Three Questions to Help You Decide If You Should Start Your Book Today

Three questions for going beyond the overwhelm, distraction, and chaos and finally figuring out if you’re ready to write that fucking book.

Self-proclaimed experts and companies promise that now is the right time to write your book and that, conveniently, their course, webinar, or coaching will be the magic ingredient. At this early stage, only you can decide if it’s the right time.

Here’s what doesn’t matter in deciding whether it’s the right time (so forget about these while reading):

• Your fears (you will always be scared)
• Other people’s opinions (including any self-proclaimed experts and your significant other)
• Your education, degrees, background, and experience (you don’t need an MFA or have any bylines)
• How much you know about the mechanics of writing a book (you can learn this, and I will help you with that)

Here’s what does matter (in my opinion):

• priority
• clarity
• readiness

Nobody knows you as well as you do, what’s going on in your life, and whether today is your day.

I can’t give you the answer, but I can give you the three questions about priority, clarity, and readiness that helped me:

1. Is writing your book a true priority?
2. Do you have one clear book idea?
3. Are you writing from your scars or your wounds?

Make yourself a cup of something delicious, and let’s dive in.

1. Is writing your book a true priority?

I’ve wanted to write a book for decades, and seriously considered it for about twelve years. 12. A decade of that was utter chaos in my life.

I had four small children and no college degree. I was considering leaving my cult-ish religion (the Mormons), then divorced my husband, went back to school as a single mom, and graduated with a BA in Communications. I met my current partner and created a giant blended family of eight, moved to a different city, and went through excruciating family court hearings and terrifying custody disputes. I lost my mom, went through a pandemic, lost my dad, and dealt…