3 Tips for Writing a Book

Have you ever thought about writing a book?

It’s been said there is at least one good book inside each of us, based solely on the experiences and life situations we’ve encountered. Even so, the thought of sitting down, and pouring out your thoughts, feelings, and personal anecdotes can seem extraordinarily daunting and overwhelming!

“The scariest moment is always just before you start.” — Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Glenn admitted he experienced overwhelm when he decided to check ‘write a book’ off his bucket list. Overcoming the hurdle of finding the time to get it done was a challenge in itself. BUT then he realized that people were counting on him. Workplaces needed his help. Leaders needed his support, and since he couldn’t be everywhere at once, writing a book was the easiest way to help the largest number of people.

Once Glenn decided that he was going to start (and finish) his book, he realized 3 Important Things:

1. Employ a Ghost-Writer – If you don’t have time to write it yourself, this can be a great solution to your problem.  Even though it’s someone else writing on your behalf, it’s much more personal than you would think. It may take some time to find the right one, but once you do, they will stay true to you, your story, and your voice.
2. Move Past Your Fears – Glenn’s fears were that his story wouldn’t have value or that nobody would read his book. It’s important to acknowledge these fears, but then learn how to let go and move past them. Once Glenn was able to do this, it became freeing. Also, after reading his first draft once through, he realized his story DID add value and would impact and change lives.
3. What Do You Want From It? – Before starting, you need to get down to the bottom of what you want to get out of writing this book. Do you want to add value? Do you want to change someone’s life? Do you want to leave an impact? Do you want to leave a legacy for your family? Dig deep for those answers! When you’ve figured those answers out, let them guide you.

It’s important to understand that there is no one right way to sit down and write a book. There are different methods to use, from crafting an organized outline to brain-dumping your ideas all at once before organizing them.

Through the process, there will be multiple drafts, and time needed for editing, revising, and even re-writing, but you CAN succeed if you possess the determination.

Take inspiration from these wise words, “There is no greater power on this earth than story.” — Libba Bray, The Diviners, because the world needs your story.