Craig Heath , yes writing a novel can be like childbirth. It is a lot of work and it can be painful and it can seem like the rest of the world ignores you. But I would never tell a first-time novelist to, “Don’t.” Bringing a baby (or novel) into this world can be the most glorious experience we can undergo. When we write a poem or article or short story on Medium we might get some immediate praise and feedback energy but after a couple of days (or hours) it sinks into the Medium Abyss and is never seen again. A novel has a much longer lifespan. And you can magnify the joy of finishing a short story a thousand times to reach the joy experienced finishing a novel. At least that’s my experience. All the claps and hearts and praise is nothing compared to the sound of that baby crying when the doctor slaps it naked bottom. My advice to a first-time novelist is, GO FOR IT WITH EVERYTHING YOU’VE GOT and stop looking at stats.