5 Excuses Every Aspiring Author Should Cross Off Their List This Year
“I’ve always wanted to write a book. But…”
Have you ever found yourself murmuring these words? If so, then you’re certainly not alone. According to writer Joseph Epstein, over 200 million people in the USA alone dream of writing a book. And yet, only around 10% will do so.
It’s a sobering statistic, yet one that is all too common.
As a best-selling author and book coach, I know first-hand that writing a book takes work; that pumping out your manuscript isn’t as simple as sitting by the ocean, laptop or notebook in hand, and feeling that lightning strike of inspiration run through you 24 hours a day.
Writing a book takes work, perseverance, and constant commitment.
But that said, it’s also not the ‘Mount Everest’ that many people make it out to be. From writing your book, to going through the publishing process and getting your ideas out into the world, it’s never been easier for everyday writers to go from ‘aspiring’ to ‘published.’
So, dear aspiring author, if you’re sitting here thinking: “You know what Jas? I’d really love to write and publish my book this year, but (insert excuse)…”, then this is for you: my top five excuses to cross off your list this new year.
Excuse #1: “I’m not a good enough writer. Besides, I didn’t even go to university, so what authority do I have to write a book?”
Okay, I’m going to let you in on a secret here.
Writing a best-selling book that changes lives and impacts the world isn’t really about talent. Nor is it about being the world’s greatest writer or having a university degree.
Take, for example, Constance Hall.
A self confessed ‘bogan’ who never went to university, Hall is the perfect example of what it takes to become a great author and write a book that touches thousands of lives.
She should know — she shot up the ranks to become Australia’s highest selling author in 2016.
And yet, if you were to glance through just a handful of her social media posts, you’d see very quickly that she’s not your average ‘polished and professional’ writer.
She never went to university, and her writing is often filled with typos and grammar mistakes.
However, there’s one very clear area that Hall is an expert in — and that’s storytelling. Vulnerable and personal stories that make her audience feel seen, heard, and accepted. Stories that solve her reader’s problems.
People follow her work and read her books because of how she makes them feel — not because of a university degree or impeccable writing skills.
Take a moment to think about the last time you bought a book. What was the number one thing you looked for? Was it a note in the author’s bio about where they went to university?
Likely not.
And that’s because, at the end of the day, book lovers don’t care about your credentials as a writer — they care about the story. And that’s why Hall has been so successful.
(That, and working with a professional editor.)
Hot tip: even the best writers out there all work with editors to craft and refine their writing. So don’t hold yourself back because you don’t feel like a good enough writer. It’s really not the crucial piece of the puzzle! You simply need to bring your real, vulnerable self to the table.)
Excuse #2: “It’s too time consuming. Writing a book takes years and I’m already busy.”
I get it; you’re exhausted. There never seem to be enough hours in the day and there’s always some problem that needs your attention. Overdue bills to sort out. Walls covered in sticky toddler handprints. Friendships that you’ve let slide while trying to keep up with your mental and physical wellbeing and everything else going on.
So it makes sense to put your dreams on hold, right? After all, doesn’t it take years to write and publish a book?
Truthfully, it actually doesn’t. Especially not if you get yourself a game plan, and do your research early on.
I know, because when I started writing my first book three years ago, I was currently working full time and pregnant with my first child.
I didn’t have a ton of time. I was exhausted. But I was also determined — and with that determination, I was able to finish writing my book in less than a year, with just one hour a day, several times per week. By the time my son was three months old, the manuscript was published and I had my first run of books printed and ready for shipping!
And that’s actually quite a generous timeline!
With the right support, particularly from a good writing coach and editor, you can actually have your book finished within a few months and ready for instant publishing through Amazon.
Also, don’t forget that many authors today work with a ghostwriter (a professional who does all the writing for you), which is another fantastic way to accelerate your writing while gifting yourself more time for work and play, better wellbeing, and overall, less fuss.
Excuse #3: “Getting traditionally published is way too hard, and self-publishing is too confusing. So why even bother?”
Let’s be honest: while many of us dream of being traditionally published, it’s a near impossible feat for a first-time author.
But does that mean that you’re all out of options and should give up? Absolutely not.
With the self-publishing industry increasing by more than 40% in recent years (Bowker, 2018), it’s never been easier for writers to get their books out into the world.
Likewise, self-publishing isn’t the ‘sub par’ backup option that many view it as. Rather, it can be a much smarter pathway to take for your book.
Not only do you retain full copyright over your IP, but you also stand to make much higher revenue from marketing and selling your book independently.
Furthermore, self-publishing is such a lucrative and smart option for aspiring authors these days that even many influencers and traditionally published authors are making the switch themselves.
(Take for example Turia Pitt, a best-selling author, speaker, and athlete who chose to self-publish her third book ‘Good Selfie’.)
So don’t be scared of self-publishing. It’s come a long way from ‘disastrous front covers’ and ‘cringe worthy titles.’ You just need to do your research, pick a reputable publisher, and choose the one that best aligns with your vision.
Excuse #4: “I’m not famous enough. Who would even want to read my story?”
Take a moment to think about the last book you read that you really enjoyed. Was it the author’s fame that changed and inspired you as a reader? Or was it the lessons you learned throughout the book and the way that the story and characters gripped you?
I’m going to take a bet that the author’s name and fame had very little to do with whether or not you enjoyed the book.
As a book coach, I’ve seen time and time again that often the most extraordinary stories come from the people who are not household names.
For example, out of all the clients I’ve worked with, there is one in particular that I hold dear to my heart — and that is a woman named Prema, who worked with me to share her story of creating a purpose-driven, joyful life after a severe childhood abuse.
It’s a story that has continued to touch my heart for many years, and one that has united and moved people all around the world.
And you know what? Not a single reader who has contacted me in the past three years to talk about Prema’s story has cared at all for how ‘famous’ or not she is.
Because a good book isn’t about the name attached to it: it’s the stories inside.
(After all, don’t forget that there are some truly terrible celebrity memoirs out there!)
Excuse #5: “Writing a book is too expensive.”
Okay, I hear you. Just like time, finances are another huge sticking point for many aspiring writers.
But what if I told you that you could write and self-publish your book for free? (Or close to it!)
If you’re on a budget, one of the easiest ways to get your book out into the world is through crowdfunding.
It’s an avenue that many authors these days use, and there’s no shame in doing so!
Speaking personally, this is how I published my very first book back in 2017.
In as little as two months, I had rallied enough support to take my manuscript to print, and it truly was a special moment to hold my books in my hands for the first time and begin to receive reviews from around the world.
Particularly, from readers who — had I not gotten creative and reached out for community support — would have missed out on many of the lessons that came to them through reading my book.
(Hot tip: As far as platforms go, I thoroughly recommend Chuffed.org. It’s a simple, professional and user-friendly platform, and best of all they don’t take any fees from your donations.)
Finances aside, a more important question is this:
What is the cost of not writing and publishing your book?
What will it cost you, on a deep soul level, if you reach the end of your life and realise that you never wrote your book, never shared your stories, and never created the impact or legacy that you’ve always dreamed of?
It’s a thought that none of us really want to touch on, but one that we must. Each of us walk our own unique path, and hold within us our own unique dreams. Don’t waste them.
At the end of the day, writing a book isn’t about being the next JK Rowling or Mark Manson. It’s about having a story inside of you that your audience will connect with — and reaching out when you need support, in order to refine and craft your message until it’s perfect.
There will always be an abundance of excuses and reasons that come up as you go forward with your writing journey.
But none are valid enough to stop you from achieving your goal. All you need to do is begin. And then tomorrow, begin again. Continue on until eventually, that book that you’ve dreamed of for so long is no longer an idea in your head, but a copy of bound pages in your hand.
Make this year, the year you commit to finally writing and publishing your book.
