{"id":6174,"date":"2026-04-02T08:23:39","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T08:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/2025\/06\/10\/write-of-passage-how-to-let-go\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T08:23:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T08:23:39","slug":"write-of-passage-how-to-let-go","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/2026\/04\/02\/write-of-passage-how-to-let-go\/","title":{"rendered":"Write of Passage: How to Let Go"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--[if lt IE 9]><script>document.createElement('audio');<\/script><![endif]-->\n<audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-6174-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/api.substack.com\/feed\/podcast\/165607832\/a4a36a22cbbcb1c1bde423517d21171b.mp3?_=1\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/api.substack.com\/feed\/podcast\/165607832\/a4a36a22cbbcb1c1bde423517d21171b.mp3\">https:\/\/api.substack.com\/feed\/podcast\/165607832\/a4a36a22cbbcb1c1bde423517d21171b.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n<p><strong>Whenever I finish writing a manuscript, there\u2019s always this unexpected wave of sadness that hits me. It shouldn\u2019t be unexpected. This is like my 27th or 28th book.<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"vanes-2406123987\" class=\"vanes-content vanes-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 2px;margin-right: 2px;margin-bottom: 2px;margin-left: 2px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/fireswordandsea.htm\" aria-label=\"Fire Sword &amp; Sea\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?fit=1706%2C2560&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Fire Sword &amp; Sea\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?w=1706&ssl=1 1706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?resize=1365%2C2048&ssl=1 1365w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/FireSwordSea_HC-scaled.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" width=\"569\" height=\"853\"   \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p><strong>But yes. You heard me right\u2014sadness.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Because now I\u2019m done with these characters.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Characters I\u2019ve lived with for three, sometimes four months. Characters whose voices echoed in my head, who made me laugh, who made me cry, and made me question everything. And once I\u2019ve typed \u201cThe End,\u201d there\u2019s a sudden stillness. And in the silence, creep doubts:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cCould I\u2019ve done this better?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cWhat if I\u2019d added one more scene?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cDid I do them justice?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>But here\u2019s the truth\u2014<\/strong><strong><em>you need to let it sit<\/em><\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>You need space. You need time.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>You need to send it off to your editor, beta reader, or mother, and let someone else hold the story for a while, because you\u2019ve been holding it close for too long. And when it comes back\u2014marked with notes, questions, maybe even a few praises\u2014you\u2019ll be ready. You\u2019ll have distance. And perspective to guide you.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Still\u2026 I get a little sad. Because I\u2019ve grown attached.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>My brain still wants to write more scenes, dream up alternate endings, give side characters more airtime. But the book is done when it\u2019s done. There\u2019s no need to stretch a moment or linger more than necessary.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u2e3b<\/p>\n<p><strong>With <\/strong><strong><em>A Deal at Dawn<\/em><\/strong><strong>, I\u2019ve wrapped up the Betting Against the Duke series.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s been a journey.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/bettingduke.htm#sunset\"><strong><em>A Gamble at Sunset<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong> was Georgina\u2019s story\u2014a fake courtship that turned into something real, when she found her voice.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/bettingduke.htm#midnight\"><strong><em>A Wager at Midnight<\/em><\/strong><\/a><strong> followed Scarlet, a woman fighting for public health alongside a handsome doctor and the complicated Duke we come to love.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2022 But <\/strong><strong><em>A Deal at Dawn<\/em><\/strong><strong>\u2026 this one\u2019s different.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s a second chance romance, yes\u2014but one that deals with what happens when forgiveness feels impossible. When tomorrow isn\u2019t promised. It asks: <\/strong><strong><em>what does happily ever after look like when you\u2019re living with chronic, debilitating illness?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Maybe that\u2019s why this book lingered. Because it\u2019s heavy. It\u2019s real with my trademark foolishness thrown in.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>I want to be respectful of those finding themselves in this position. I want to tell a story that isn\u2019t often told in historical romance. A story about two people\u2014Jahleel and Katherine\u2014who\u2019ve made serious, tragic mistakes. Who are struggling. And yet\u2026 still worthy of love.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>It was hard to write.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>But I think you\u2019re going to feel every bit of it.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2e3b<\/p>\n<p><strong>Now that the manuscript is done, I ask myself:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>What comes next?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The summer months are my time to dig into the \u201cwish list\u201d projects. Those ideas that won\u2019t let go. Stories that whisper in the back of my mind. The ones I dream about while I\u2019m supposed to be sleeping. Between conferences, revisions, and promo\u2014it\u2019s my time to <\/strong><strong><em>play<\/em><\/strong><strong> again.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>But also\u2026 it\u2019s hard not to look around at the world and feel the weight of everything. We\u2019re pretty cooked.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>The news? Bleak.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Protests are erupting. People suffering from natural disasters are being ignored. Prices rise. Patience runs low.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s like we\u2019re all trapped in satan\u2019s pressure cooker. I don\u2019t want be chopped steak. I want off the menu. Please rewind the clock to a time when we were all filet mignon\u2014delectable, tender by nature, and expensive by choice.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>But I watched a reel the other day\u2014just a young woman speaking truth.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>She said:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cIf our ancestors survived war, enslavement, displacement, disease\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>If they survived laws written to break their spirits\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Then so can we.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And she\u2019s right. We <\/strong><strong><em>have<\/em><\/strong><strong> survived darker days.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>So I have faith that we\u2019re going to get our acts together.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>That somehow, everything will shake out.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>That it\u2019s going to be okay again.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>So take a deep breath with me\u2014<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Everything is going to be all right.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2e3b<\/p>\n<p><strong>But in the meantime, preserve your mental health.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Hold close the things and people you cherish.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And let yourself <\/strong><strong><em>rest<\/em><\/strong><strong>. You\u2019ve done a lot.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>You <\/strong><strong><em>are<\/em><\/strong><strong> doing a lot.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And then\u2014when you\u2019re ready\u2014start asking:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>What\u2019s next?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>What project is going to consume you for the next three or four months?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Which story or idea wakes you wake up early?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>What is it that keeps tugging at your thoughts like a child in want of attention. It needs nurturing.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>It needs your love to be poured in to it. lt cries out for your energy, and clutches at your <\/strong><strong><em>heart<\/em><\/strong><strong> until it\u2019s finally complete.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>That\u2019s where I\u2019m headed.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>That\u2019s what I\u2019m looking for right now.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Even while revising, promoting, preparing for launch days\u2014I\u2019m dreaming of that next passion.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And speaking of what\u2019s next\u2014I\u2019ve been talking a lot about <\/strong><strong><em>Fire Sword and Sea<\/em><\/strong><strong>. We\u2019re getting closer to a cover reveal, and I can\u2019t wait for you to see how that story\u2019s shaped up . It\u2019s going to be a wild <\/strong><strong><em>ride<\/em><\/strong><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>\u2e3b<\/p>\n<p><strong>So, I\u2019ll leave you with this:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Don\u2019t give up.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Find that passion.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Let it move you, stretch you, <\/strong><strong><em>heal<\/em><\/strong><strong> you.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>And when it shows up? Let it consume you\u2014in the best possible ways.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Books to help us let go are:<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/p\/books\/still-writing-the-perils-and-pleasures-of-a-creative-life-10th-anniversary-edition-dani-shapiro\/18539657?ean=9780802162298&#038;next=t\"><strong><em>Still Writing: The Perils and Pleasures of a Creative Life <\/em><\/strong><\/a>by Dani Shapiro. It\u2019s a deeply personal meditation on writing, grief, self-doubt, and creative renewal.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/p\/books\/bird-by-bird-some-instructions-on-writing-and-life-anne-lamott\/8649952?ean=9780385480017&#038;next=t\"><strong><em>Bird by Bird<\/em><\/strong><\/a> by Anne Lamott. This is a classic that embraces imperfection, persistence, and yes, the sadness and relief of finishing a project.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Ordinary Notes<\/em><\/strong> by Christina Sharpe is not a traditional writing craft book, but it\u2019s deeply reflective, exploring memory, loss, Black life, and the power of language. It\u2019s perfect for writers processing the emotional weight of finishing something.<\/p>\n<p><strong>This week, I&#8217;m highlighting <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/detroitbookcity.store\/\"><strong>Detroit Book City<\/strong><\/a><strong> through their website and <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/shop\/detroitbookcity\"><strong>Bookshop.org<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Help me build momentum for <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/fireswordandsea.htm\">Fire Sword and Sea<\/a>\u2014spread the word and preorder this disruptive narrative about female pirates in the 1600s. This sweeping saga releases January 13, 2026. The link on my website shows retailers large and small who have set up preorder.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Show notes include a list of the books mentioned in this broadcast.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>You can find my notes on Substack or on my website, <\/strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vanessariley.com\/\"><strong>VanessaRiley.com<\/strong><\/a><strong> under the podcast link in the About tab.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Enjoying the vibe? Go ahead and like this episode and subscribe to <\/strong><strong><em>Write of Passage<\/em><\/strong><strong> so you never miss a moment.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Thank you for listening. Hopefully, you\u2019ll come again. This is Vanessa Riley.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This is a public episode. If you&#8217;d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/vanessariley.substack.com\/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&#038;utm_campaign=CTA_2\">vanessariley.substack.com\/subscribe<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"rop\"><small>Originally posted 2025-06-10 13:10:00. <\/small><\/p><div id=\"vanes-1438792435\" class=\"vanes-after-content vanes-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 3px;margin-right: 3px;margin-bottom: 3px;margin-left: 3px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?fit=1080%2C1350&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Listen to the Write of Passage Weekly Podcast\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?w=1080&ssl=1 1080w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=240%2C300&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=819%2C1024&ssl=1 819w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SubstackAd.png?resize=768%2C960&ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" width=\"540\" height=\"675\"   \/><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whenever I finish writing a manuscript, there\u2019s always this unexpected wave of sadness that hits me. It shouldn\u2019t be unexpected. This is like my 27th or 28th book. But yes. You heard me right\u2014sadness. Because now I\u2019m done with these characters. Characters I\u2019ve lived with for three, sometimes four months. Characters whose voices echoed in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6205,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[81,793,9,620,756,694],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personal-stories","category-politics","category-recommended-reading","category-syndication","category-technology","category-tv-and-film"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/e9ee2a7acd6c9a24749b9d5ea71398e6-scaled.jpg?fit=1920%2C2560&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6174","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6174"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6174\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6205"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vanessariley.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}