Five Lessons I’ve Learned While Writing This Novel

Writing Operation Morning Glory has been quite a journey. I thought I knew where the story was going when I began, but—as often happens in life and writing—I encountered a few surprises along the way. Here are five lessons I’ve learned while writing this novel.

1. Writing Requires Patience

I like to accomplish things quickly. However, writing a novel cannot be rushed. Some scenes come together easily, while others must be rewritten several times before they feel right.

I’ve learned to slow down, think through each scene, and give the story time to develop. Finishing a book is important, but producing the best book I can is even more important.

2. Research Makes a Story Believable

Because my main character is the President of the United States, I’ve had to research subjects I knew little about. I’ve studied Secret Service procedures, Air Force One, military aircraft, weapons, government bunkers, and presidential protocol.

Although Operation Morning Glory is fiction, I want the realistic portions of the story to be accurate. Readers may forgive an imaginary bunker, but they will notice when familiar facts are wrong. Research takes time, but it adds credibility and helps bring the story to life.

3. Characters Sometimes Have Minds of Their Own

A writer may create the characters, but the characters do not always cooperate with the original plan. Sometimes one of them says or does something I did not expect. A minor character may become more important, or a new character may appear because the story needs that person.

President Maggie Culbertson has certainly surprised me. She is courageous, determined, humorous, and guided by her faith. At times, I feel as though I’m following Maggie through the story instead of leading her.

4. Editing Is an Important Part of Writing

Writing “The End” does not mean the work is finished. Editing is more than correcting spelling and punctuation. It also means checking the timeline, removing repeated words, strengthening dialogue, maintaining a consistent point of view, and making certain the characters behave consistently.

Editing can be slow and sometimes frustrating, but every careful revision makes the story stronger. I’m learning that good writing is often rewritten writing.

5. Faith and Perseverance Keep Me Going

There have been times when I felt tired, discouraged, or unsure about a scene. Sometimes I wondered whether I would ever finish this book. But I kept going—one paragraph, one page, and one chapter at a time.

Prayer has also been an important part of this journey. I want the story to entertain readers, but I also want it to reflect courage, hope, faith, and the truth that God is with us even during frightening and uncertain times.

Writing this novel has taught me much more than how to tell a story. It has taught me patience, discipline, perseverance, and trust. I’m still learning, still editing, and still following Maggie on her adventure.

I look forward to sharing Operation Morning Glory with you.  

Blessings,

Kathy Cretsinger, Author