Yes! Everyone’s journey is different, but all are valid. I started “writing a book” after getting kicked out of my PhD, and I spent zero time outlining, planning, or consulting other writers. I just knew that it had taken on a life of its own, and that writing was imperative. I scored a book deal pretty quickly, and coincidentally, my book will he released right around the time I expected to finish my dissertation. Life is wild, but if writing nourishes you, just do it.