Please don’t go it alone authors, here are 3 potential potholes you might face in trying to tackle your book project by yourself.
“It may sound paradoxical, but strength comes from vulnerability. You have to ask the question to get the answer, even though asking the question means you didn’t know.”
Majid Kazmi
Writing is a mostly solitary pursuit. But finishing, publishing, and promoting a book is a team sport.
It’s like the universe is playing a cruel joke on us as authors.
“Okay, you weirdos get to be totally introverted recluses while you’re writing your book. But if you get stuck or when it’s time to let other people see it, you’ll have to actually interact with the other humans to make it happen.”
Peopl-ing… really???
There are simply too many moving parts to try and go it alone for the entire writing, publishing, and marketing journey. And when authors do try to go it alone, here are 3 potential potholes we face.
#1: Reinventing Wheels
Stop wasting time and energy chasing down solutions to problems that other authors have already solved. Ask for help. Whether from a fellow author or a professional, when you get stuck, especially at the level where it threatens the momentum of your entire project – ask for help. There is no reason to reinvent any wheels at this point in the history of writing. Invest your time and energy in the creation of your book, not in solving problems that others have already solved.
#2: Skimping on Quality
Another risk of trying to go it alone in writing your book, is making mistakes and compromising the quality of the final product. Think about the time, blood, sweat, and tears you’ve put into your book – don’t you want the final product to reflect that?
There are abundant options available to help you improve the quality of your book. No matter how tight your budget, guard against the assumption that you can’t afford any help at all. This is rarely the case, especially in light of the value of having an outside pair of expert eyes on your book. What if financial limiting beliefs are keeping you from uncovering huge creative breakthroughs, and maybe even completely up leveling your book? You’ll never know unless you ask for help – and the solution might be easier than you think!
#3: Feeling Alone
Speaking of blood, sweat, and tears, the final risk in going it alone – is feeling alone. Feeling isolated is one of many emotional states that can show up when you’re struggling and mistakenly think you’re the only one in your situation. Writing a book is a huge, time investing pursuit and depending on the subject matter, it can be an emotionally trying journey too.
Please don’t attempt to take this roller coaster by yourself. There are highs, lows, ups, downs, triumphs, rejections, and sometimes, it can feel like a complete ick-fest. Lean on others who get what you’re going through. Whether in my Ink Authors group on Facebook or whatever other communities, resources, or professionals serve you and your goals the best.
Being a creative person is kind of like living in The Wizard of Oz – sometimes you’re running through the woods being chased by flying monkeys and an evil witch, sometimes you’re passed out in a poppy field from sheer mental exhaustion, sometimes the guards at the gate are refusing to let you pass, and sometimes you’re skipping happily down the yellow brick road toward bliss.
No matter where you are in the story of being an author, it’s almost always easier in the company of friends.
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