Tony Tips Tuesdays: Respecting Every Stage of the Writing Process — A Journey of Discipline, Patience, and Pride

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
Mar 25
6 min read

There’s something sacred about the writing journey. Whether it’s scribbling that first idea, wrestling through edits, or proudly sending your work out into the world, each stage is worthy of respect. Too often, writers chase the glory of publication without honoring the hard, messy, and beautiful process that gets them there.

Today, on the 25th day of Women’s History Month, we celebrate the countless women writers who exemplified discipline, patience, and pride in every stage of their craft. Women whose words shaped history because they understood this truth: writing is a journey, not a sprint.

The Writing Stage — Discipline is the Foundation

Writing starts with showing up. Daily. Whether inspired or not. Writers like Octavia Butler believed this to their core.

“First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you’re inspired or not.”

That’s discipline. The willingness to sit at the keyboard when your mind is blank. The strength to write those ugly first drafts. Because writing isn’t just magic—it’s muscle. And the more you work it, the stronger it gets.

Women Who Embodied Writing Discipline

Octavia Butler, often called the Mother of Afrofuturism, woke early every morning to write. Her legacy is proof that discipline births brilliance.
Maya Angelou rented a hotel room just to write without distraction. Her ritual shows that protecting your creative space matters.
Toni Morrison, writing in the early hours before going to her editing job and raising two sons, proves discipline is sometimes born of necessity.

The process of writing is often romanticized, but discipline is the cornerstone. Successful writers learn to write through fatigue, self-doubt, and distractions. They set word count goals, create writing schedules, and prioritize their craft.

Writing with discipline also means embracing the imperfect first draft. You must resist the urge to self-edit as you go. Let the words spill out—messy, raw, and real. That’s where your truest voice lives.

The Editing Stage — Patience Refines the Craft

After the draft, comes the real work: editing. This is where good writers become great. Editing takes patience because it forces you to face your flaws—to kill your darlings, refine your ideas, and polish every sentence until it shines.

“I’m not a writer, I’m a rewriter.” — James Baldwin

Women like Zora Neale Hurston understood this. Her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God was rejected multiple times before publication. Every rejection became an opportunity to revise, refine, and fight for her story.

Why Editing Deserves Respect

✔️ It humbles you. Every writer thinks their first draft is brilliant. Editing proves otherwise.

✔️ It sharpens your voice. Cutting filler words, reworking scenes, and tightening dialogue all refine your message.

✔️ It honors your readers. A well-edited book respects the time and trust your readers invest.

Editing is also where you learn the power of pacing, structure, and rhythm. It’s the stage where the writer becomes the architect, shaping their work into a solid, compelling narrative.

Many women writers, especially Black women, have shown that patience in editing can produce timeless literature. Alice Walker’s The Color Purple was edited, challenged, and nearly banned, yet its careful structure and emotional resonance remain powerful today.

The Publishing Stage — Pride in Sharing Your Voice

Finally, after the discipline and patience, comes pride. Publishing isn’t just about seeing your name on a cover; it’s about owning your story and releasing it into the world.

Historically, women—especially Black women—faced immense barriers to publication. Yet, they persisted. They understood that pride isn’t arrogance—it’s acknowledgment of the work it took to get there.

“If there’s a book you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” — Toni Morrison

Women Who Published with Pride

Phillis Wheatley, the first published African American woman poet, defied slavery and expectations to publish her work in 1773.
Nella Larsen, navigating the Harlem Renaissance, explored race and identity with fearless prose.
Alice Walker, whose The Color Purple faced bans but remains one of the most powerful literary works to this day.

Publishing is also about finding your audience. Every book, poem, article, or blog post you release is an invitation for readers to see the world through your eyes. There is power in that. Never take it for granted.

Respecting the Process in Your Own Work

Here’s the thing, writers: every stage is necessary. You can’t skip ahead. If you do, your work suffers. Respecting the process means:

✅ Setting writing goals and sticking to them.

✅ Giving yourself grace during messy drafts.

✅ Revising ruthlessly and seeking feedback.

✅ Celebrating when you hit ‘publish’—whether it’s a blog, a book, or a post.

The writing process is where your voice finds its strength. It’s where stories are born, shaped, and shared. Honoring each step ensures your work stands the test of time.

What S.O.L.A.D.™ Taught Me About the Process

Writing my novel S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™ taught me this lesson firsthand. There were days the words flowed and days they didn’t. There were drafts I thought were perfect—until they weren’t. I edited chapters until my eyes blurred, but I stayed with it.

And when I finally published, I felt pride. Not just because of the finished product, but because I respected every step that got me there.

In S.O.L.A.D.™, the journey mirrors the writing process itself. My characters fight battles in the dark, not knowing if they’ll win. They endure, refine their purpose, and emerge stronger. That’s the writing life.

Women’s History Month Spotlight — Writers Who Respected the Process

1. Lorraine Hansberry — Discipline in Storytelling

Author of A Raisin in the Sun, Hansberry crafted a play so powerful it became the first by a Black woman produced on Broadway. She respected her characters, their dreams, and the process of bringing Black family life to the stage.

2. Edwidge Danticat — Patience in Painful Stories

In The Dew Breaker, Danticat wove together stories of trauma and resilience with care. She took time to edit, reshape, and ensure every word honored the Haitian experience.

3. Jesmyn Ward — Pride in Southern Black Stories

Ward writes about poverty, loss, and love in the rural South. With two National Book Awards, she reminds us that pride in your voice and your community matters.

Tips for Writers: How to Respect the Process

1. Schedule Your Writing Time

Don’t wait for inspiration. Make writing part of your daily or weekly routine.

2. Separate Writing and Editing

Let the words flow first. Then, return later with your editor’s hat on.

3. Seek Feedback

Beta readers, critique partners, or writing groups help you see your blind spots.

4. Celebrate Milestones

Finished your first draft? Edited your toughest chapter? Celebrate. Small wins fuel the journey.

5. Honor Your Voice

Never let imposter syndrome silence you. Your story matters.

Writing as Legacy — For You and Future Generations

Women like Margaret Walker, Gwendolyn Brooks, Rita Dove, and Jacqueline Woodson didn’t just write—they built bridges. Their discipline, patience, and pride gave us literature that reflects our history, our dreams, and our future.

Every writer—especially Black writers—must understand that this is bigger than one book. It’s about legacy.

When you respect the process, you’re not just writing for today. You’re writing for every reader who will come after you. You’re honoring the craft and every woman who paved the way.

Exercises to Deepen Your Respect for the Process

✅ Write a letter to your future published self. What do you hope you learn?

✅ Edit a favorite scene. Focus on tightening every sentence.

✅ Read a memoir by a woman writer. Note the struggles and triumphs of her process.

✅ Create a ritual to mark each stage. Light a candle when you write. Toast yourself when you finish editing.

Final Thoughts: It’s About More Than Words

Writing is art. Editing is craftsmanship. Publishing is courage.

Each stage deserves your respect because it reflects who you are as a writer—and as a person.

As Women’s History Month draws to a close, let’s honor the women who taught us this: Every word matters. Every draft teaches. Every published work is proof of perseverance.

So, write with discipline. Edit with patience. Publish with pride. And never forget—this journey is worthy of your respect.

📖 Experience the Process in Action — Read S.O.L.A.D.™

Want to see what respecting the process looks like? Grab your copy of S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™ at www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/the-shop. Let me show you what’s possible when discipline, patience, and pride come together.