Words of Wisdom to Future WritersWomen of Distinction Magazine

Writing a book isn’t easy and anyone who tells you otherwise hasn’t written a book. The

process is emotional and deliberate, yet often magical and up-lifting.

However, there are numerous challenges and insecurities that writers

face as they attempt their first book.

Here are a few words of wisdom that will shed some insight on whether

you’re truly ready for your book project.

“To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard.”

–Allen Ginsberg, WD

Most people start a book project with the thought of fame and fortune in mind. In order to be a successful writer, you have to

truly analyze why you want to write. What unique opinion, tone, or passion can you bring to the world? When you write for the intrinsic value of producing art, you can write freely

and confidently. Good intentions make the project worthwhile.

“The road to hell is paved with works-in-progress.”

–Philip Roth

Nothing about writing a book is easy. It takes mistake after mistake and draft after draft. Sometimes you have to start over – and that’s truly a frustrating feeling. Perhaps you’ll

hit writers’ block and an original idea won’t come to you for months on end. This is a natural part of writing a book.

“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.”

–Ernest Hemingway

Even your favorite writers have insecurities. There’s nothing wrong with questioning yourself, feeling uneasy, or

worrying if you’re using the right words along the way. The most important thing is to let this resonate as a humbling

feeling instead of an overwhelming state of being.

“The greatest part of a writer’s time is spent in reading, in order to write; a man will turn over

half a library to make one book.”

–Samuel Johnson

Reading is essential to developing style. By reading, you learn what works and what doesn’t

work, deciding what kind of writer you want to be. A writer who does not read cannot be successful.

“Who wants to become a writer? And why? Because it’s the answer to everything. … It’s the

streaming reason for living. To note, to pin down, to build up, to create, to be astonished at nothing, to cherish the oddities, to let nothing go down the drain, to make something, to make a great flower

out of life, even if it’s a cactus.”

–Enid Bagnold

This is the most important aspect of all. Remember, writing can be healing. And even though it’s challenging,

it shouldn’t be seen as impossible. With true reflection, you can produce something beautiful and memorable.

Good Luck