I Want To Write A Book

I Want To Write a Book

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard people say those words or similar words to me.  They want to share their thoughts, knowledge, experiences or creativeness in book format.

To start this blog, allow me to say – I would never step on someone’s dream intentionally.  If writing a book is YOUR dream and you feel lead to do it……then have at it.

Not long after I wrote my second book, I shared my excitement with my coach and mentor Charlie “Tremendous” Jones.  Charlie grabbed my hand and walked me around his book store.  Then he slapped me over the head.  And, in that famous Charlie gruff sounding voice, he said, “There’s a whole store full of books no one is reading and you wrote a book.  You want to be successful, get more people to read books.”

I walked away with a mental limp.  I had hoped for some praise and adoration.  What I got was love and good advice wrapped in a hard truth.  As the day wore on, Charlie’s words made more and more sense.

So, now YOU want to write a book. 

Let me ask – is it your story you want to get out to the world?  Or do you want to make money off of your story? 

You see, getting a consumer to part with their hard earned money and actually BUY your story, whether it is in paperback, hard copy or e-edition is a really hard thing to do.  Sure you see all those books at the chain stores put out by the big publishing houses……and visions of sugar plums dance through your head.

The truth is there are far more books at the supermarket dollar bin and at the dollar store that somehow did not attract the consumer than there are best sellers.

If you have the money, realizing your dream may be easier.  First you will need a writer or editor – mainly because the average Joe on the street has no idea how to write.  Next you will need a proof reader.  Their critical eye can be a real asset to your book being professionally written.  How about an illustrator?  Yes, that will be more money.  You can get anything published through a variety of self publishing houses.  Then you will need the book to be marketed….more money.

Oh and you’ve always dreamed of doing a book signing.  You will need to purchase a few hundred copies of your book .  Once you have spoken to the local book store reps, you can schedule a date.  Tote those few hundred books in your car (yes, the book stores will allow you to do autographs as long as there is no risk to them).  Now you sit at the table with the blue apron and hope someone buys your book.  In the mean time – several people ask you where the bathrooms are located.  Others inquire about Aunt Susie’s favorite author….assuming you work at the book store.

One must take a solid look at the book they have written and market to the audience the book targets.  Not everyone is interested in purchasing “The Cat Whisperer” with its cutesy feline photos.

What’s that?  You thought the publisher’s did all that. 

Big name publishers rarely take on new clients.  And, when they do – it is usually someone who has already had several works published.

You can submit manuscript after manuscript after manuscript to every publisher in the U.S.  Be prepared for form rejection letters.

Writing is a crazy business.

A few years ago, one of the top mystery writers spoke at the podium after winning Mystery Writer Of The Year.  He said, “This is such a strange business.  Tonight I am being honored for being the best mystery writer of the year.  This morning I received 6 rejection letters from publishers telling me I did not know how to write.”

Should this discourage one from writing?  I hope not!

Writing is first and foremost therapeutic.  It’s an outlet.

As a person who has made money in writing – I thought it fair to paint the true picture for you.  Kind of like Charlie did for me.

If you love to write – do it daily.  Also, it is important to have several projects on several topics in varying stages of production going at one time. 

Doing so will prevent lost time – known as writer’s block.

Also, keep in mind, you can only write about what you know.  Writing about something you know nothing about is certain doom.  And, it offers no internal reward.

Research your topic.  You may think you know a lot – but learn more.

Plan on it taking a year or more from concept to finished product.  Many authors take 5 years to complete a work.

Happy writing.  

Ron