And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. ~Sylvia Plath
One of my childhood dreams was to write a book or two. Notice I didn’t say “To be a writer”. There is a difference between being a writer and just writing a book (I tell myself this to take some pressure off, so just go with it).
English is my second language and the fear of grammatical and phrasing errors always stopped me from even trying. Then there’s the “I’m afraid to be judged” part when people read about all the things I’ve done. Oh and there’s one more. The “People in this book will hate me when they read the part they’re in”. Sound familiar? You see… just like you, I have stories to tell, inspiration to share, imagination and creativity but I also have self-doubt. For some reason, around this time last year I was done being afraid of failing and took a leap of faith! I’m glad and proud to say the book is coming along fine, now if I could just stay focused!
So this is what I’ve done so far:
Step one, decide on fiction or non-fiction? It’s about the story of my life with creative exaggeration and ad lib. What’s so interesting about my life that you would buy my book you say? Well… I said I dreamt of writing one, who said anything about selling it? Now if I happen to send an email blast of my story to all the publishers that will read it and hopefully most won’t get lost in spam folders… well I’ll think about that later, for now I just need to type my thoughts first.
Step two, set aside some time everyday to “type” or stare at my computer for an hour. I can’t have writer’s block if all I’m doing is typing stories, don’t you agree?
Step three, save the document and turn my computer off. I try not to go back to read it. Every time I did, I just ended up wasting the hour and deleting most of what I “typed”. Some nights I get into it and just “type” the night away until I look up and it’s time to pack lunch for hubby and the kid… and brush my teeth.
Step four, well I haven’t gotten to that one yet. Once I’m done “typing” I guess I will take this step to share my work with someone who will tell me like it is… my sisters! This is the part where I give my ego a few shots of the chill pill… I must not be discouraged. So once I’m at this point… I will send out an update!
I know that nine out of ten people reading this post have had some desire of writing a book. I say go for it because the worse thing that can happen is you die wishing you had when here it is… you have today, tomorrow and days to follow. Go “type” a book and maybe even become a writer!
somethingville.com 
I would never be able to stay focused much less gather all of my thoughts and put into a cohesive narrative.. Funny I actually read roughly 2 books a week and I have pretty much been doing that since I was a kid. Its soooo much less work doing the reading than actually being the writer lol.. I hope you continue to post periodically about this journey you are taking..
Cohesive narrative? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Did I spell that right? Last time I used that phrase someone thought I was insulting them! Anyway… I will post updates! Stay tuned!
I have written a book. I just need to stop reading it trying to improve it. 2012 is the year for me! My story is about my life with my parents. Most non-fiction scattered with fiction.
My thoughts – publisher’s pay $0.25 on the dollar (info from a published author friend). Amazon, I set the price but at any point in time they can reduce it to whatever they decide. Maybe I should send it to Oprah Winfrey? Or Rob Reiner? Or, Penny Marshall. I have been told that the stories are better than Seinfeld, and I hope that this was an honest review…
Good luck!
“So you’ve written a book, now what?” sounds more intimidating than “I want to write a book” but I am itching to get to that point. The publishers mentioned above – does that offering include editors, designers and marketing of your material? I’m curious to find out… I guess I have to ask myself if I’m writing to monetize or just to write…
I’m excited to find out what you decide to do… please keep me posted.
For publishers – and from my friend Cindy Sample – life becomes very busy when you are published. The number of speaking engagements she has to make are phenomenal! It becomes a full time job! She told me that unless you are like any of the biggies, you do not make a lot of money. Check her out – she writes murder mysteries that are great reads and contain humor! Her first book is “Dying for a Date.” If you have a kindle the cost is about $5; the regular price of her book is $16.95. Good luck!
Great post! And I have similar thoughts and wishes. I want to write 3 books actually. I’d like to write a children’s book but I’m more obsessed with finding the right illustrator than what the story or lesson will be… and then I want to write a book that will share all experiences working in media for the past 9 years. I fear this might be premature though. I’m only 33. And then of course, I’d like to write a best selling novel. About what I’m not too sure…
I’m going to take your advice and put my plans into action – well at least one of them…
That typewriter looks so delicious! I should like to write a book using that machine 😀
You’re 33, start today and by the time you get to my age you’ll be touring the country at book signing events! Action, not perfection… creates results. Perfection is a matter of opion and depends on one’s mood and state of mind so go with your desire of writing a best selling novel and put aside the desire for perfection… I’m just saying. Write your books and leave the clean up for the editors. I say go for it!
Thanks Christine ;D
Let me pop this baby out in a couple days and then I’ll focus on my next goal!
Congratulations to you ALL! I teach about having more self confidence everytime I teach, tutor, or mentor someone, and the whole bit in the business world. I think a bit of self-doubt is healthy. To have an open-mindedness for other suggestions, but that is exactly what they are suggestions. It is a subjective mode. Chrisitne, your comment, “action and not perfection…create results” is so true! More than half the battle is conceding with yourself that you can do whatever it is that you set your mind to do, and not over analyzing what it is that you should be doing or procastinating about doing it. I definitely wouldn’t have this mind-set if it weren’t for my mother…she is the world greatest spiritually hoped fed woman, she too is writing her story. She taught me that a soft godly-confidence is good, but this is quite different from a loud arrogance, and I am still learning the ability not to second guess myself from both parents…most times I do not. This attribute comes in handy. We have several writers in my business-entrepreneur meet-ups, and if you think writing is intimidating…how about our group cannot even think of a name to name our group.
My cousin told me of a story of a man who made a point of writing one page a day, and he achieved his goal by the end of the year with a complete book. As for grammatical errors and phrasing, who doesn’t have some issues. English is my first language and I still have this problem…so what’s up with that! Publishers will surprise you! I think once you’ve taken the initiative to do your god-given gifts, then everything else will come together. I frequently get blocks, I guess this is why I dabble in holistic medicine.
It’s so funny that you show that typewriter, because my father has one similar. My father is in his 80’s, and recently began using his typewriter; he likes older innovations more than his computer.
Staying focus is definitely the key!
My enemies… fear, self doubt, procrastination and expectation. I take it a day at a time and battle at least one of those daily but I do have moments of peace (it’s when the voices in my head stop arguing with each other) and clarity (detemined, direct and single focus that leads me to action), which are bridges I use to get me to where I want to go for the day, then eventually my destination. Thanks for your feedback. You are so right, focus is the key!
I love your post. I’ve been writing my whole life starting with poetry. I finished my second novel and am in the process of finding an agent. It’s a struggle every day but I do it because it makes sense. You’re a good writer Christine so enjoy it. I love the pictures too–I adore vintage typewriters.
Thank you, I’m glad you loved it. Come to think of it, I too started with poems, then songs and now working my way to a book. I wish you the best of luck in finding a great agent. Thank you again!