The story that’s in you? Write it down.

According to my publisher, Newman Springs Publishing, 80% of people want to be an author, but less than one-half of a percent actually accomplish that dream. Since the time my dream was shared about “I Knew Men” getting published, I’ve encountered friends who shared that they also have stories to tell. They just haven’t taken the time to write them down.

Oh, how I can relate; how I want to encourage them not to wait to do it! With this post I am jumping onto my soap box. Write down the story you’ve got kicking around in your head! Until you do, you’ll never understand the joy and excitement that comes from getting it out of your brain.

FIND THE TIME / TAKE THE TIME

The other day, I was talking to one of my favorite people. She asked how I was doing with my novel. I don’t know if she has read my blog posts, but through Facebook she knew I had taken the big leap. I brought her up to speed and then asked if she had ever thought about writing a story. She is an amazing writer and makes a living conducting fundraising/capital campaigns, which takes a high level of creative writing ability and a multitude of skills.

A story has been kicking around her brain since her 20’s.

Between her business and helping her husband with his, she didn’t think that she had the time to pursue a writing dream. Here’s the thing: neither did I. I shared the big secret with her, and I’m sharing it here for you: writing your story energizes you. It’s not a burden, an add-on, or a distraction that takes you away from what you should be doing. A responsible person will always put their ducks in a row and take care of necessities first.

Writing for yourself invigorates your soul.

When I was writing my novel, I became an acute observer of all aspects of life: behavior, movement, appearances, speech — everything. Describing what it’s like to fall in love, to make a life-changing decision, to grieve, to laugh, to think, to talk — I had to describe everything with words. It was a powerful rush because I had to get “up close & personal” with my living! What an incredible experience!

HOW TO START

I’m sure many have written about how to get started writing, but for me, I believe the best place to start is to tap into your emotions. What are you sad about? mad about? anxious about? happy about? By answering these four questions each day and writing down your answers, you will begin to paint a picture of where you are in your life’s journey — and that picture might provide you with the basis for a story (and, you’ll develop a daily writing habit).

Writing about a hard situation may provide catharsis — and entertainment.

A dear friend is currently going through significant life struggles, including a fight for acreage. The land in question crosses three small-town lines with varying ordinances that need to be individually addressed. Family members are at odds over who gets what, and where, and who is going to pay. To hear her describe it, I envisioned feuding in the style of the Hatfields & McCoys.

Meanwhile, my friend only wants her little piece of bequeathed heaven. It’s at risk of being lost if things don’t get settled soon. As I listened to her describe the situation, I thought, “what a great story!” Deep down inside, I think she knows there’s a story in there, too — one that only she can tell.

And where your story is concerned, this is also true. So, don’t wait.

Write it down.