Do you want to write a book? If so, you are in good company. I heard someone say that 80% of people want to write a book. I was curious how accurate that was and quickly looked up, "What percentage of people want to write a book?" I found a couple different surveys, one said 79% and another said 81%. So I think it is safe to say that approximately 80% of people want to write a book.
Let me ask you a question; have 80% of people you know written a book? I'd guess probably not. Unless you work with many writers or network with them, probably just a handful of people you know have written a book. Why? Because writing a book is hard! Even as someone who enjoys writing, I don't pretend that sitting in front of a computer trying to put thoughts onto paper is easy. It takes serious self-control to sit down and do it. So, how does someone do it? They must have a WHY.
There must be a reason that gives a writer the nudge to keep going. If you don't have a good reason to start a book, you won't have a good reason to finish one.
Most people when they decide that they are going to write a book, ask the question, "How do I write a book?" But the reality is, before you ask how to write a book, you must ask yourself, "Why do I want to write a book?"
Perhaps, you just have a big ego, and you think that being an author will let everyone know how great you are. (That's a terrible reason. When you hit that first wall of writer's block, you won't continue – but if that's your attitude, it's probably better that way.) Below are much better reasons to write a book.
Perhaps, you have a message that you believe desperately needs to be shared with as many people as possible. If so, then the message of the book is your WHY. Perhaps, you enjoy writing, and you decided that the best way to provide for your family and be with them is to write fiction stories from home. In this case your family is your WHY. Another reason could be as a business man, you want to "sell" your ideas to those who read your book, and thus create further income not necessarily from the book sales, but from what your book convinces people to buy or invest in. In this case, increasing your business is your WHY (or increasing your business is a means to your WHY).
There are so many potential reasons why you may want to write a book. Your job is to find a reason that will keep you motivated before you start your book. This way, when it gets hard, when it costs you more time or money than you expected, and when you get editing marks all over your draft, you will have a great reason to keep focused and complete the book.
Simply put, people who finish their books have reasons to finish them. What's your reason?
Joel Collison is the founder of Now Written Christian Books and an editor and coach for aspiring authors through Authorize.
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