The Best Stories Are Yet to Come: Writing Lessons from Your Future Self

Evan Swensen
December 13, 2024

The soft hum of a desk lamp fills the room, its light pooling over scattered pages, red-marked drafts, and a cup of coffee long gone cold. A young writer slumps forward, forehead pressed to her desk, exhaustion overtaking her. The window rattles faintly in the night wind, the world outside muted, distant. Her dreams pull her into an extraordinary vision.

She opens her eyes to find herself in a room unlike any she’s seen before. Bookshelves line the walls, filled with copies of books bearing her name. Framed awards glimmer under warm lights. In a sleek leather chair, a figure turns to face her—it’s her future self.

“You’re… me?” the young writer stammers.

Future Self smiles. “Yes. And no. I’m you, but a few decades ahead. The version of you who didn’t give up.”

The younger version’s eyes widen. “You’re here to tell me how to get all… this?” She gestures to the books, the accolades, the success radiating from every corner of the room.

Future Self chuckles, leaning forward. “Not exactly. I’m here to tell you what matters most.”

“Okay, then. What’s the secret?”

Future Self grins knowingly. “Don’t give up. You’ll get published, win awards, and even have one of your books turned into a movie.”

The young writer’s jaw drops. “Which one of my books?”

Future Self sighs. “None of the ones you’re working on now.”

Her confusion is palpable. “Then why am I torturing myself with these drafts?”

Future Self softens. “Because it’s not about this book. It’s about the journey. Every failed draft is sharpening your craft. Every rejection letter is teaching you resilience. The masterpiece you’re destined to write is out there, waiting for you to discover it. But you’ll only find it if you keep going.”

This dream mirrors the experience of countless writers, even some of the most successful. Take Richard Bach, for instance. In 1970, his manuscript for Jonathan Livingston Seagull was rejected by at least 18 publishers. The book, a philosophical tale about a seagull who dreams of flying higher and breaking free from the norms of his flock, wasn’t considered marketable. But Bach believed in his story. He persisted, and when a small publishing house finally gave the book a chance, it took flight—selling over a million copies within the first few years.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull didn’t just become a bestseller; it became a phenomenon. In 1972, the book was adapted into a film, complete with a Grammy-winning score by Neil Diamond. But none of that would have happened if Bach had listened to the naysayers or let those 18 rejections convince him to abandon his story.

Richard Bach’s experience is a testament to Future Self’s wisdom: it’s not about this book—it’s about continuing to write, dream, and believe in the work only you can create.

The same can be said of J.K. Rowling, whose Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was famously rejected by 12 publishers. Or Stephen King, who nearly gave up on Carrie before his wife rescued the manuscript from the trash. These stories remind us that success often comes not from the first attempt but from the persistence to try again.

The young writer in our story stares at her future self, the weight of the conversation sinking in.

“So, you’re saying it’s all about persistence?”

Future Self nods. “And patience. Remember, marketing your work is part of the journey, too. Richard Bach didn’t stop with just writing. He found a way to share his vision with the world. Success requires not just the courage to write, but the bravery to put your work out there, to face rejection, and to try again.”

The younger version frowns. “But what if I fail? What if no one ever reads my work?”

Future Self smiles. “Ah, but you will fail. Many times. But every failure will teach you something you need to know. Every rejection will lead you closer to the audience waiting for your words. Your masterpiece is out there, but the journey will lead you to it.”

As the dream fades, the young writer wakes, her cheek imprinted with the lines of her notebook. The rain outside has stopped, and dawn breaks gently through the curtains. She looks at the half-written page before her, picks up her pen, and begins again.

This isn’t just a story for one writer. It’s for every writer—those in the trenches of drafting, revising, and marketing their work. Whether it’s the first novel, the 20th, or the one stuck in a drawer, every effort matters. As Richard Bach, J.K. Rowling, and Stephen King show us, persistence turns a dream into reality.

Dream big. Write often. Fail gloriously. And remember—your future self is cheering you on because the best stories are the ones we haven’t written yet.

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