Fake It ‘Til You Make It: One Writer’s Path
I keep receiving emails about writing a book in 90 days or over a weekend. This quickly conceived and written book, I am told, will earn me hundreds and thousands of dollars. While I sit at my computer, the clock is ticking. Money is slipping through my hands because I do not have a book. And, according to these book experts, I can have one in just a few weeks.
So why do these mailings disturb me?
Sure, you can write a book in 90 days. Some people have written one in 30 days. But writing a substantial book to me is something else. It’s a sacred experience, a profound and life-changing journey, and if you just view it as a race to the finish line, then I believe you’re missing out on the 10 main reasons to write a book.
1. By staying curious and open in the process of writing your book, you will stumble on deeper and greater truths. This may slow you down, but it will also make you a wiser person and better teacher.
2. There are always many ways to express an idea, but finding the one that really speaks to your audience can take time. I think it’s worth the time.
3. There are so many books out there, just putting one more into the mix doesn’t seem that important. Creating a book that has something new to say can take quite a bit of digging and exploration, but it will allow you to offer something real, and valuable, and unique.
4. Writing is a creative art, and creativity is chaotic. While deadlines and commitment are important, if you don’t allow yourself to follow the unexpected paths that emerge, you’re missing the magic.
5. Challenging yourself to write the very best book possible honors your readers’ time.
6. Forcing the creative process into a linear, production-line format will produce more books, but less value.
7. Writing, at its best, is a spiritual path. If writing your book didn’t change you, then how will your book change others?
8. We live in a world of superficiality and endless chatter. Having a book shouldn’t be as easy as having a business card. It should stand for the very best of you.
9. Making big money from a book can happen, but it won’t happen overnight. If you’re writing a book just to get rich, you’re on the wrong track. Write it to become rich in knowledge, wisdom, and artistry.
10. We live in critical times. The wisdom we have inside of us is desperately needed. While we don’t want to take forever to write a book, isn’t it worth making a book more than just another item on your marketing checklist?
If you can achieve the above in record time–more power to you. But if not, you might just want to take a breath and slow it down!
So why are you writing your book? Or why did you write your book? And how long is it taking (or did it take)?
And don’t miss out on the early bird special for my Write the Damn Book Workshop, March 16 and 17, in Novato, California. For more information, and to register, please go to my Write the Damn Book website. Or email me at info@writethedamnbook.com.
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Thanks for expressing my views on the book-in-a-month phenomenon so eloquently. I particularly like what you say about honouring the readers’ time by writing the very best book possible. Great blog.
Thanks, Helen. I really believe we should strive for excellence as well. Are you writing (or have you written) a book?
Some great advice Mary and I really love your comment that if the ‘book didn’t change you, then how will it change others?’ I’m among those writing a book and it is a life changing experience on many levels.
And I’m with you on the subject of ‘do-it-get-rich-quick’. Total rubbish!
Carolyn,
I’d love to hear what your book is about and how writing it is changing you. Thanks for sharing here.
I loved this blog. I’ve written short stories and am now working on a ‘book’. It is all of what you said and more . During the research for accuracy…you glean tidbits for another story. The whole process grows from a kernel of an idea into a mature fully formed ‘plant’.
Cynthia, I love how you describe the evolving creative process.