Hi, this is a great question and a fantastic topic. 

I can share my own discovery process. And for me this has taken a decade, and it will be ongoing for the rest of my life. Best of all, it's fun and fulfilling; as well as sometimes scary and frustrating.

For me, my own writing (and me reading) has been a journey of discovering more specifically what are my interests and what are my feelings about them. This has been through writing in my journal on a regular basis, through writing research papers for college classes, through trying new areas of writing, through reading and posting at blogs and posting on my own blog, and more.

I have discovered areas that I am deeply interested in, but don't seem to have a talent or a "knack" at all. Like physics. I have discovered areas that I easily understand, but that I do not enjoy. Like politics. And I have found areas that I enjoy a lot, and understand, I that I want to pursue more. Like thrillers and young adult fiction. And psychology and wellness.

This has also been a discovery of my own psyche, and been deeply personal; and involved things that are between me and my wife, or me and my Creator.

Self discovery can mean the difference between "just living a life" and living a fulfilling and examined life.   :)

Best,
- Dan