You Think You Don't Know How To Write A Book

Guess what? Neither does any other first time writer. And that may be a wonderful thing. As a beginner, you don't approach your book project with a carload of professional expectations and demands from your process. You can just be open, like… well, a nice blank book. All you really need is your intuition to guide you, and will to write your book as honestly as you can.

You Have No Support

You need someone in your corner, cheering you on, to get through long and somewhat tiring process of birthing a book. Because writers need a way to show up and be accountable for their progress. They need someone to keep saying, 'Yes, you really can do this," or even "How's it going?" Minds can be tricky and difficult when fully challenged by something like a book. And steady external support is best way around that.

You're Afraid You'll Run Out Of Material

There isn't a writer out there who hasn't had this fear. And I'm here to say that if you just stay loose and open, and willing to receive ideas, they will show up. All you have to do is commit - really sit down, and begin to bring that book into being - and work will magically appear. Sometimes it won't flow that easily, and sometimes it will scare you with its speed and power. But it will, indeed, show up.

You Think 'Who Am I to Write a Book?'

And yet, you are perfect person to write your book, because you're one chosen to receive this material. (You don't have to be spiritually inclined to believe this.) I personally believe that books are given to us when we're ready to receive them… and when we do, our lives are changed by that process.

You Fear Uncomfortable Moments Ah, but that's most exciting thing about writing your book. You will be given challenges and lessons that just seem untenable along way. And if you're committed enough, you'll rise above them and so become stronger in process. This is especially true for self-help books: we naturally write what we need to learn.

Got a few categories checked off from list above? Good! Awareness is first step to diffusing your fears. Meanwhile, PLEASE do get on with your book … despite your misgivings. Not only do you deserve this work - so do we.

Suzanne Falter-Barns co-leads The Writer's Spa, a week-long, nurturing retreat for anyone with a book on their mind. Taos, NM, August, 2005. Learn more at http://www.howmuchjoy.com/writerspa.html.

When someone wants to share a secret with you, don't get into drama and excitement of moment. The price is too high. Tell them, "No, thank you." Tell them this story and about price that is paid. Stop process. Start nipping it in bud. You don't need this, and you don't want people who fuel their life by pushing their secrets on you. Because when they give you their secret, they no longer carry weight, you now carry their weight. This is exactly why people want to give away their secrets, because they are too heavy for them.

You will definitely walk taller and carry a lot less weight on your shoulders. And sleep so much better at night.

Oops, got off topic of journaling here -- so, let me get back on track.

If you're secret is that powerfully deep, then write it down on separate paper, and burn it afterwards. Keep writing about on separate paper and keep burning it. You may need to do it many times until you begin to release secret from its stronghold, especially if secret has gone for a long time. People have shared with me over years that sometimes they had to do this exercise as many as 40 times when it was from long ago or secret was big.

Do same if you hold secret for other people. If you have enough courage, give secret back to them. Tell them you don't want to hold their secret any more and if someone asks you, you are going to just say it. Now, that takes a lot of courage but it sure does make a HUGE difference in who you are and your confidence. It will also make you think quickly before you accept another new secret.

Now, I didn't say this process was going to be easy. Then it isn't that hard either. You pick up pen, start with one secret, work through that one, and then burn it in a ritual over sink. Others will bubble up afterwards because our soul is recognizing an opportunity to free itself. To feel lighter and it will jump at chance. This will work, guaranteed! All you have to do is do it once and you will see.

If you are overweight, you will probably find yourself stop stuffing your face trying to bury secrets with food. That’s a good thing. I've known many a client and friend, who once started working on this loose many, many, pounds.