Agony and ecstasy: a day in the life of an author

Have you ever felt the agony of the creative process?

Or the struggle of trying to breakthrough a big idea?

You’re not alone.

Come, take a peek inside the life of an author…

I want to bring you inside my home, and my process, as I write the latest revision of my book, Fascinate.

This is what it’s like to finally breakthrough the agony:

Every creative process involves agony, ecstasy, and a breakthrough.

Even best-selling authors who’ve written volumes of literature still experience the same emotional rollercoaster that you experience, when you undertake creative work of any kind.

In this video, you get a glimpse into what my writing process looks like. You’ll get to see the most agonizing part of writing a book, and you’ll discover ways to breakthrough to the ecstasy. As you watch, take note of the similarities and differences to your own process.

Then, write down the following:

  • Your overarching, big idea: What is it that you are trying to communicate?
  • Your “why”: Why should anyone care about this idea? What will they get out of learning it, applying it, or sharing it with others?
  • The “how”: How will your audience apply your idea? How will they share it with others?

The creative process isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Allow this peek into my process help you breakthrough your own.

TWEETABLE BITS:

A day in the life of an author » via @SallyHogshead (Tweet this!)

Deadlines + RedBull = Writing Bliss » via @SallyHogshead (Tweet this!)

Agony and ecstasy are just part of the process » via @SallyHogshead (Tweet this!)

TELL US IN THE COMMENTS: 

What’s your creative process like? Do you keep little notes to yourself all over the office? Does your team help you out when you’re feeling stuck.

Don’t miss a single fascinating tip!

Sign up to receive updates on our latest blog posts, offers, and more.

Blog post email and popup form

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

About the author

Sally Hogshead

Sally skyrocketed to the top of the advertising world in her early 20s, fascinating millions of consumers for clients such as MINI Cooper and Coca-Cola. Since then, she’s published two New York Times bestsellers on the science of fascination, and is one of only 172 living members in the Speaker Hall of Fame. Over a million professionals have taken the Fascination Advantage® personality test to discover how others perceive their communication.

Recent Posts
Are you motivated by enthusiasm and praise?  Or are you motivated by the threat of negative consequences? In other words… carrot, or stick?   (Me, I’m a carrot person.) People respond in very individual ways to...

The greatest gift you can give is to show someone else their highest value. Up to now, we’ve been looking at you, and your own highest distinct value. Now, let’s look at the people around...

The Fascination Archetypes in The Holiday - A collage featuring character traits and scenes from the movie, including Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black.
An international house swap over the holidays, unlikely romances, a heartwarming friendship with a wise neighbor, and so much more! It’s The Holiday—the coziest, most feel-good Christmas movie that somehow makes personal growth look as...

Colorful gift boxes arranged on a white wooden background with text that reads 'The 2024 Fascinating Holiday Gift Guide.'
Holiday shopping can be stressful.  Finding the perfect gift for someone who seems to have it all?  Even harder. But what if you could shop based on their personality—giving a gift that celebrates their distinct...

We all know the story: Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, who guide him through a journey of transformation. But what if these Ghosts came to...

Related Posts

You’ve probably seen that bright green album cover everywhere by now. Maybe you’ve heard your kids blasting the tracks, or you’ve had the song “360” on repeat the entire summer because, let’s be real, it’s...

Crafting messages that captivate and engage doesn’t have to be complicated. When you understand your primary Fascination Advantage, you can tailor your communication to reflect your natural abilities. Each Advantage offers a unique approach to...

Send this to a friend