You’ve Started Your Book. But Are You Going to Finish it?

When I was a little girl I used to sit on a branch of the old apple tree in my backyard and lean against its comforting, thick trunk and scribble stories on the pad of lined paper I had dragged up into the tree with me. I would write far-fetched fantasies about magicians and magic stones, and long-winded poetry that was probably better for not having seen the light of day. I would write pages and pages in my diary. And I would write song lyrics.

But what I really wanted to do was to write a book…some day!

Maybe you have felt that way, too. Or maybe you know someone else who has.

Is Your Inner Writer Becoming Restless?

Some years ago I saw some statistics indicating that 80% of people in North America right now think they want to write a book – and you know who you are if your friends or family members have ever said “Hey – you should write a book some day.” And you agreed. Or if you’ve ever thought “I have GOT to put that in a book some day!” Or maybe you can feel your Inner Writer getting restless and you might not be ready to let him or her take the wheel yet, but you feel that vulnerable stirring inside that confirms that you are probably a Writer. Does that resonate with you?

If so, you’re in good company!

But of that 80% cohort of people who want to write a book “some day,” apparently only 40% ever start the project. That idea of writing a book sounds like a good idea but the majority of people who want to write a book, just don’t get around to it. They don’t have time, or they aren’t sure how to write a book, or they figure they’ll do it when the business is up and running, or when the kids leave home, or when they retire or Someday.

But 40% of the 80%, well, they actually open a file on their computer or pull out a new notebook and start jotting things down about what they want to put in their book. Maybe they tap out their Table of Contents or write an Introduction or scribble down a few anecdotes that they feel are important. They embark upon the exciting project of writing that book with stars in their eyes and dreams of fame and fortune in their heads and they get that project started like nobody’s business. And maybe that applies to you.

Writing a book is actually a pretty big project. And I once saw some statistics that claimed that only 2% of the 40% actually get around to finishing their book. That’s still a lot of people. And not every finished book ever gets launched on a road that leads to publication. But if you’re someone who is dreaming about becoming a published author, rest assured that you are in good company. And although it takes a huge amount of commitment, organization, dedication and imagination to complete a book manuscript, it IS possible. Plenty of people do it every year.

Here are some golden words to live by: Start your book. Work consistently on it. Believe in yourself. And don’t give up.

And if you feel I can be of assistance as either a book coach or editor in your book project, I invite you to get in touch with me through [email protected].