WANT TO WRITE A BOOK? GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY.
The wise words from Maria Murnane – “Sometimes when people I encounter find out I’m a writer, they share with me their own ambitions of writing a book. While some of these individuals go on to reach their goals, in my experience that’s usually not the case. I’ve lost track of how many times an aspiring writer has told me that he or she once started writing a book, but then for various reasons it went nowhere. Some of the most common explanations I hear include:
*I got too busy with work/family
*I wasn’t sure where the plot was going
*I was afraid it was awful
*It seemed like so much work
*I set it down and just didn’t pick it up again
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of the above, but here is the truth: Yes, they are reasons, but they are also excuses. It’s completely fine if you don’t finish your book or even if you never start your book. No one is telling you that you must write a book. It’s your life, and you should live it as you choose. But if you truly want to write a book, you’re the only one who can make yourself do it. That’s really all it comes down to.
Much like losing weight or getting (and staying) in shape, writing a book takes discipline and commitment over a long period of time. There are always going to be reasons for why you can’t eat right every day or work out every day. Always. But if you really want to lose weight by eating right regularly, you will. If you really want to be in shape by exercising regularly, you will. And if you really want to write a book, you will.
Writing a book is challenging and scary and not always fun. And once you’re done, there’s no guarantee that you’ll sell a single copy. But who cares? For the vast majority of authors, writing a book isn’t about the money. It’s about writing a book. So if you really want to be a writer, get out of your own way and make it happen. I promise you’ll be glad you did.” – Maria.
I found this the best piece of advice I have ever read…….it stopped my procrastination, my excuses, and made me DO IT!!
