Why We Don't Write Our Books

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Why We Don't Write Our Books

by: Suzanne Falter-Barns

In the ten years that I’ve taught people how to get on with their books, I’ve noticed a phenomenon that I’ll call “Author’s Block.” Would-be writers can, indeed, sit down and work when pressed to it. The problem is that they’re not so sure they want the pressure of being an author. But they do want to. But they don’t. And so on.

Ah, the agony of getting on with your book.

Well, I’m here to diffuse that situation with a list of what I think are the key reasons we don’t immediately set down to write. Perhaps this will help the next time you find yourself polishing doorknobs instead of sitting down to write.

 We lie to ourselves about why we can’t write the book. We think our stalling is about lack of time, or too much pressure at work, or not enough solitude in the evening. But guess what? Chances are a deeper, darker reason may be at play, like ‘I’m not supposed to be bigger than Mom’ or ‘What if this thing really takes off?’

 We fear the impact our book could have. Sometimes when I coach writers in my self-help author’s crash course, I’ll ask them what’s impeding progress. And after some probing, it will come out that they’re afraid of the big exposure a book can have if it takes off. I’m here to assure you that should that happen, (and chances are your book will not unleash wild mobs of millions) you will be able to handle it. How do I know? On that deep level where psyche meets karma, you won’t create a reader more than you’re ready to receive.

 We think our book doesn’t matter, so why bother? One writer I know put this so succinctly: “I’ve tried getting up at 5AM to write, and staying up late, and leaving my home, but none of it works. I have this tired feeling that none of it’s going to amount to a hill of beans.” In fact, writing and publication can be an entirely self-determined activity these days. If the publishing pundits don’t go for your book, there’s always self-publishing and e-books on your website. In other words, your book does matter, and you really have no excuse. (Acid test: if the book keeps on patiently urging you to sit down and write it for months and even years, chances are you’d better do it.)

 We think we don’t know how to write a book. Guess what? Neither does any other first time writer. And that may be a wonderful thing because you don’t com in with a carload of expectations and demands from your process. You’re