Time spent writing is never wasted.

Hi Reader,

A few weeks ago I wrote to you about a conversation I had with a woman who told me that she’s afraid she’ll ruin the experience of her life story if she writes about it.

It must have hit a chord because I received a lot of responses.

One person wrote to tell me that she knows she could write an awesome book, that’s not the problem. But she thinks it would be a waste of time because no one will publish it.

Oof.

I’m sure you can guess that I have LOTS to say about this.

Not the least of which is that in this day and age, if a person wants to publish a book no matter what, they can guarantee that their book is available for anyone to purchase by self-publishing.

Now, I know you may be rolling your eyes and thinking that’s not the same as getting a book deal, but self-publishing is a completely legitimate path to publication (several clients of mine have self-published); it doesn’t have nearly the stigma that it did even just 5 years ago, AND there are plenty of credible, well-respected authors who are self-published.

But there is something deeper happening here than just the logistics of getting published.

Yes, publishing is a worthwhile and worthy aspiration.

But (and not to discount that goal) that should not be the ONLY reason that you write.

You should write first and foremost for yourself.

That’s it. No other reason.

Write because you want to.

Write because something inside of you compels you to.

Write because you are not yourself otherwise.

Write because it makes you happy (mostly).

Write because even when it doesn’t make you happy you know it’s still helping you in some way.

Write because it allows you to process hard stuff.

Write because it’s a journey to discovering something new about yourself.

Write because it’s healing.

Write because you want to understand something better or learn something new.

Write, as Joan Didion says, entirely to find out what you’re thinking, what you’re looking at, what you see and what it means. What you want and what you fear.

Write, as Joan Didion also says, to tell yourself stories in order to live.

If you feel, like the person who responded to my email a few weeks ago, that time spent writing would be wasted because no one will publish it, I’ll tell you the same thing I told her.

There ARE opportunities for getting published, some of which I do help my clients with (both the logistics of the how/where). But more than that, we work through the limiting beliefs that hold us back in our creative lives.

Telling yourself that it would be a waste of time if no one publishes it is a limiting belief.

Yes, as I said, getting published is a worthwhile goal, but I don’t believe it is the only reason to write.

There is so much value, for yourself and for the others in your life, if you spend time with your creative practice and with your story. Writing in and of itself is valuable, your story is valuable, regardless of whether it’s ever published.

If you don’t already believe that for yourself, I hope that someday you will.

Janna

p.s. Here’s a Free Opportunity to Work with Me in November

Join me in November for the second annual NON-WriMo: an alternative to NaNoWriMo for women writing nonfiction where we set our own goals and work at our own pace. We start on November 1 with a live group kick off on November 4. Click here to join.

Have a question or some thoughts to share? Hit reply. Your email lands right in my inbox.

Who am I and what’s this email all about?

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I’m Janna. I’m a book coach and editor for women writing nonfiction. I write weekly emails with tips, motivation, inspiration, and encouragement for the writing and creative life. I support women with coaching and editing on writing, finishing, and publishing their nonfiction books in my private community More to the Story. (Yes, editing and manuscript review is available for community members.)

One of my mantras is: Tell stories without shame. I believe that we can find health, wellness, and happiness in life when we share our personal story with others, because it helps us come to terms with what makes us who we are.