Why You Don't Write Your Book
In the ten years that I've taught people how to get on with
their books and creative projects, I've noticed a phenomenon
that I'll call "Author's Block." Would-be writers can, indeed,
sit down and work when pressed to it. The problem is that
they're not so sure they want the pressure of being an author.
But they do want it. But they don't. And so on.
Ah, the agony of getting on with your book.
Well, I'm here to diffuse that situation with a list of the key
reasons we have trouble sticking to our writing or other
creative projects. Perhaps this will help the next time you find
yourself polishing doorknobs instead of sitting down to work.
Check all that apply to you:
You Lie To Yourself About Why You Can't Write The Book
You think your stalling is about lack of time, or too much
pressure at work, or not enough solitude in the evening. But
guess what? Chances are a deeper, darker reason may be at play,
like 'I'm not supposed to be bigger than Mom' or 'What if this
thing really takes off?'
You Fear The Impact Your Book Could Have
Sometimes when I coach writers in my Self-Help Author's Crash
Course I'll ask them what's impeding their progress. And after
some probing, it will come out that they're afraid of the big
exposure a book can have if it takes off. I'm here to assure you
that should that happen, (and chances are your book will not
unleash wild mobs of millions) you will be able to handle it.
How do I know? On that deep level where psyche meets karma, you
won't create a single reader more than you're ready to receive.
You Think Your Book Doesn't Matter, So Why Bother?
One writer I know put this succinctly: "I've tried getting up at
5AM to write, or staying up late, or even leaving my home, but
none of it works. I have this tired feeling that none of my
effort is going to amount to a hill of beans." In fact, writing
and publication can be an entirely self-determined activity
these days. If the publishing pundits don't go for your book,
there's always the option of self-publishing paperback editions
or e-books and selling them on online booksellers or your
website. In other words, your book DOES matter, and you really
have no excuse. (Acid test: if the book keeps on patiently
urging you to sit down and write it for months and even years,
chances are you'd better do it.)
You Think You Don't Know How To Write A Book
Guess what? Neither does any other first time writer. And that
may be a wonderful thing. As a beginner, you don't approach your
book project with a carload of professional expectations and
demands from your process. You can just be open, like