How to Make Writing a Book Less Scary

Don’t let fear stop you from writing your book.

Everyone wants to write a book, but few people will begin. Out of the people who start, not everyone will complete their first draft.

Which person do you want to become? Do you want to be someone who never starts or someone who never finishes?

I hope you choose neither.

Choose, instead, to become part of the third group, which is made up of a rare breed: people who have the guts and discipline to start and finish.

There’s a fire within you that you won’t ever be able to extinguish unless you write your book.

The problem is, you don’t know how to begin. (Or if you’ve started, you don’t know how to continue.)

Writing a book is an abyss. You think about your story, and it’s vast and dark and terrifying. Here’s are some good news: your process doesn’t need to be an abyss.

Instead, think of writing a book as a staircase of which you can’t see the end. Being unable to see the end doesn’t matter because you can see the first step.

Anyone can take that step. You can take that step.

I’m writing my first novel right now. So, I’m right there with you — afraid and doubtful.