“You ought to write and publish your own book.”

If you have heard this line of encouragement from friends or family, it’s not so far-fetched now that you are retired. You may feel overwhelmed with the process, but with some guidance, you can write the book you always wanted.

Writing a Book? Start Feeling Accomplished

If “writing a book” is on your bucket list, my advice is: Don’t delay! Do it now! The process is incredibly rewarding, and when you see your book in print, your sense of accomplishment will rise.

Why?

When you write and publish your own book, and share it with friends and family, their reactions will enrich your life.

Many of my clients have shared with me that after they saw their words in print they felt a different level of accomplishment in their lives. They found out that they loved writing and discovered a new sense of excitement and purpose for the next stage of their life.

The Hardest Part

Let me be honest, the hardest part in this endeavor is not the publishing. Self-publishing has a structure and strategy that you can learn. The entire process and experience are actually fun.

The main challenge is establishing a writing routine.

Writing a book isn’t about just sitting down and typing the story you want to tell, from beginning to the end. It’s a process that happens in bits and pieces. It takes thought and lasting desire. You may start with one sentence, then maybe a paragraph, and if it inspires you, an entire chapter.

I advocate taking one step at a time and approaching the writing process as part of your daily living. Make it something you enjoy doing every day.

What Does It Take to Write and Publish Your Own Book?

Writing a book happens in 3 phases:

Activation

When you write your book, you have to decide when you are going to sit down and write. What will be your subject matter? Are you writing a story of your life, a children’s book or a book about your travels?

Inspiration

Once you type in the last word, you will be faced with self-doubt and overwhelm, plus many other emotions that can derail your creative flow. Understand this is normal. Every writer goes through feelings of self-doubt. I do too, even after 13 best-selling books.

Completion

Remember when I said publishing is the easy part? As long as you finish writing your book and get it out there, it is. Keep in mind you wrote your book because it was a dream of yours. Now share it with the world.

My Advice to Writing and Publishing Your Own Book

If you have always wanted to write and publish your own book, don’t delay. Now is a perfect time. You are retired and have a lot of time to enjoy and fulfill your bucket list! Bring your wisdom into the world and share your life experiences.

Who knows? You may change a few lives for the better along the way.

What is your relationship with writing? Do you have “writing a book” on your bucket list? Do you want to write a novel, children’s book, fiction or self-help? Have you started writing your book yet? Let’s hear your stories of gloom and bloom in the comments below!