From 0 to 60…
Taking off is the hardest part of the writing journey.
This goes for newbies and advanced procrastinators, alike.
There is the roadblock of time. Do I have any to spare? There is the roadblock of getting started. What do I write first? There is the roadblock of confidence. Will anyone want to read this?
Ask me how I know this. (No, seriously. Ask me.)
If you asked me out loud, just know I’m laughing with you, not at you. Also, you just may be ready for a writing coach.
Here’s how I know about the difficulties of taking off:
My journey of writing started because I’d had so many crazy jobs and was trying my hand at promoting parties with two of my BFF’s. (For the record: I haaated promoting.)
While listening to me whine about quitting the promoting scene and about my lack of life direction, one of my best girls said, “Lee, you know you like to write. You need to make these stories into a book.” I was game, but those three roadblocks I mentioned before were in the way.
Finding Time
When would I write a book? How? I worked a really physical job in the early hours of the day and was out at night, sometimes “promoting.” So when I was home, all I wanted to do was eat and sleep. Some days, I didn’t even eat. I was that tired. Luckily I got fired and got a less physical job while still “promoting.” But because this new bug was planted, I started making time.
There was another issue.
Getting started
I wasn’t sure where to start. I liked writing letters and the occasional paper for school. I even made up little stories as a kid. But that’s it.
Guess what? These little bite-sized stories started to come out. They were all over the place. Literally. In this notebook. On that piece of paper. On this computer.
Until they became a screenplay. I asked some of my friends to read it and give me feedback. But who else was going to want to read my stuff?
Getting readers
I don’t really remember how I started blogging. But it was a fun way to practice my writing, to learn, and connect with other writers and bloggers and get a little feedback. Nothing technical, but I had readers!
But while blogging, there was this nagging subject that wouldn’t let me rest. From there, a story about a woman who was molested as a child sprouted from a seed to a full grown published book. There was a method to writing that one, too.
Over the years three more books, all about faith, were also birthed. Easily, at that. By now, I had the methodology intact. And a few more readers.
Help!
I started getting phone calls. They all said the same thing:
“I want to write a book. Can you help me?”
I’d say yes. And soon after, they had a clear vision and map for the book - where to start the trip, the roads and highways to travel, and how to pull up to the final destination.
And then I said to myself, “Lis. You really know how to do this.”
Guess what? I know how to help you do this, too.
Just like you…
At the start of my first writing projects there were delays because:
I didn’t think I had any time.
I couldn’t figure out how to get started.
I didn’t think anyone would want to read it.
The MAJOR lesson from blogging was that if you have something (honest) to say, people will read. You will find your tribe. They will find you.
The first book that I wrote changed how I looked at writing and finding an audience. How? Excerpts from my first book were used in support groups for teenage girls who were victims of sexual assault. It wasn’t a matter of wanting to read it. Someone thought those girls NEEDED to read it.
Someone needs your story, too.
Writing doesn’t require going from 0 to 60 at a crazy speed. But it does require you to shift out of park, into drive, and take your foot off the brake.
You have the time. I can help you get started. And there is someone out there who needs your book. * poof * Roadblocks gone.
It’s time to step on the gas!
Let’s step on the gas and move full speed into your writing destiny.
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