Should I Write A Book? Three reasons to take the plunge
When people ask me if they should write a book, I usually say, “Absolutely.” Writing, whether fiction or non-, is not a goal for everyone, but if it’s your dream, why wouldn’t you give it a shot? Here are the top three reasons you SHOULD write a book:
- I HAVE to write this story
The ‘calling’ won’t leave you alone. You think about it all day, every day. The characters, the plotline, the dialogue…it’s all in your head, begging to get out. You may even have dreamed of being an author your whole life. Don’t let the dream die.
There are plenty of reasons NOT to write a book, but if you have a story you must tell, and it won’t leave you alone, start writing. If you want to be an author more than anything else, commit and do it.
USA TODAY Bestselling Author Haven Rose felt ‘the call.’ “I honestly never thought about writing until a line in a song my husband was listening to gave me an idea. They’ve been coming ever since.” She felt like she had to tell that story, and now that the writing faucet has been turned on, she has over 70 stories published so far with more to come.
For USA TODAY Bestselling Author Adrienne Giordano, her first story is a beautiful reminder of time she spent with her father, and she went on to polish it and get it published (along with 44 more!). “In high school, after reading an old copy of Rage of Angels (Sidney Sheldon) I’d found in a box, I decided I wanted to write a book. It took me another fifteen years to actually start a novel. I’d been busy building a career in advertising when my father became sick. I took a leave of absence from work to help with his care, and while sitting beside his hospital bed, I realized I suddenly had time to chase my writing dream. That project eventually became Risking Trust.”
- I want to leave a LEGACY
Along with feeling the call to write a book, one of the best reasons to write is to leave a legacy. My insurance agent’s wife wrote a children’s book before she passed away, and her children and grandchildren treasure it. She never attempted to have it published, but a piece of her life is in the pages of that book, and that’s a priceless gift to her family.
What is your legacy?
“I finally committed to writing a book and seeking publication after 9/11 slapped me in the face and made me realize I’d wanted to be an author my whole life. Life was short and I didn’t want to be 80 years old and regret that I’d never tried. Writing stories gave me a way to feel in control again, ensuring the good guys won, the day was saved, and the bad guys were brought to justice. It’s now a legacy I will pass onto my kids.” – USA TODAY Bestselling Author Misty Evans
- I want to INSPIRE/ENTERTAIN/MOTIVATE/TEACH because I’ve been inspired
What if you could inspire and motivate others? Help them forget their troubles for a few hours? Teach them about a subject you’re an expert in?
This is another reason to decide to write, and it can keep you motivated to show up day after day at the keyboard. Bringing happiness to others acts as inspiration for you, and if you’ve felt that kind of inspiration from another author’s works, you act as a catalyst to keep the flow going. Who knows who you might inspire to write their book?
“Bridget Jones made me commit to writing my first novel. Before reading Helen Fielding’s book, I’d never really connected to an author’s voice in that way. But once I read Bridget Jones’s Diary, the humor and dialogue made me think there was space for my voice as well.” – USA TODAY and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author (of over 126 novels) Nana Malone
Great! You’ve committed to taking the plunge. Now what?
Outline, outline, outline.
I’ve met many individuals who are fired up to get the words down, only to lose steam after that initial rush. For fiction, it’s due to the fact they don’t know where the story is going. They have no outline, no roadmap.
Believable fiction, even pure fantasy, requires research, a lot of rewriting, (and typically copious amounts of caffeine.) While the scenes in your head may be vivid and movie-like, transferring them to the page with equal clarity is a challenge. It’s frustrating and draining, and can lead to throwing in the proverbial keyboard before you get to The End.
That’s why it’s important to understand story structure and to outline the high points, or beats, of the journey your characters are going on. Each beat is an important moment of the story that moves the plot along and fleshes out the character’s emotional growth. (Check out our worksheet to guide you through this process (http://writing-raven.com/product/breaking-down-the-beats-writing-exercise)
Vomit the first draft.
First-time writers often have a subconscious desire to work out their own emotional growth arc over things that have happened to them in real life. Their characters can become preachy, the story bogged down in emotional narrative. This is the reason I encourage newbies to write the book of their heart, without judgment or worry. Don’t edit. Vomit it all into a first draft, and then put that draft away for now. Consider it therapy.
For non-fiction authors, this may also be true. If you’re writing a memoir, poetry, or self-help, the book can become your therapist. Let it. Your deepest wounds make you stronger, and that will come through in all your writings.
Start your next book.
Once you’ve started a second book, you’ll have more confidence and will have refined your unique voice and perspective to share with readers.
If you decide to publish your first manuscript, hire a professional editor and let them instruct you. Don’t take their advice personally, but use it to hone your craft and you’ll discover that subsequent books become easier. Your true voice will shine.
But…
If you’re still not sure whether or not to write that first book, start small. Play with an idea. Talk to a writing coach. Take a course or join a group and test things out. Flirt with a concept, a short story. Even an opening line.
Most importantly, consider your end goal. What do you want out of writing a book? What is your motivation?
If you have a story that must be told, tell it. You can’t edit what you haven’t written. You can’t inspire or entertain if there’s nothing there.
And if you need guidance, Writing Raven Author Solutions is here. Check out the writing resources we recommend and grab our free worksheet about story beats: https://writing-raven.com/freebies.
Do it. Jump in. Find support. Write the story of your heart, leave a legacy, and inspire others. We can’t wait to see what you will do.
Misty & The Writing Raven Team
P.S. Want to be more productive in 2024? The Writing Raven Team has put together the My Best Life 2024 author workbook and planner to help you every step of the way with setting goals and achieving them. It’s never too early to start planning for next year. Grab your copy today!
