Do I Have to Write a Book First?

If you have ever said, I have to write a book first. Many aspiring writers, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs have had the same experience. Writing a book can be so inspiring and, in some ways, so threatening. The good news? That is a common starting point, and you can actually turn it into genuine progress by having the right mindset and approach.

What’s actually holding you back in writing the book? And how do you move from “I have to write a book first” to “I’m writing it right now”? Let us splinter that down.

Why Do So Many People Say I Have to Write a Book First?

This is often fueled by a sheer sense of pressure and obligation. Perhaps there’s a deep desire within oneself to be looked upon as an expert in the field. There could be those witnessing everyone around them publish. It could also be that one realizes the potential of a book to open many doors in business, the speaking career, or personal growth.

Usually, the phrase “I have to write a book first” gets laced with procrastination. It is an easier phrase to utter than to put into action. The grandeur of the perfect book, perfect time, or perfect process ends up being the very thing halting you from ever starting.

If this is where you find yourself, then it is good to know that writing a book does not have to be the immense, overwhelming ordeal that many think it to be. It is a process, and every process begins with one tiny step.

What If You’re Not Ready to Start Writing?

That’s cool. But clarifying what “not ready” means is important: Is your delay on account of needing time to think about the subject? Is being unsure about the kind of book to write a reason? Do you think you aren’t good enough to write it?

The moment you find yourself saying, I have to write a book first just stop and ask what is really holding you back. You will soon realize this has very little to do with the book. It’s about fear. Fear of others judging you.

Fear of not finishing. Fear of showing up. You won’t have to have twenty-three reasons before you begin. The truth is clarity comes along as you write.

Can You Start Before You Feel Ready?

Definitely, more often than not, you should. One of the biggest myths that hold writers back is the notion that one should be totally prepared before writing.

If a person is out there wishing for a career as an author, waiting for “everything to be perfect” will merely delay that result. Instead of saying, “I have to write a book first,” say, “I get to start writing today.”

Start with a rough outline and some key ideas or just a draft in considerable disarray. It really doesn’t even matter in what order you write it or if your introduction is perfect. All that matters is that you start.

Should You Outline or Just Begin?

Some writers depend highly on outlines. Others prefer to start writing and figure out the story as they go. If you would love to say, “I have to write a book first!”, only there is no certain path to go down; maybe outlining a couple of main points can do some good.

What is your book actually about? For whom are you writing? What change will your reader undergo? Answering these questions makes it a lot easier to construct a structure.

Outlining can work wonders in making your anxious self feel less so. It provides a roadmap for you, and despite the chance that some of the roads may change, you have a path to follow.

Do You Need to Write It Alone?

Writing coaches, editors, and even ghostwriters can help. You can attend writing groups for accountability and support. You can use tools to keep your thoughts organized and get your project done.

It basically takes the burden off of thinking about writing the book, and it sees it as a collaborative piece. That one shift alone could take you out of procrastination and into action.

What If You Never Finish the Book?

One of the hidden fears behind having to write a book first is the fear of never finishing. It is easy to dream about writing a book, but it is much harder to stay consistent when life gets busy. But writing a book is less about talent and more about discipline. One page a day adds up very fast. There’s no need to complete it in a month. Just keep at it.

Set practical goals. Create a schedule for writing. Forgive yourself for falling behind. Keep moving. Every book has once been an unfinished work.

Is Now the Right Time to Write?

It is never the right time to write a book. There will always be distractions, doubts, and demands on your time. Yet, when the thought keeps coming back to you — First, I have to write a book first — it means there is something asking to be expressed through you.

That voice must be honored. You do not need special permission for a huge audience or a publishing deal to begin. What you do need is a willingness to act.

Writing your book could crystallize your message, open new doors, or change lives. But that will not happen until you take the first step.

What Happens After You Start Writing?

You get carried away once you start. The thoughts gel into ideas – and you gain confidence. The book then no longer looms at the end of a bold finish line. Instead, it is something you are actively in the process of shaping.

There are roadblocks, at times halting and restarting the process, yet the important thing is writing. Consistent writing is all that will make publishing a likely next step.

That is the time when the next incidence occurs – when you find yourself saying I have to write a book first; remind yourself that belief states a journey begins with writing one sentence. You do not need to know everything before you start – you just have to start.