Have you ever aspired to write—perhaps you’re already writing? Susan Rushmore said, “I think there’s a story inside every one of us.” The challenging part is getting that out onto paper, creating something that others will enjoy reading, and then finding a publisher who will accept your work.
Self-Publishing
You also have an opportunity to self-publish. This means you don’t necessarily need to find a publisher who agrees your manuscript is worth investing in—you can do it all by yourself!
Printabook is a company in New Zealand that helps authors prepare their manuscript for printing. They have a free book you can order off their website: Print a Book – a Guide to Self Publishing. It’s a small book, easy to read and full of useful information. A variety of topics are covered, including launching and selling your book, e-books, paper choices, etc. If you’re even considering going down this path, I recommend you get one for yourself. No doubt there are other, similar options available that you could find with a Google search.
So tell me, have you ever wanted to write a book? Have you ever dreamed that maybe, one day, you would sit down and put all those memories onto paper. Or perhaps your dream has been more along the lines of a “how-to” e-book, or maybe a biography or a children’s story. The success of Harry Potter 18 years ago no doubt sent many people racing to their keyboards, wondering if that story inside their head could be just as successful. Well, it could!
Just Write
The only way you will ever find out is to write it. Procrastination has killed many a vision, and waiting for the perfect opportunity could mean that your dream will never be realised. There will always be a reason why you should not start today—why you should wait until after this happens, or that happens. You’re too busy, or too broke, or too young … or too old! None of these are valid excuses, of course. If you have a story inside you, the best place for it is on paper. Just write. If you’re thinking you don’t know how to write, learn! NZ Institute of Business Studies provides writing courses that train you in the skills of writing. I recommend them as an organisation that seriously wants you to succeed. Set yourself some goals and make the decision that it’s going to happen. Make sure you set a date by which you intend to start—and finish. A goal without a deadline is just a dream.
What Next?
So now you’ve written your story and you’re not sure what to do next. It’s your baby. Freshly born. Fragile. You’re feeling very protective. All this is quite normal. You don’t want anyone to read it just yet. Perhaps you feel any suggestions for changes would be critical of you and your writing style, and you’re not quite ready for that possibility. So your story sits in the drawer.
Find a Good Proofreader
Know this: It is YOUR story. You are the author. You have the final say. Proofreaders do not change your story. They work with you to help you express yourself more clearly, to ensure there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors in your writing. Your story is no better off in the drawer than it is in your head. Why did you write it? Didn’t you want someone to eventually read that baby? Who’s going to read it while it’s hiding in the cupboard? Take a deep breath. Decide what outcome you want for your writing: to be published and read? Or hidden away—never even given a chance—languishing in a drawer for the sake of . . .? Identify what the problem is here: Is it pride? Fear? When you have the courage to name whatever it is that’s holding you back, you can more easily meet it head-on. Giving birth is not generally a painless process. Is the birth of your baby worth any struggle you may face? Is it worth the fight? I would think, “yes”.
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