A Not So Secret Secret

I secretly (well, not so secret anymore) want to write a book. You think after being a Journalist for 21 years this would be an easy goal. It’s not. I have spent 21 years editing stories so they are compact, accurate and to the point. Writing a book requires you to embellish, create and develop characters. It's totally different. I have also been paralyzed with fear about it for some years now…. Sayyyyying I want to write a book- but doing very little writing. That is… until recently.

Little did I know it all started a year ago- when I began my journey back to fitness. I found the strength, confidence and mo-jo I forgot I had. I worked hard and accomplished so many goals in that area last year. So, when December rolled around and I was focusing on how to take up my fitness a notch I again addressed my desire to write a book.

And then it hit me! I thought about what made me so successful in my fitness and I had to translate it into my writing.

*I set clear S.M.A.R.T. goals

*I put the work in--- even when I didn't feel like it

*I trusted in the process

So simple! I didn't wait until January to start- it was the middle of December and I started. I was kinda like Forest Gump and running--- I just kept writing and writing and writing… and then I wrote some more.

I am currently on chapter 13 of my first book! This is the first draft. I’ve grown so much as a writer that I absolutely think my first chapter stinks…. But I’m writing! My creative juices are flowing and I’m doing the work and trusting in the process. I’ve brainstormed several other book ideas and can’t wait to dig into those characters. And in honor of one of my favorite movies “What About Bob”… I feel like strapping myself to a sail boat (because a book wouldn’t do it justice) and saying “Doctor Leo Marvin--- I write! I write! I’m a writer!”

Now you may be wondering when you will see 'said' book I am writing. Who knows. Probably never. I don’t think it’s very good at this point. I need to edit and revise, then get some beta readers… and on and on before I even make it to publication. But this is all beside the point. All the time I was paralyzed with fear about writing because I was thinking about writing for other people. This book I am writing for myself—and that was when the flood gates opened and the words came.

Just like exercising and eating right- if you do it for someone else… you won’t succeed. It was an Oprah "Ah Ha" moment. I am writing for myself and I am succeeding. Perhaps one day I will write something for publication. You will be the first to know when it comes out. Even sharing this secret with you is kinda big in my world… big in a scary, exciting way! Thanks for letting me tell you a secret.

GoodReads

Do you know about the website goodreads.com ? Well- it's basically the Facebook for readers. It's a wonderful place to connect with your friends who like to read. You can review your books, look at your friends reviews and see how many you have in common. You can also explore the world of books and find recommendations that fit your favorite genre.

I ebb and flow when it comes to reading. A couple times a year I really go at it and devour a whole bunch of reading. Then I come across a book that truly turns me off to reading for several months. I'm not sure what spurs either reaction.

Right now I'm in a reading frenzy. I just read the 2 book series Hollowland. The first book is free on Kindle right now. I loved it. It was about a teenage girl who fights zombies and crazy people as she travels the country looking for her brother. I know- it sounds kinda crazy- and I love it. It's from an author named Amanda Hocking who I'm sorta loving right now because she inspires me.

See- I'm a closeted author. Right now I'm just writing for fun- just for me. I initially started writing with the thought that I would write a book to publish but I found I was stuck. I was afraid to write to reserve. I was afraid to write to risque. I was wanting to write something that you would want to read- not something I would want to write. I was a mess. I was looking for advice and I came across Amanda's very open discussions on being an author. She said write what you love, for yourself and write all the time because you love it not because you want to publish it. That freed me from my block and I immediately started writing- for ME! Who knows- one day I will write a book I will want to publish- but right now it's mine. Keeping my writing for my own private world has opened the floodgates of my writing. I'm thinking creatively all the time now. It's amazing.

She did that for years- wrote for herself. Not a single traditional publisher accepted her when she finally stuck her neck out there and dreamed of being a published author. Then she self published and became one of the elite who has made a million dollars (more now) through self publishing on Amazon! Her determination to write something for herself has turned into a love for others and I'm so inspired by that. Oh and guess what- now she has a traditional book deal for just 4 books- that comes in at 2-MILLION dollars! Go girl!

I recommend you download her first book in the series Hollowland while it's still free. There are a few typos. Be ready for that- but to be honest- the story was so fun I didn't care. I really didn't care. I'm sure it drove her nuts- because it would drive me nuts too. You want to put your best foot forward. My point is though- the content over rides the error. It's a fun campy story with a simple, straight forward style that I love. The second I was done reading book #1 I had to download book #2! That's how they get-cha! $2.99 more towards her millions. Heck- I'm glad I can help!

You can find suggestions on her books and many other authors that you never might hear about- on the website good reads. I suggest you click on over there and check it out. Connect with me and be my friend there. I'd love to see what you're reading.

Also click on over to see what book I'm reading now. I'm trying a different era- and I'm kinda digging it.