We all know the old saying, “Everyone has a book in them.” While there’s no question that everybody has something to share with the world, many authors (even well-established ones!) wrestle with nerves and insecurities around actually writing and publishing that book.
At Reach, these are some questions new writers bring to us.
“Is my book good enough?”
“Do you think people will enjoy reading it?”
“Is my book worth publishing?”
There are two sides to this question. First, the writing. Veteran authors as well as newcomers will describe how working on their books has helped, healed, and taught them. Writing is a personal journey, transforming the author’s hidden, inner world into something that can be shared with and understood by others. There’s magic in that transmutation, and a lot to learn just by going through the process. Even old, discarded drafts have much to teach you—without ever seeing the light of day.
The second side to the question is publishing. Sharing your book with others in its published form is the more public reward for what is already a transformative and highly valuable process. Every individual brings their personal perspective and individual experience to whatever topic they choose to cover. Whether you are writing a business manual, a memoir, a poetry collection, or a work of fiction, you never know who your work will resonate with, and who you will enrich by publishing it.
Writing a book is hard work, and publishing adds another, completely separate and equally demanding leg to the journey. It’s important to remember that while many people talk about writing and publishing a book “some day”, very few actually do it. This means that simply finding the courage, time, and discipline to sit down and work on that first draft gives you membership to a very small and courageous club. Whether your book becomes a bestseller or is only read by your family and friends, you achieve something remarkable the moment you dare to create it—and share it with the world.
“Should I write my book?” you ask us.
The question we have for you is, “What are you waiting for?”
