I just wrapped up the draft of my second book. And let me tell you… it did not go where I thought it would.
When I first outlined this book, I had a plan — neat, detailed, logical. I knew the themes I wanted to explore, the arcs each character would travel, and the questions I hoped to answer. But as I started writing, the story decided it had other ideas. Characters grew in directions I didn’t expect. New layers and connections appeared. Themes I hadn’t planned started weaving themselves into the narrative like uninvited guests who somehow made the party better.
Now that I’ve reached the end, I’m sitting here with a manuscript I really do love. The story feels alive and surprising. But at the same time, I’m asking myself: Does this still fit the original vision? Did I wander too far? Or did I actually end up exactly where I was meant to go?
It’s a strange feeling — to love what you’ve created and also wonder if it works. That tension is part of the creative process, though. Sometimes the best stories come from letting go of the map and trusting the journey, even if it looks nothing like you imagined when you set out.
Right now, I’ve passed the draft on to a trusted reader. I need a fresh set of eyes to help me see what I might be missing, to confirm what works, and to gently point out what doesn’t. It’s vulnerable to hand over something so raw, but it’s also necessary. Writing can feel like a lonely road, but it’s the voices of honest readers that help us find the best version of the story.
If you’re a writer (or any kind of creator), maybe you know this feeling. You start with a plan, only to discover that the plan isn’t the final authority — the story is.
And sometimes, the detour is the point.
Have you ever set out with a clear plan only to end up somewhere completely unexpected? Did you find something better along the way, or are you still figuring out if the new path was the right one?
Wherever you are in your own journey — creative, personal, or otherwise — I hope you find the courage to explore those unexpected turns. You never know what beautiful surprises might be waiting there.