I’m holding a book writing open house and introductory program in Narragansett Friday and I got a very interesting e-mail from someone who had inquired early and wanted me to know that she couldn’t attend because she’d be 20 minutes late.
I pointed out we’d probably all be filling our plates at that time and she was welcome to join us late. She replied that the weather would have the final word on whether she could come.
I double checked the predictions. Yup. Sunny. Big icon of a pointy-rayed sun on the weather chart. Wassup?
So I asked her point blank, “Are you committed to this book? Your e-mails make me think something is holding you back.”
She told me she didn’t want “the bother that’s involved in getting it published.”
Okay, I get it. Most people are intimidated by something outside their comfort zone. That’s human nature.
Let me tell you about Pat Hastings. She felt an inner calling to write her book, Simply a Woman of Faith, even though she didn’t think she could write. She asked for guidance and support and found it. And then she wrote a beautiful book that has literally saved people’s lives, as they tell it!
But after she wrote it, she realized she had to publish it and she knew nothing about that. So she educated herself, chose self publishing and figured it out step by step, also with support and guidance from others who’d walked the path before.
And then she realized she had to market this book. She was a substance abuse counselor (for at least two decades) at the time. Marketing?
But she took that step, too, and the strangest thing happened. She fell in love with marketing her book. She loved meeting new people. She relished the connections she made in every encounter with readers, fellow-authors, speakers and radio and TV hosts she met along the way. She marveled at the synchronicities and the stories people told her of the difference her book made in their lives.
She didn’t do this all at once. Just step by step.
Some of my other clients and students choose the traditional publishing path. It’s intimidating. It’s completely out of their comfort zone. They do it anyway. They get the guidance and support they need and they get agents and publishing contracts because they’re willing to learn something new.
I really don’t think we come to the earth school to do it all alone. We’re here to learn from each other, to share our experiences and to help each other along the path.
So, stop resisting. If you truly feel called to write a book, embrace the new experiences you’ll need, step-by-step, and with loving, experienced guides and kindred-spirits by your side. You CAN do it.
In the spirit of community, I hope you’ll join me and Linda Joy tomorrow, Wednesday, February 2 for Birth Your Book: From Inspiration to Published Author. It’s a free teleseminar and you’ll not only receive guidance about writing your book and developing your following so you can publish and reach readers, but you’ll get a sense of that community when you join the 600 or so aspiring authors who’ve signed up for the call!
PS If you’re interested in the open house on Friday at noon in Narragansett, RI, please e-mail me at bookcoach at lisatener dot com for directions. We’re holding it right after my book writing class and you’ll have a chance to meet some of my current students and hear their stories–including Anne Burnett who recently signed a publishing contract!
