Realizing Our Literary Ambitions: Sharing Our Book-Writing Journey

In a groundbreaking move, esteemed online writing school, The Novelry, launched a grand competition named The Next Big Story in May, with an incredible £75,000 prize for the winning aspiring author. This competition aims to empower the next generation of best-selling authors by providing them with the necessary resources and platform to spearhead a life-altering career, especially for women who often struggle to break into this industry while managing their careers, familial obligations, and everyday life.

As Louise Dean, the Founder of The Novelry and a Booker Prize-listed author, stated, "Writing fiction seems to have high barriers to engagement. Many self-exclude and find it difficult to even try writing. We want to shatter those barriers with a phenomenal prize that rewards the daring impulse of creativity, where the first sentence sets foot on a page, and anything can come next!"

We caught up with three successful authors who brought their books to life without any financial safety net - only passion, determination, and minimal spare time.

Discovering the Best Writing Moments

For many scribes, finding quiet instances to work is a daily conundrum. Ella Dove, 34, the Features Editor at Woman&Home magazine, penned her award-winning children's novel How to Roller-skate with One Leg in 2024, drawing inspiration from her own experiences as an amputee. For her, writing meant setting her alarm early. "I'd sneak downstairs for coffee, then return to bed, spending the first hour of the day writing while my husband George and our dog Daphne napped beside me," she shared.

Hannah Doyle, 41, the best-selling author of five novels ranging from 2017's The Year of Saying Yes to The Spa Break*, released on 22 May 2025, found that mornings suited her best - although with newborn twins, this was easier said than done. "I wrote Just My Type** in quick moments while the boys napped. Sometimes I'd be in the midst of a scene when they stirred – or they wouldn't nap at all. It was challenging to keep the creative momentum going."

Dr Gemma Newman, 43, penned The Plant Power Doctor: a simple prescription for a healthier you while working as a GP, raising two children with her husband Richard, and managing a busy schedule. She juggled different timeframes depending on the task at hand. "I was most productive during the day, so I'd write the sections that flowed more easily then. In the evenings, after the kids were in bed, I'd do the fact-checking and reference gathering."

Ella's debut novel has been applauded by bestselling children's author, Jacqueline Wilson, as "a book to treasure forever because it's so subtle, so surprising, so very special."

Hannah's fifth romantic comedy novel has just been released for the summer of 2025, and it's garnering positive reviews already.

Gemma's second book combines her professional medical knowledge with studies of nutrition, psychotherapy, and more to offer holistic advice to improve your wellbeing.

Maintaining Motivation

Motivation is crucial whether one writes fiction or non-fiction. Gemma credits her book deal with keeping her motivated. "Life as a working mom is exhausting. If I didn't have the contract in place, I probably would've opted for Netflix most evenings."

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Ella shared a clever trick that kept her enthusiastic about returning to her manuscript each day: "I never stopped writing at the end of a chapter. I'd always write the first paragraph of the following one, so I'd jump straight back into the flow when I resumed writing."

Deadlines helped Hannah stay focused. "They provide structure – otherwise it's easy to procrastinate. It takes me around a year to write and polish a manuscript, and I've learned not to worry when the words don't come easily every day."

A Glimpse into Real-Life Writing

Ella penned How to Roller-skate with One Leg - a children's novel inspired by her own experience as an amputee – while comfortably propped up in bed with a mug of coffee. "My bed was the most comfortable spot. Sometimes it was tough to tear myself away from my imagination and back into reality."

For Hannah, The Year of Saying Yes was penned while heavily pregnant. "I dropped oatcake crumbs on my massive bump while typing! The babies and the book arrived within months of each other. I breastfed two hungry boys while launching my career as an author – it was chaos!"

Gemma managed to squeeze in writing between GP shifts and the school run. "I viewed those writing sessions as restorative time for me – moments of tranquility amidst the chaos of a hectic household and a demanding job."

Can Writing Pay the Bills?

Not always. As Hannah admitted, "I took a financial hit by opting to write novels instead of working in journalism." Despite this, she feels fortunate to write, manage the school run, and be present for her kids – and to have her husband Olly's support. "I couldn't do this without him."

Ella concurred, "I was honored to be approached by a publisher, but it's uncommon for an author to secure a big enough advance to leave their day job. I wrote for love, not financial success."

Advice for Aspiring Authors

"Create a plan and chapter structure – it aids your brain's focus," suggests Gemma. "I even saved unused content from my first book for my second, making the process smoother."

Ella advises embracing what matters to you. "There's a lack of disability representation in literature. I made my 13-year-old protagonist, Maya, an amputee, just like me. She has a strong will and determination, always proving others wrong – that's why she learns to roller-skate!"

Hannah believes the key is persistence. "Pitching my own ideas was nerve-wracking, but worthwhile. Now I'm working on my sixth romantic comedy, and I'm bursting with ideas. I just love spinning these stories."

Writing a book may not always come with a six-figure prize, but for these authors, it's the love of storytelling – coupled with determination – that brought their dreams to life.

In the realm of home and garden magazines, Ella Dove, the Features Editor at Woman&Home, crafted her award-winning children's novel, 'How to Roller-skate with One Leg', by making use of quiet moments early in the morning.
The pursuit of health and wellness led Dr. Gemma Newman to pen her book, 'The Plant Power Doctor: a simple prescription for a healthier you', while juggling her responsibilities as a GP, a mother, and a wife.
In the joys and challenges of beauty and lifestyle, Hannah Doyle, the best-selling author of five novels, found inspiration to write 'Just My Type' amidst the chaos of caring for newborn twins.