I've decided that there are two truly great stages of being a writer (with lots of less good/bad/odd ones in between and after) . . .

1. Before you start submitting your first book to agents, and there is just as much chance that the first agent you submit to will reply instantly with a hearty 'I LOVE THIS SEND THE FULL IMMEDIATELY' as there is that you'll get absolutely nowhere

Here, there is the same amount of possibility that you'll get to be 'that' writer who tells everyone 'I never expected it to all happen so fast' as you do of being the writer who says 'After a year, I decided this wasn't going to be the book'

2. When you have a publishing deal but your book isn't out yet and the only people who have read it are contracted in some way to love it (your agent/publisher/friends/family) here, you get the status of being an 'author' without most of the stress of it

At this stage, there is as much possibility that you'll sell amazingly, get great reviews, and reach the top of the charts as there is that you'll totally flop, no one will buy your book, and the ones that do will leave you terrible reviews.

There are LOADS of stages of being a writer that you will go back and forth through and it's really hard to not want to just straight to the next one. I'm trying to learn the enjoy the stage I'm at.

Oh, and definitely the best stage of writing a book is when it is merely a perfect idea that hasn't yet touched the page. I love the stage.