Writing a Book: Tips & Inspiration

“A creative life is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert

I have received so many questions about the process of writing a book that I finally figured it was time to create a helpful guide. There is typically intimidation and fear around starting the process, but there doesn’t need to be. If you are embarking on the journey of becoming an author, here are some of my favorite tips to give:

• Your words matter.

People often say to me, “I have nothing new or worth sharing to write. Who would want to read my book?”

There's no one better equipped to share your story than you. While countless books may cover the same topic, your voice brings a new dimension, painting a picture that's entirely your own. You have no idea who needs to hear your story and the impact that you might have on someone. (Plus, it’s none of your business.)

You matter. Your voice matters. Your story matters.

If you feel the call, you have a responsibility to share it.

• Avoid the urge to edit as you write your book.

Separate the creating process from the editing process. At first, just focus on writing. Get all your thoughts and ideas down before you start selecting what to keep and what to delete. Don’t re-read or edit until you’re done writing and try to avoid labeling what you write as “good” or “bad.” I found that editing while writing stifles the freedom of our creative expression. 

Sometimes we do our best work when we think no one’s going to read it because there is no pressure. The best writing is the most authentic writing. I have deleted some great things by trying to write and edit at the same time, making the process much longer and less successful.

• Talk to other authors. 

I didn’t have any knowledge about the publishing industry coming into it. After writing my book, I didn’t know what to do with it or where to go. I began networking and talking to anyone who had written a book to ask for their advice and experience. 

There are so many different options and routes you can take, which is overwhelming. You can self-publish, find a publisher, etc. On top of that, different publishers will often take royalties (find out how much) and some will come with marketing packages (while others will not). Amazon takes 60% of proceeds (shoutout to small businesses) but you will probably be able to reach a larger target audience outside of your circle through Amazon.

So you must decide what is most important to you. I chose to do the marketing for myself and have lower royalties, but my main concern was wanting to own the rights to my book, which I made sure of.

It was a Godsend that my life coach introduced me to her publisher and walked me through each step of the process and how she did it. I just followed what worked well for her. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel and you learn a lot along the way. It’s okay if, for your next book, you decide to make a few adjustments different from your first experience. You just keep learning.

• Don’t let fear of the time commitment stop you.

When I first started talking to other authors, I was told it would take a decade to write a book — but I wrote one in 4 months. I was told it would take 5 years to find a publisher who actually liked my work — I found one in 2 months. I was told I was getting into a competitive and impossible industry — but I found the process to flow smoothly, naturally, and quickly.

I had a book written and published in a year.

If you’re pushing off a project you’ve always wanted to do because of the time commitment, don’t listen to other people. You get to decide how long it takes. When your story wants to be out there, it will pour out of you quicker than you can ever imagine when given the space, energy, and blank pages.

• Write for you.

I recently listened to a podcast with author Kate Bowler and she was asked if she wrote her book to help other people. She said, “The truth is I was only trying to learn to be alive when my world felt so impossible. Writing can just slow everything down and make it shimmery again.” She wrote the book to survive. She wrote her book because she couldn’t help it.

Writing a book is the best gift you can give yourself because the writing process heals us.

You will impact people, but no one more than yourself. You will be a changed person from writing a book, whether you publish it or not.  (But please share it – the world will benefit.)

You will carry fear, desire, and inspiration with you as you write your book and publish it. You will come to meet the deepest and most insecure parts of yourself. You will come face-to-face with your ego and rise above it. You will meet self-doubt many times, and you will learn to laugh at it. You will write about things you’ve never spoken about, and it will heal you in ways you could have never imagined. Tears will fall from your eyes onto paper, practically writing the story for itself. And you will become a fuller and more whole version of yourself through the process.

Need more resources to get inspiration?

• Read the book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert.

  This is one of my favorite resources to have on you while in the creative process. I read this book while writing and publishing, and it changed my entire experience as I learned to take myself and my art less seriously. It helps you overcome your fears and urges you to create just for the sake of loving it. I couldn’t recommend a book more!

• Listen to the episode Becoming an Author on the Hearts Unleashed Podcast.

• Listen to the episode The Courage It Takes To Be Creative on the Hearts Unleashed Podcast.

If you have written a book, please share any additional tips you’ve found helpful in your own process in the comments to add to the list!