Writers write. Get busy.

I’m writing a book.

Did your jaw drop?

Some people’s might. Maybe not at that news coming from me, but maybe when it comes from YOU.

Family, friends, co-workers, etc. may certainly take the news that you are writing a book as a crazy act. I won’t argue that too hard. It takes a little mental disability in some of us to get those stories to flow. But for the most part, we are all perfectly sane, but we want to do something with all the creativity filling up our empty spots.

What chaps me is those people who have KNOWN for years (maybe our whole lives) that this is a secret desire, a dream of ours. They have known about it and never encouraged it and when we tell them that we are going to do it, they … sniff.

Some might even act a little condescending and pat us on the head and tell us how sweet we are to have such great dreams. Sigh. I think that aura of not taking us seriously is even worse.

Then, when the great work comes out or is unveiled and we reach a modicum of success, they are the first ones to jump on that bandwagon and say wow! How did you do this? Can I do it? Are you rich yet? OR they may sniff again. It may be their way of analyzing your work and finding it not up to their standards.

Can you say, individuality? Your work is not for some people. Some folks just won’t get it. And that’s perfectly fine.

Now a few things to think about:

1. Accept the harsh critique. There will be a lot. Accept the “I want to do it once you’ve succeeded and can tell me how to avoid all the pitfalls” pitches. There will be some of those too.

2. Don’t give up. Your dream is important. Don’t let anyone steal your dream. The only difference between a successful writer and a failure is the one who quit.

3. Find others who are into this whole writing life. You will need positive reinforcement. Subscribe to my newsletter, and to this blog. I will do my dead-level best to keep you stoked up.