As the saying goes, everyone has a book in them. The cashier at your local grocery store, the driver at the 3:00 PM bus stop, the office worker grinding from 9 to 5 – each of them has some kind of story they can share.
You have a book, too. Maybe you’ve already realized this and marked it down on your bucket list: Write a book.
According to BucketList.net, “write a book” is one of the Top 20 ideas people add to their aspirations. However, few people act on it. In 2021, OnePoll conducted a survey of 2,000 Americans, over half of which claimed they had a good idea for a novel. Out of those, only 15% actually started writing their book and only 6% had reached the halfway point.
The gap between dream and action appears from one simple problem: commitment. That’s it. Nothing else is stopping anyone from starting and (this is important) completing a novel. You don’t need a certain level of education. You don’t need to attend a writer’s convention, a workshop, a camp, or retreat. You don’t need a big network. Any of those things might be nice, of course, but they aren’t essential. An estimated 158 million books exist in the world. Millions more are added each year, from start-up business owners to stay-at-home moms to bored teens on summer break.
If they can do it, you can too.
How to cross off “write a book”
To transform your dream into reality, you have to have a plan. If you are someone who prefers to see where things take you, don’t worry. Your plan doesn’t have to be detailed. You just have to follow four steps:
- Make the decision to write
- Decide what to write about
- Create time to write
- Write
Let’s break these down.
Step 1: Make the decision to write
So you have “write a book” on your bucket list, but you haven’t done it yet. You haven’t even started. Is it because you don’t have time to write? That’s what you tell yourself, isn’t it?
That’s false. There is time for everything if you make it a priority. But we’re not at that step yet. Right now, we’re thinking about the decision.
Think about the project that’s been in the back of your mind, maybe for years. What is it? What do you dream of writing? Are you prepared to take on the challenge of writing it, despite everything else going on in your life?
If you’re waiting for a sign, here it is: You can do it. The only reason you haven’t done it yet is because of the choices you have made. But you can commit to it. You can start today even.
Why write a book?
You may be wondering what the point of writing a book is. There are many reasons, whether personal or professional. You could write a book because you want to:
- Tell your story
- Share your knowledge and skills
- Connect with others
- Improve your imagination
- Increase your writing skills
- Build your self-confidence
If you’ve committed to writing (or even if you haven’t), stop and think about the reasons why you want to write a book. Is it for money? For fame? For a sense of purpose or accomplishment?
Once you understand what you’re in this for, make a list of your Top 5 goals for writing. These could be anything from “learn how to write” to “find a writing partner” to “make it 50% through a first draft.” Writing things down gives you focus and pushes you that much closer to committing to an idea.
Your writing journey will see ups and downs. Keep this Top 5 list with you through it all and look at it regularly to hold yourself accountable to your goals. This way, you’ll go further than that 15% who stopped writing when the initial drive faded. You’ll accomplish more than them: you’ll finish what you started.
Step 2: Decide what to write about
Inspiration comes in many forms. You can find it in your personal life, your family history, a historical figure you admire, or even your favorite games or movies. There is no concrete method to come up with an idea. You can explore themes or focus entirely on what kind of character you want to write about.
Once you have your idea, create an outline. In the writing world, you will hear the words “plotter” and “pantser” a lot. A plotter is someone who plans what they will write about. A pantser is someone who writes as things come to them – literally, someone who writes “by the seat of their pants.” As you gain writing experience, you’ll find that no one is 100% a plotter or a pantser. Everyone is some combination of the two. Your outline should act as a guide (that is as detailed or vague as you like) that you can reference as you write, which serves to give you direction and focus. Create the outline that works best for you.
Step 3: Create time to write
One of the most common dilemmas creative people find themselves in is coming across their big idea in the wild. They keep this idea close for years, never acting on it but always saying “one day.” Then, one day they watch a movie, read a book, or visit a gallery and find someone else has already turned their idea into reality.
Don’t be that person. Act on your idea today.*
It’s easy to fall into the trap of waiting for the right moment to start writing. Some time when all the kids’ homework is done, or when you’ve finished that project you’ve brought home from work, or when there are fewer errands to run. These are all excuses. If you wait for an ideal moment, it will never arrive. You have to carve it into your schedule.
It is a luxury for someone to write as a full-time job. Most people don’t have that kind of time. However, many successful authors find the time to write in the wee spaces of the day. These look like the hour you spend on the bus ride home, the ten minutes waiting in line, lunch break at work, waking up before everyone else to write, or staying up after everyone else to write.
Look at your schedule. Where can you make time to write, even if it’s for five minutes?
*It’s worth noting that even if this situation already describes you, you can still write that story! No two stories, even if they share the same premise, are exactly the same. You still have something worth sharing.
Step 4: Write
This is one of the hardest steps, but you can do it. Don’t jump right in, though. Instead of tackling a 70,000-word novel as your very first project, try starting out small. Write an article or blog post. Experiment with short stories and ebooks. Move on to novel-length projects when you’ve gained some experience and have a better idea of what you’re working with.
Tips for your writing journey
- Make a plan: Having a plan – whether it’s a detailed, multistep process or a bulleted list – can guide you and keep you on track when you feel demotivated or lost.
- Enjoy the process: Writing should allow you to explore your creativity. Try to ditch any unrealistic expectations before you start, so that you feel satisfied with any outcome.
- Gather your support team: Whether it comes from a partner, family member, friend, or fellow writer, support is necessary. No matter how personal the writing process is for you, you can’t do this alone. Your support person or team is a vital tool for bouncing ideas back and forth, receiving feedback, or finding encouragement.
- Stick to your self-care routine: If you are not okay mentally or physically, your productivity and creativity levels will decrease. Make sure you are well-rested and are receiving all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Eat well-balanced meals. Participate in activities that rejuvenate you, like spending time in nature, jogging, journaling, or taking a long bath.
Face challenges head-on
Writing is hard. Dreaming about holding the finished copy of your first book is the easy part; the real test lies in overcoming the challenges that come up in the writing process. It’s not for everyone, but if writing is something you truly adore, the commitment will be worthwhile.
Keep in mind that any good book is made in the editing stages. That’s what stops many people from crossing off their bucket list item “write a book” – they have a misconception that they should get it down perfectly on the first try. To meet your goal, start with the first draft then learn about what comes after.
Remember, a bucket list is a living document. It holds part of your identity: your dreams and goals. Once you tick off one time, you have room for even more incredible things. If you finish a book, what are you capable of doing next?