OK folks- I’m baring all here. I figure with the word “Confessions” as the title of this blog, I better give up the goods eventually. So, here goes-
I’m writing a book.
Maybe that’s not the biggest news (I’ve talked a little bit about it on Twitter and Facebook), but this might be:
I’m. Scared. To. Death.
Surprised? I may act all big and badass, but underneath that kick-ass Goddess persona is a mere mortal shaking in her shoes.
You see, writing has become a true passion of mine. Amazingly enough, I’ve developed an almost physical need to write. I sort of see it as my calling- I see or hear something that I think needs addressed and I go write about it. And for the most part, it seems people enjoy what I write and get value from my posts. So, that turned out to be a happy accident 😉
And if the occasional post didn’t get as many comments as I would have liked, then oh well, I thought- I’ll just do a little better on the next post. Because there will always be a next time.
But a book is so final.
One product. One chance.
There isn’t necessarily a next time.
And that’s why I’m afraid
The little voice I hear from inside my head keeps asking, “What if the book is a total flop? What if no one buys it? What if you’re not as awesome a writer as you think you are? What if people don’t (gasp) dig The Insurance Goddess and could actually care less?” I didn’t say the voices were rational. They seldom are. But they are devastating and will destroy your confidence if you let them.
I’ve written about 10 pages of the book to date. For those that are interested in the subject matter- the book will actually be geared toward first time homebuyers and the process for insuring their home. Having insured homes since 1996, I’ve noticed a tremendous lack of insurance education for new home buyers. I mean beyond the basics.
But I’m doing this because my passion is educating others
I’m talking about giving them the tools to look at homes with an insurance “lens.” My guess is that they will be able to make better decisions if they know what’s acceptable and what’s not. It may also give them some negotiating power as well. I think overall it will help expedite the buying process. If insurance implications of a home are taken into consideration while searching, there’s a lot less chance for a problem to develop later.
I’ve researched the topic on Amazon and there’s nothing out there that even comes remotely close to my topic. Hmmm, perhaps that’s a sign……either there is a need. Or there isn’t. So, my little voice chimed in again, “See- no one’s interested.” Damn that little voice. It’s eating away at me now.
No matter what, I’ve come to this conclusion: I HAVE to do this. I NEED to do this.
Don’t get me wrong- I’d love to sell 10,000 copies. But even if I don’t, I think my greatest satisfaction will come in saying “I did it.” We can’t all be Stephen King. Or Danielle Steel. Or that woman who has written the hottest book on the charts- “Fifty Shades of Grey”- just my luck to think about publishing a book now……
So maybe the competition I’m fighting is myself. No one WANTS to be a failure. No one WANTS to make a big, fat, splat. I certainly don’t.
But I also don’t want to wonder “What If?” I think that’s the moral of this story really….
So, I’m going to do it. Perhaps you can help cheerlead me through or say a kind word. If you have any advice to give about the process, well heck, I’m all ears. Feel free to also share your own personal story-ever have a moment like mine? You just felt compelled to do something? A “bucket list” item you wanted to achieve? Perhaps your story will help add to mine and give me even more motivation.
As always, thank you to my faithful readers. Let’s do this thing, shall we?