When I tell people that I am a writer, I inevitably hear two responses: 1) I could never be a writer, or 2) I have always wanted to write about insert topic. Well, the answer is – 1) yes, you can, and 2) what are you waiting for??
All the lotions and potions and surgery in the world won’t help you stay young unless you eat right and exercise. Don’t forget to exercise that brain too!
Everyone has a story to tell. It might be your first time driving a car, riding a bike, meeting that special person, et cetera. Or, maybe you are a legendary cook. People ask you for your recipes all the time.
Whatever it is, you have something to share, and you should do it! No one else will.
Writing is an exercise for your brain. The mere act of recalling events that happened long ago, for example, takes a lot of work. Recording those memories allows you to relive the moment and provides that mental exercise you need.
Anyone can be a writer. There are three simple ways you can do it:
#1: Easiest, cheapest, low-tech option. Use a pen or pencil and a notebook that you can pick up at any discount store. Write down your favorite memories, stories about your ancestors, recipes everyone loves – whatever you want!
#2: A little bit more expensive option. Take your notes to your preferred office supply store (example – Staples) and ask them to make copies. For an additional fee, they could even bind the copies so you can distribute “books” to friends and family.
Speaking of friends and family, you could always ask someone to type your notes into a Word or PDF file. Then, you could take that file to the office supply store and ask them to do what I mentioned.
Personally, I would prefer to see recipes in someone’s handwriting. It adds a personal touch. BUT – that’s my preference.
#3: It can be expensive and is A LOT of work. You could do what I do – create actual books. (Whether you decide to sell them, like me, is your preference.)
This option requires a certain amount of tech ability. Sure, you can pay someone to do almost everything for you, but it can be costly, and some companies could scam you out of your money.
Still, if you are willing to learn new skills, do extensive research, and devote a tremendous amount of time to the project, it can be very rewarding.
Mentally rewarding. Highly unlikely to be financially rewarding. After all, the good thing about self-publishing is that anyone can do it. The bad thing is that anyone can do it. No matter how fabulous your book is, you are competing against literally MILLIONS of other books that are published every day. Do not go into this with the illusion that you are going to be RICH.
So, don’t fall into the trap of “I could never be a writer.” YES, YOU CAN! You have options to make it happen, so do it. You have a story to tell. Let everyone hear it.