Write for yourself first 🫵
Today's guest is author Daniel Aleman.
In publishing, every milestone is just another starting line.
Many writers begin their journey believing there’s a finish line. That once they land an agent, or sign a book deal, or see their novel hit the shelves, they’ll have finally made it. But the truth is, publishing rarely offers a single defining moment of success — there’s always another goal to chase.
It’s an ongoing process of growth, adaptation, and learning to find joy in the work itself.
Traditional publishing comes with its share of challenges: unexpected setbacks, shifting industry landscapes, and rejections that can feel personal even when they’re not. What sets successful writers apart isn’t just persistence, but a deep love for storytelling. And as long as that remains, every hurdle, every revision, and every hard-earned step forward is worth it.
In today’s interview, author Daniel Aleman shares how he stays grounded in an unpredictable industry, the lessons he’s learned from rejection, and why finding joy in the writing itself is the best way to build a lasting career.
OUR SPECIAL GUEST TODAY IS…
Daniel Aleman
Author
Daniel Aleman’s latest novel, I MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE, is available now!
What is the most memorable writing tip or technique that you have heard, and how did it influence your process?
One of the most important tips that comes to mind is: “Do it for yourself first.”
As authors, it’s easy to get lost in the pursuit of whatever we define as “success.” There is so much pressure to please others—whether it be agents, editors, trade reviewers, or readers—but it's vital to always stay true to ourselves and the stories we want to tell. Whenever I feel overwhelmed by the expectations of others, I remind myself that the reason I started doing any of this in the first place is simply because I love sitting down at my desk and getting lost in my own stories. And, as they say, if you don't enjoy writing it, people won't enjoy reading it.
What was the biggest obstacle you faced in your publishing journey?
I definitely look back on the process of finding an agent as one of the biggest obstacles I faced. The thing is, that was quickly followed by a million other hurdles, including being dropped by my publisher in 2020, when Disney (the company I had a two-book deal with) sold a big part of its catalogue to Hachette. Then there was the fact that my debut novel was released in the middle of the pandemic, when many bookstores were still closed, which made it very difficult to promote it. On top of that, there have been multiple changes within my editorial teams over the years, which ultimately has me wondering which has been the single biggest obstacle in my journey thus far. It's hard to pick just one!
All this is to say, I feel that pursuing traditional publishing is an uphill battle riddled with obstacles. The lesson I’ve taken from all this is that patience and adaptability will get you a long way in this industry—and I’m thankful to say I’ve developed a very thick skin as a result of these challenges.
What is one thing you wish you had known about the publishing process before going through it yourself?
I used to think there was a “point of arrival.” Initially, I treated finding an agent as my end goal. But then, once I achieved that, my attention shifted to getting a book deal. Then, to editing my debut novel. Then, to focusing on my next book. The process never ends—there truly hasn’t been a single point in my six-year journey as an author where I’ve felt like I could sit back and relax. This brings me back to my previous point of how important it is to find joy in the process. I’ve realized that, as long as I get to spend time telling the stories I want to tell, everything else that comes with the publishing process is worth it.
What's one writing "rule" or commonly followed piece of advice that you decidedly break?
The first that comes to mind is “show don’t tell,” which I used to take as a golden rule back when I was an aspiring novelist. But then I had a writing teacher who suggested the rule should be: “show AND tell,” which changed my perspective. A novel full of “showing” will be bogged down with unnecessary detail that will slow the pace. On the other hand, if you only “tell” in your writing, the story won’t have the depth required to allow readers to get lost in the world you’ve created.
The real challenge is to understand when to use which technique—though, of course, the more you write, the easier it gets to trust your own instinct.
How did you get your literary agent? What was the querying process like for you?
My querying journey was long. It took me several years and four manuscripts to sign with my agent. The interesting thing was that, with every new book I queried, I could see encouraging signs that told me I was getting closer to my goal. I went from getting no requests with my first manuscript, to a couple with the second, to suddenly having an inbox full of agents asking to see more of my work. That’s why I always tell aspiring authors to think of rejection as a learning opportunity—not only does it allow us to build the resilience required to succeed in this industry, but it also invites us to take a look at our previous work, ask ourselves what was working and what wasn’t, and incorporate those lessons into our next manuscript.
There’s also something to be said about the strength it takes to shelf projects and start working on something new. This may not seem like a good thing while you’re going through it, but it ultimately becomes a super valuable skill to have as a published author.
How do you personally get over writer's block?
For me, writing every day is the best way to combat writer’s block. That is what allows me to remain immersed in the story I’m telling and not lose focus. And if ever I’m going through a tricky part of my manuscript, I find that sitting at my desk consistently and putting words—any words—on the page ultimately helps me get out of those humps.
I always say that even if you write a single sentence a day, you will ultimately make progress.
Are you a plotter or a pantser? What's your personal drafting process like?
I have always been a plotter, and I really enjoy the process of ideating and outlining a story. Once I’ve decided on the concept for a book, I spend some time (usually a few months, though sometimes upwards of a year) jotting down ideas, unpacking characters, and figuring out plot points.
I only begin drafting once I have a full sense of what the story will look like from beginning to end. That’s not to say I don’t leave room for surprises along the way—sometimes, the best ideas emerge in the middle of drafting—but having a roadmap makes the process far smoother for me.
Looking for more writing and publishing tips?
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🏆 How to Write a Better First Draft Than 99% of Writers (YouTube)
💪 Rejection isn't a failure, but a stepping stone (X/Twitter)
🗣️ Writing great dialogue (Reels)
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The best thing with writing for myself is that if the book is rejected, which is most likely, at least I have written the story that I am passionate about.
These were some excellent tips. I really appreciate your perspective on the writing process. I've been told before that, when seeking an agent or publishing deal, it is best to keep writing while you query. I learned that when I went to see John Grisham speak at James Madison University.
I've also heard different people say what you said about writing every day, even if it's just a sentence (or for an hour). It's always good to keep in mind that any effort made is considered progress. I usually tend to forget this, so I appreciate that you made your own emphasis on this.
But, when you mentioned that we need to both SHOW and TELL when it comes to story telling, well, that is a new concept for me, and I like it! I need to remember that when you tell a story, the words must seem fluid, and sometimes, it means that "description" isn't always necessary. This is a concept which I will definitely keep in mind more when it comes to my writing, so thank you for mentioning it!
Lastly, I appreciate what you said about writing a story which you enjoy. I often find myself writing stories which I would love to read, instead of what I think others might want to read. This way, I put my passions and personality into my writing, instead of leaving it feeling flat or forced.