We’ve all seen the image of the iceberg, where a small tip peeks above the water labeled ”Book” while the massive, unseen bulk beneath represents everything that went into it. But what does that hidden bulk really entail? Writing a book is far more than just putting pen to paper, and anyone who’s attempted it knows there are way more stages than what’s shown here. Let’s dive deep into the iceberg’s layers – from the thrilling highs to the soul-crushing lows, with a few extra surprises along the way.

1. Dreaming
This is where it all starts, right? You have a fleeting idea or maybe just a vague concept that seems too exciting to ignore. It feels great, doesn’t it? Almost magical. You’re convinced that this will be the story, the one people will remember forever. If only you knew what you were getting yourself into…

2. Ideating
Now, you’re brainstorming, filling notebooks with random thoughts, plot twists, and character quirks. It’s still fun at this stage; you’re in love with the idea, and nothing seems impossible. But little do you realize that even thinking about this book is already a full-time job – and you haven’t even started writing yet.

3. Researching
Now things start to get serious. You find yourself lost in endless Wikipedia articles, reading obscure books, and watching documentaries you never thought you’d care about. You’re not just creating characters; you’re building worlds, learning the ins and outs of historical details, medical terms, or legal jargon. At some point, you wonder, ”Why did I think this was a good idea?”

4. Thinking
The story is living in your head now, taking over your thoughts. You can’t walk down the street without mentally scripting a scene or figuring out character motivations. Every small decision is agonizing – do you keep that dialogue? Should the character be this way or that way? Suddenly, you realize your life has become consumed by an imaginary world, and you can’t escape.

5. Writing
Finally, it’s time to write. And at first, it feels amazing, like you’re painting with words. But soon enough, you hit the dreaded writer’s block. You stare at the screen, wondering if anything you’re saying even makes sense. You’re filled with self-doubt. The story you fell in love with now feels like a mess, and you wonder if you should scrap the whole thing. Welcome to the “Why am I doing this to myself?” stage.

6. Hating What You Wrote
Now you’ve got something down, but as you read over it, your heart sinks. Did I really write this? Why does it sound so awkward? This part feels like a betrayal – it’s your story, but on paper, it seems alien and ugly. Cue the existential crisis and a sudden urge to take up a hobby that doesn’t involve bleeding your soul onto the page.

7. Rewriting
Here’s where the fun (and the misery) really begins. You dive into the text, rewriting scenes, deleting chapters, and adding new ones. Every word, sentence, and paragraph is dissected, rearranged, and often thrown out. This can go on forever, and as you sift through endless drafts, you start to question every life choice that led you here. You wonder why no one warned you that writing could be this grueling.

8. Feedback from the Beta Reader
You think it’s in a good place, but now it’s time for someone else to read it. A beta reader or developmental reader steps in and provides feedback on your story’s structure, characters, and pacing. You’re handed new insights and likely a list of suggested changes. So, back you go to rewriting, implementing feedback and trying to make it all work without losing your original vision. It’s a tough but invaluable step that sharpens the story.

9. Editing – The Hard Truth Hits
You think you’ve reached the finish line, that the most challenging part is over. But here comes the editor, armed with a red pen and a sharp eye for detail. They dive into every word, every sentence, and often, they don’t hold back. Suddenly, you’re not just dealing with minor changes – you’re facing full-scale critiques that can be brutally honest. Your plot might have ”holes,” your characters might seem ”flat,” and scenes you agonized over are now deemed ”irrelevant.”

Then comes the shocker: the editor suggests adding elements you never planned, like scenes that push you out of your comfort zone. Maybe they want a romance subplot with a steamy twist, or a high-tension fight scene. Perhaps they push you to dig deeper into parts of the story you’d barely sketched out or to add moments of vulnerability that feel raw and unfiltered. You’re left debating whether to give in to these suggestions or stick to your original vision – a tug-of-war between creative pride and the goal of creating something stronger, more compelling.

In some cases, this stage means rethinking entire sections, shifting story arcs, or even axing characters altogether. If you’re unlucky, you may need to rewrite major chunks of the book. Every ”suggestion” feels like a tiny dagger, and you’re left wondering if there’s any part of your original story left intact. It’s not just humbling; it’s almost like learning to write all over again.

And yet, despite the mountain of new work, the countless revisions, and the humbling feedback, you’re too deep in to quit. Somehow, you find the grit to keep going, motivated by the slim chance that, after all this, your story will emerge better, stronger, and worth every struggle.

10. Proofreading – No Going Back
Now it’s time for proofreading, where no more rewrites are allowed. This stage is about catching errors and making sure everything is consistent. By now, you’re mentally drained, and all you want is for it to be over. But there’s one final round of perfectionism as you ensure every comma, period, and word is correct. Reading it again fills you with dread, but it’s the last battle before the book is truly done.

11. The Moment of Pride (And the Gut Punch of Criticism)
Finally, your book is published! You hold it in your hands with pride, feeling that you’ve conquered the impossible. But soon enough, reviews start coming in, and not all of them are kind. Someone finds faults, criticizes harshly, and suddenly, you feel crushed. To add to it, you realize that most authors in Sweden won’t sell more than a hundred copies, making it more of a financial strain than a gain.

Final Thoughts: Why We Keep Going
So why do we do it? After all the anguish, exhaustion, and financial drain, why bother? Maybe it’s because each book is a piece of ourselves, something we feel compelled to bring into the world. Or maybe it’s the hope that this book might touch someone, resonate with a reader in a way that makes all the hardship worth it.

Writing a novel is a test of endurance and resilience. It’s about falling in love with your story, even as it drives you to the edge. And despite everything, the dream of reaching readers keeps us going. Could AI ever replace this process? Not the AI I’ve tested, anyway. Until then, this rollercoaster of highs and lows is ours to bear, for better or worse.