As a writer and published author, when I tell people what I do for a living, I’m often met with the response, “I’ve always wanted to write a book.”
It’s kind of exciting because I never realized how many would-be authors there are out there that share my passion for putting words to paper. But, at the same time it makes me sad because these people aren’t achieving their goal of finally seeing their thoughts in print.
If this is you, then you’ve likely had the daydream of seeing your name on the bestsellers list. You’ve envisioned yourself at book signings or fancy parties with other famous authors and movie celebrities (and anyone else that has achieved your level of success).
You’ve pictured yourself sitting with a warm cup of coffee on a bench by the water as you ponder what bestseller you’re going to write next.
Well, it’s time to take these visions and make them a reality. If you’re not quite convinced that you’ve got what it takes, here are three very compelling reasons that may change your mind and spur you into immediate action:
It’s a Legacy
When I look at all of the published works I have both online and in print, I’m always reminded that they will be there long after I quit writing.
In actuality, they’ll likely be around in some way, shape or form forever which, of course, I won’t be. Whether it is my book on someone’s shelf or an internet article that is read years down the road, as a writer I have the ability to leave my legacy behind for others to follow.
That’s pretty powerful when you stop and think about it. It’s amazing that you can impact the world not only the moment you published or printed, but for years and decades to come. Think of how many ripples you can send across the ocean of life in that period of time.
So, if you would just sit yourself down to put your own words to paper, you’ll be doing the same. You’ll let future generations learn all the lessons you have to teach. You’ll have permanently etched your name in the history’s books of this great big world.
No Regrets
This reason is the one that pushed me the most when I started actually writing my books. I had publishing a book on my bucket list for as long as I can remember. And, I knew that if I didn’t actually sit down and do it, I was going to regret it for the rest of my life.
Don’t put yourself in a position where you someday look back and wish you would have taken the time but didn’t. You don’t want to be in your later years in life, sitting in a rocking chair on your porch wishing that you had written and published a book. That’s completely senseless…and 100% avoidable.
Let that vision be the one that motivates you to finally take action. Keep that image in your head so that you don’t make it a reality. Better yet, picture yourself at a ripe old age looking back over your life completely satisfied with the fact that you set out to do something and you did it.
It May Inspire or Motivate Others
This is probably the least expected but most enjoyable response I’ve received when I tell others I’ve written a couple of books. You can almost see the wheels turning in their head as they become motivated to pursue their own goals and achieve their own dreams, which is an amazing thing to be a part of.
I’ve talked to several people that I know that have informed me that they’ve finally started to write their own book partly because I showed them it was possible. They can see on an up close and personal level that you really can write and publish your own works.
I take this as a huge compliment. To know that you did something originally for yourself that has helped countless others achieve a greater level of life satisfaction is amazing. It makes the whole process more special because you have impacted someone else’s life in a very positive way.
So, are you ready to start to pen your own stories? Tell your own tales? Share with the world all of the knowledge, imagination and thoughts that live within your mind?
Some Tips to Get You Started
If your answer is yes, here are some things that I learned along the way that may also help you as you begin your journey to becoming a published author:
- Create a basic outline. This will help keep you on track and moving in the direction you want to go. It can change (and most likely will), but you want a general idea of what it is that you want your words to convey.
- Don’t be confined to writing from beginning to end. If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a writer, a thought will leave your head just as fast as it enters it. So, if you have a great idea for something more suited toward the middle of your book, write that first. You can always add the beginning later.
- Sit down and write. This goes without saying, but this is often the hardest part. You may get in front of the computer screen and have your mind go blank because it can be overwhelming. Just breathe and let your thoughts flow through your fingers to your keyboard.
- Don’t edit until you’re done. I used to spend countless hours going over my words right after they were written, trying to get them to say just the right thing in just the right way. However, this stifles your creativity and interrupts your flow. Instead, get all your words down on paper and worry about editing them later. Just capture the basic idea for now.
- Remember that a little bit goes a long way. You don’t have to write your book in one night, nor should you. Instead, focus on just doing one or two pages at a time. Keep that pace daily and you’ll get there soon enough.
Now you have the reasons why you should finally pursue your goal of penning a book and some general guidelines to help you get started.
It’s time to leave your legacy and change the world… one word at a time.
Add Comment