Carving Your Own Path as a Writer: Why Not All Author Advice Fits You

Carving Your Own Path as a Writer

If you're an aspiring author, you've probably heard more advice than you know what to do with:

✔️ Write every day.
✔️ Wake up at 5 AM.
✔️ Get an agent first.
✔️ Don’t get an agent.
✔️ Indie publish.
✔️ Traditional publish.

The list goes on.

And here’s the truth no one tells you loudly enough: Not all advice is meant for you.

When I was still what I like to call a baby author—early in my journey, full of hope, nerves, and rough drafts—I had the opportunity to meet a very famous, incredibly accomplished author. Someone whose books I had admired for years. Naturally, I hung onto every word, hoping for that magical nugget of wisdom that would unlock success.

During our conversation, she asked if I had children. I told her I had three. Her response surprised me. She told me I had talent, but if I wanted to succeed, I needed to hand off my parenting responsibilities to someone else so I could focus entirely on my work. And then she said something I’ll never forget:

"Someone else can make your kids mac and cheese."

At that moment, I smiled politely—but inside, I knew that wasn’t the right advice for me. Could I have listened? Sure. Could I have poured every spare moment into my career, even at the expense of my family? Possibly. But I knew, deep down, that wouldn’t make me proud—not as a writer, and not as a person.

Fast forward to today. I’ve published eight books, plus an omnibus edition of my completed fantasy romance series, Vale Born. I’ve grown as an author while staying present for my kids and nurturing the relationships that matter most to me. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been authentic to who I am.

The truth is, there’s no single roadmap to becoming an author. There are as many paths as there are writers. Advice from successful authors can be valuable—but only if it fits the life you want to live. At the end of the day, no one else is living your life, raising your family, or writing your stories. That’s on you.

My Best Advice for Aspiring Authors:

✔️ Take what serves you.
✔️ Leave the rest.
✔️ Carve your own path.
✔️ Write at your own pace.
✔️ Measure success by your own standards.

Your work—and your life—will reflect the authenticity of that choice.

Author Bio

Lorin Petrazilka is the author of eight books, including the completed fantasy romance series, Vale Born. When she’s not writing, she’s wrangling her three kids, building fictional worlds, and encouraging other writers to forge their own creative path.