going anywhere.