I have a lot on my blog about finding the time to write, writing right, writing tight, writing when you don't feel like it, and so on. But, until now, I have never written to those who are trying to decide if they'd even be interested in writing a book.
So, non-writer folks, this post is for you.
You may not feel as if know the English language (or whatever language you speak) well enough. Written language may have been difficult for you from elementary to high school and beyond. You just can't see yourself writing when writing has always been a struggle for you.
I get it.
I have the same issue with math. I only use it when I have to, and even then, reluctantly. But math is needed in life as is writing.
If you think you might like writing, if you just want to try it out, consider starting small. Maybe your first desire is to record an experience you had as a child. Perhaps you want to keep a journal of positive things that happen to you every day. Maybe you have this ache inside to share some of your trials and solutions so that others who come after you will see that there is still hope.
Writing a book is a bit like writing your heart, in fact, the best fiction books come from experience. They are shaped and grown through tears, hopes, and dreams.
You don't have to be perfect or even near perfect at grammar to write a book. That's what editors are for, and great reader friends who can give you honest feedback. You don't have to be perfect at writing characters, settings, or even scenes if there is someone you trust to help you through the difficulties of learning.
Sure, you never want to send a manuscript to a publisher that hasn't been polished or weeded. But neither do you want to wait until some imagined perfection lights on you to get it sent out. Those rejection letters can often spur you on to improve.
You might want to write a book to heal. To help others to see who you are. Nonfiction books are some of my favorites; so are self-help books. There can never be too many of them in my opinion. We all have unique experiences to share that no one has experienced in exactly the same way. I say 'exactly' because you want readers to connect, but not everything you've experienced will be theirs, and vice versa. Still, there will be just enough of you in them to connect them to you and feel the hope that they need.
You might want to write a book to make lots of money. Honestly, I wouldn't suggest this. If your heart isn't in book writing, you shouldn't do it. Find something else. If your desire is to spend your time mountain climbing, baking cookies or cross-stitching something new for your living room wall, do that instead. There are plenty of us that are interested in writing a book, and plenty more who have succeeded.
Do what you love, but if there is an aching desire to write a book, don't let excuses get in the way of starting. I've found that writing is the best therapy out there with the lowest expense. Sometimes, a pen and paper are all I need to get started.
