Ahhh the new year is upon us. Christmas lights are coming down, tax materials are being collected, and the gym is jam packed with people eager to get a jump on their resolutions and make this their year!
Will it be yours?
Do you want to get in shape this year? Quit smoking? Finally send out birthday and anniversary cards on time? (Yes, that was one of my resolutions last year. No, it didn’t actually happen. Yes, my friends and family have come to expect that they won’t get a card during the right month. Yes, they love me in spite of it.)
Not gonna happen.
Anyway, maybe your new year’s resolution was to finally write that book that you’ve got living inside you. You know, that little voice that’s screaming “We have something to share with the world! Sit me down at a computer and let me loose.”
What’s holding you back?
Is there another voice inside telling you that you can’t do it? Or maybe that you have nothing worth sharing, or nothing that hasn’t been done before. The good news… that’s totally normal. Every writer is plagued by self doubt at some point (or at every point). In fact, if you can find anyone who claims they haven’t fought that demon, I’d love to meet them and see what other delusions they’re operating under.
Anyway, back to you. Let’s dissect those reasons for a moment (no frogs were harmed in the making of this blog post).
Life is good.
You can’t do it.
Ummm… yeah you can (and you should). Are you afraid that you can’t tell a story? Sure you can. You’ve been telling stories your entire life, you just never realized it. Think you can’t spell or use proper grammar? That’s why editors exist. Every writer has an editor (several actually) that help them polish their prose and curtail their comma usage. If I had a dollar for every unnecessary comma I’ve used… let’s just say I wouldn’t have to work another day in my life. And don’t get me started on my ellipses obsession.
If you think you can’t write a book because you don’t know where to start, you’re not sure how to organize your thoughts, or you just don’t know what the process is, their are book coaches that can help you and courses that can teach you.
And the most common reason I’ve heard why people “can’t” write a book, (survey says) is they just don’t have time. Hmmm… interesting.
Do you watch television?
A quick Google search shows that adults watch more than 33 hours of television a week. Do you have any idea how quickly you could knock a book out with 33 hours a week? You could be the next James Patterson in a year or so. (Just kidding. I think that guy has a team of elves cranking out his books.) I’m just saying, if you really want it… you’ll find the time.
Whistle while you write.
You’ve got nothing to say or nothing new to say
How old are you? You don’t have to answer that, I can’t actually hear you. But if you’re old enough to form words, chances are you’ve had a few experiences. Maybe they aren’t monumental. Not everyone has landed a plane on a body of water, created the largest social media platform in existence, or been a president of the United States. The good news, is that not everyone has landed a plane on a body of water, created the largest social media platform in existence, or been a president of the United States. It’s hard for a reader to find emotional resonance with people who have achieved fantastical things (yes, that’s actually a word). What they can resonate with, is a story of an everyday person overcoming odds that they themselves may be facing at that very moment! The best part is, that story that’s screaming to get out… it might actually help someone else. Whoah.
If you’re afraid that you can’t create something that hasn’t been done before. You’re right.
Wait. What? Have I lost my mind? I’m supposed to be encouraging you.
I am. There is nothing new under the sun. The same stories have been told time and time again throughout history. And that’s okay. Nobody has ever told it like you will. You are a snowflake (don’t gag, I’ll abandon this analogy). Seriously though. You are a unique person with unique experiences and a unique take on those experiences. You could tell the exact same story as someone else, and it still wouldn’t come out the same as they would write it.
Don’t write their story. Write yours. And if you’d like some help writing it, I’d love to chat and see how I can help you. Email me at sheryl@sherylgreenspeaks.com and let’s schedule a time.
Learn the five stages of book development with my free e-book. Download it today.
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