5 Great Reasons to Write a Book

I’m here to say that writing a book is good for the soul as long as your expectations are realistic. The chances of being a best selling author are probably worse than winning the lottery, but notice that the lottery’s notoriously slim odds doesn’t keep people from entering. If you write only for the pleasure of writing and keep your expectations in line, you will find much to commend it.

1.

A book gives you prestige and raises confidence. In my profession I am known as a print broker. Those in the graphic arts industry know what that is, but no one else seems to. The best I can expect after trying to explain what I do is an unenthusiastic, “Oh.” On the other hand if I say I am an author and starting an association of self-publishing authors, I get, “Wow, that’s great.” That is a big difference.

2.

A book allows you to say all the things that you’ve wanted to say. Whatever your experience or field of expertise is, don’t you just hate it when people get it wrong? The Stephen Spielberg movie called Catch Me if You Can, made me indignant. Toward the end of the movie Spielberg’s lead character was printing checks on a press located in France. It was all wrong. Checks are not printed the way they were portrayed and it made me question this movie, and frankly every other Spielberg movie made. Has he never visited a print shop?

3.

Writing a book is a pleasant pastime. I’m a morning person. I wake up a good two hours before anyone else in the house. Writing gives me an opportunity to jump start my brain. It is good exercise. Currently I write for two blogs (Talking Through My Hat and Chicken Scratchings), submit articles to Ezine, and am working on two books, one fiction, and one non-fiction. I also belong to the Utah State Poetry Society and have written two books of poetry. Many of our poets are older people. I’ve noticed some things they all have in common, their minds are sharp, and they love life. When I’m in my 70′s, 80′s, or 90′s if I can be like them I will consider it a great accomplishment.

4.

Writing fiction lets your imagination soar. Most of us in our daily lives have to deal exclusively with the mundane and routine details. It can get very boring. If you write fiction you can go anywhere, do anything, and experience things that are considered impossible. My wife writes a blog The Misty World of Arial Hollyberry. She has created a connection between a fairy world and our backyard. She writes in a serial style with each entry a continuation of the story. Arial Hollyberry has enriched our lives.

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5.

Writing is meditation. I don’t know about you, but my life seems to be like a runaway freight train. I find I have to react to situations far more than I would like. When I write, however, my mind is focused on my thought. It’s a kind of meditation. My wife complains sometimes that I don’t hear a question she asked. She’s right. When I’m in the writing space the rest of the world is cut off. Ah.

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What do you do once you have a book? You may want to find an audience. After all, what good is a book that no one but you reads? Learn how to use the Internet for book marketing the easy way through the Author’s Platform.

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  • http://www.ourlittlebooks.com/blog/ Julia

    I agree that a book can make you an instant expert in your field. You can give lectures and sell books in the back of the room. We publish little books with the idea that people love books but dont take the time to read them but might begin to read if chunked into small bites. A book can serve as a business brochure.
    I would like to hear more about the Red Hen Association. We have a small publishing company and I dont understand the bias against self publishing.

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  • http://www.kathycondon.info Kathy Condon

    My father was a great storyteller and it seems that I have inherited his skill. I have the ability to a paint a picture of a situation that connects me with my readers.

    My book “It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask” is full of real stories that make the business communication points that I am working to get across to people. I wrote the book the way I wanted to write it. No one was more surprised than I was when I won “Best Book Finalist USA Book News.”

    The lesson learned here. I am documenting my life and, by the way, it resonating with people. It is easy to read and readers can picture themselves in the situation. I am cultivating and sharing wisdom.

    Urge you to write about your life experiences.

    Kathy Condon, Executive Coach, Speaker and Trainer
    http://www.kathycondons.blogspot.com

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  • Carla Suson

    You forgot that writing is therapy. If you got sniped at by a customer or acquaintance, or can’t stand your in-laws, putting their character (disguised of course) into a fiction story and then exacting your revenge helps you tolerate them on a day to day basis. But it is more than that. When I’m depressed, the darkness can come out in literature. When I’m angry, a fictional someone else can go through a very rough time.

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  • http://smcarriere.blogspot.com S.M. Carrière

    I agree completely with this article as well as with Carla’s comment. Writing is definitely my meditation, imaginative escape and therapy all rolled into one beautiful little package.
    While I hope to get published, I’m keeping it real. One day I’ll get there.
    Thanks for this post. It made me smile.
    S.M. Carrière
    Author
    The Third Prince, Book 1 of the Great Man.
    http://smcarriere.blogspot.com

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  • http://shimlawalks.blogspot.com Sumit Vashisht

    I agree with all the points but do not think that book writing is a pass time act. I find it a a passion. If you want to be a good recognized writer then you have to be passionate to writing.

    Recently I came up with my first book called ‘Shimla Bazaar’ This has 24 short stories and is available all over India. On net you may surf it on http://www.kkagencies.co.in

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  • http://www.emergingsolutionsnow.com Roger

    My dad was an amateur writer and I’ve considered this in the last few years as I’ve written small pieces for magazine for years. A writer friend has encouraged me to pursue this and given me some tips. My questions is do publishers provide some type of template base so as I write the correct format for printing is automatic?

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  • http://www.InformationInANutshell.com Felice Gerwitz

    I have been a self-published author since 1994 and find I have gone through every emotion about the entire situation. I have been elated to have my first published book, dismayed that even with professional edits there is always one more “typo” to find, excited that my books have been ordered by libraries, been chosen as “required reading” by schools, and received notoriety as one of the top books in the industry (eight titles). So, where does that leave me today? I am an Independent Publisher with twenty-one titles, now work at publishing other authors, I consult, run a podcast on Blog Talk for authors, and enjoy reading posts by Bill Ruesch and others who know the industry.

    I am passionate about my work and feel to get ahead in this industry you need to hold onto that passion and strive for the best. Don’t skimp on money for editors, or good publishing advice. It will save you money in the long run.

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  • http://www.rodrigues-peters.com Carsten Peters

    Wow! How motivating and inspiring!
    I only translate children’s books into German. You inspired me to write a book myself.
    http://twitter.com/calutateo

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  • http://Savvy-Writer.com Rebecca

    Great article. I started to write a fiction book based on a short story I wrote, but I abandoned the project. I’m a very visual person and visualize everything. This is why I’m drawn to screenwriting because movies are about showing and not telling; dialogue is kept to a minimum. Since I visualize everything, it’s like having a movie theater in my head!

    I may go back to the project, but I’m not sure. I have another idea for a fiction novel, but I’m pondering it. I can write non-fiction, but fiction is a stretch for me.

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  • http://www.freedman-chicago.com Dave Freedman

    There is a glaring omission in your #1 reason for writing a book.
    You say “A book gives you prestige and raises confidence.” No, a crummy book or even half-decent book does not give you prestige. To get prestige you have to write an excellent book. Writing a crummy book is easy, and anyone can do it. Writing an excellent book is not easy.

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  • Bill

    Hi Dave,
    First I want you to know that I agree with you. I believe all authors should strive to be the best that they can be. I strongly encourage writers to surround themselves with the best editors, proofreaders, artists, and marketers they can find. Even a mediocre writer can be made better with the right support team. However, I disagree with your comment about prestige. Prestige, like love, means different things to different people. Your definition of prestige implies something very few will attain, but someone else’s definition might mean the respect of their family members, or people in their community. There is nothing wrong with being a local star.

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  • http://www.themarketingmindset.com Kathleen Gage

    Excellent information. I especially like #5 – Writing is Meditation. I find that when I get out of ego, into spirit, the writing flows easily.

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  • http://www.funwithphonicstutoring.net/ Betty Davis

    I have always had a passion for writing. I wanted to write and publish a book to help other parents, teachers, and caregivers teach their children to be better readers. The literacy rate in this country is appalling and I felt that by writing the book I would help improve literacy one step at a time.

       0 likes

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