The hard truth about writing a book.
Great books aren’t just written, they are crafted. Feeling like it needs to be perfect right off the bat is something that holds so many want-to-be authors back from even trying to write their book. Who am I to write a book? I’m not that great at grammar or spelling. English was never my strong suit in school. When would I even find time to write a book? Who would even want to hear what I have to say?
Maybe it’s thoughts like these that are keeping you from writing. Or maybe you’ve sat down to start putting thoughts into a document but never opened it back up again.
I’m here to tell you that your story is valuable. Publishing a book can open so many doors for you, either in your business or personal brand. It can help people across the world.
You absolutely can write a book, but the truth is…no one can do it for you.
Does that mean you have to be the world’s best writer, grammar aficionado or linguistics expert? No. That’s what editors, proof-readers and test readers are for.
Does it mean you have to want to write, commit to doing it, get off your ass and actually write? Yes, yes it does.
If you have the desire to see your name on a published book you owe it yourself to open up that document, push past the negative thoughts and allow your ideas to become words. It’s time to get writing, friend.
You have to trust yourself & your story, lean into your creativity and allow yourself to just write without feeling like you need to filter or restrict yourself. Just remember that a first draft of your manuscript = a rough draft. It still needs to be edited and revised. Let yourself feel that freedom. I promise your writing will turn out better.
Here are a few more ways you can help harness your creativity and get to writing that book!
Tap into your creativity by setting a daily goal and finding time to write every day, yes EVERY day. It doesn’t always have to be your manuscript, maybe it’s a journal or even a social media caption but actively sitting down and writing something every day will actively train your brain to get used to writing. Plus in order to get better at something you have to actually do it…you know that whole practise makes perfect thing?
Cultivate a creative environment where you block out distractions and feel more compelled to write. Clean off your desk. Close out all your other tabs. Sit in a different place than where you work (if you work from home, or do stuff like pay bills). Create a writing ritual with your favourite drink, lighting a candle or some aromatherapy and choose a playlist that matches your writing.
Keep track of your progress and reward yourself. We feel rewarded when we’re able to check things off or see physical proof of our progress so create some sort of progress tracker for yourself, by word count, chapters or days in a row, whatever works! And be sure to assign a reward such as a fancy Starbucks drink, or your favourite takeout lunch!
Take your time and go for walks or be outside in nature when you’re in need of some creative inspiration. It’s so healing and sometimes that break away from screens and distractions is exactly what will spark your next idea.
If you’ve got a case of writer’s block try following some writing prompts to get the creative juices flowing again. Even just short journal sessions can help you get back into the habit of writing.
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