“Writing a book can forever change your life.” A writer friend expressed this observation in an email I received from her over the weekend. It really struck me. I wrote it down, circled it, highlighted it and thought about it many times throughout the day.
How profound, I thought. How absolutely true. And how dare I or anyone else discourage someone from writing his or her story just because they aren’t willing to follow publishing protocol? Yet, isn’t that what we do when we begin our rhetoric on the right way to write and publish our books? And, oh yes, let’s don’t forget how we teach and preach that every author MUST gear up for the enormous job of marketing.
What we, as professionals, forget sometimes is that not everyone wants to become big time published authors, nor are all writers cut out for it. Some writers just want to tell their stories, entice a few readers and give a copy to their beloved community libraries.
For some writers, being encouraged to enter the hugely competitive publishing industry, when they only want to write for the joy of it, is like forcing a baby to drive a car or take up skiing. A writer, whose desire doesn’t go beyond simply holding his book in his hands, may not have any interest in or any business trying to build a brand. He just wants to write and be acknowledged for his work by members of his writing group, family and friends. Maybe he doesn’t aspire to experience fame and fortune and he shouldn’t be encouraged or forced to.
It’s a strange concept for me (an author who is driven) to comprehend, but there are writers who are content just writing for themselves. And this is okay. Sometimes I wish this were me. But I’m still carving out a living through my writing and editorial work, so writing purely for the pleasure of it is still foreign to me. Thankfully, though, I adore what I am doing. I absolutely love the process of writing (couldn’t survive without it). I thoroughly enjoy teaching, coaching and mentoring other aspiring writers. And it’s hard for me to remember that not everyone has my level of ambition. So when I’m reminded to take a look around and consider the variety of writers with their variety of motivations, I appreciate the opportunity.
The fact is that not every book is destined for bestsellerdom. Nor is every author interested in being groomed for the big time. And it is important for teachers, coaches and mentors to allow authors the freedom to create the book and the publishing environment they desire.
I must train myself to ask every potential client who comes to me and every individual who asks for my advice or information, “What are your goals with this book?” “What is your purpose for this book?”
Actually, I prompt authors to ask themselves these questions, but maybe I need to listen to their answers, as well, before I start nudging them into a situation they don’t want and can’t handle.
I certainly spell it out in my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book, I say that, “Publishing is NOT for everyone.” Even those who want to hold their finished book in their hands, may want nothing beyond that. And why should this author be deprived of (discouraged from) living his dream? What is writing, after all, but therapeutic/cathartic, liberating, healing and/or energizing? Writing can touch one at the soul level. It’s a creative outlet and it is an absolute necessity for some of us.
Yes, writing a book can be forever life-changing in any number of important ways and every author must be allowed and encouraged to take the steps necessary toward his or her specific goal. If the pure joy of accomplishment and the opportunity to share with just a few people are your goals, then you would take one publishing path. But if you truly want to experience bestselling status or you envision sharing your message with many thousands of people, you must take a more seriously professional path in order to meet your goals.
NEWS FLASH – Discount
I’m offering my on-demand, online courses this month at a discount. Sign up this week: August 4 through August 10 (2008) and get any one of my four online courses at a 15% discount. That would be just over $100 for the Book Proposal Course and the Article-Writing Course, $136 for the Self-Publishing Workshop and $170 for the BRAND NEW 6-week Book Promotion Course. (The discount will be initiated at the time your card is manually charged (or, of course, you can send a check). You will receive a receipt.)
Check out the courses and be sure to click on “How does an online class work?” http://www.matilijapress.com/courses.htm
Email me at PLFry620@yahoo.com with questions.