Yes, you can write a book without help, but it may not be strong. Imagine that you’re in a strange city (before the Corona virus), and you’re lost. You didn’t get directions. People rush by. Do you ask one of them to help you get to your destination or do you find a map?
You may be in a parallel situation regarding your desire to write a book. You know where you want to end up—with a written and published book, but you don’t know how to get there. Do you ask someone for help?
Help Is Available
The world, offline and online, is full of experts (and pseudo-experts) who offer courses on writing books. You can choose from online college courses, private tutoring, courses authors teach, and more. You can also get books about writing by the basket load.
You look at the various options, and once or twice, your mouse may hover over the registration button, but something stops you.
Whether or not you register for a course or any form of instruction, you need to know what that something is.
List Your Objections
- I should be able to do this by myself.
- Am I really a writer if I need help?
- If I can’t write, how can anyone help me?
- How do I know if these people are any good?
- So many people pose as teachers when they don’t know anything.
- How do I know if they can provide the help I need?
- I’ve looked at all of these choices, and my head is spinning. What if I make the wrong decision?
Some of these are very good questions. I’m going to take up the one related to self-doubt.
“I Should Be Able to Write a Book Without Help.”
Writing a book is not like assembling a piece of furniture—and plenty of people feel no shame at having to get someone to help them do that.
You’ve probably had the experience where screw #1 doesn’t fit into hole A. In writing there are infinite screws and holes, and if you don’t know how to assemble a book, you can end up with a very weird-looking creation.
Getting over whatever shame or inadequacy you feel about asking for help is the most important thing for you to do—now, at the beginning of your writing journey. At many points along the way, you’re going to need to ask for help.
You will pay various editors and book cover designers. You’ll ask others to do you favors, like people who review your book or write jacket blurbs. Every author, whether unknown or a best seller, asks for reviews and blurbs.
You Can’t Do It Yourself
That’s true whether or not you decide to take a course. It’s fine to need help. It’s why humans are a social species. We help each other.
If you’re a beginning writer, you’re lost in the big city. One way or another, ask for directions so that you don’t feel uncomfortable trying to write a book without help. There’s no need to struggle.
This could be a perfect time for you to tackle writing a book. By the time you complete it and life returns to normal, you’ll be way ahead.
Authors work with me as a book coach to help them accomplish their goal of getting that book written. Let’s talk about how I can help you. Reach me through this contact form: www.patiyer.com/contact.
