This post is a part of our 2024 guest blog post series Bravely Write Your Book.
Learn from publishing professionals and authors how to bravely write your book.
At the beginning of the year, Ally invited you to listen to her inner circle to garner insight and gather pieces of wisdom to help share your story. Through the past few months, these successful and talented professionals shared their personal insights–what worked for them, the hurdles they had to overcome, etc.–and throughout it all, advice to help get your story onto the page. All their advice seems to point to one thing: you need to write your words down!
Each guest emphasized the importance of simply putting your story onto the page. Some of them referred to this as trusting the process, others shared you need to get the words down to have a story. You can worry about the other pieces after you have a story to work with.
As Nichole Myers shared, there is no right or wrong way to write. You need to express your unique voice; that is your unique perspective, the reason that you need to share your story.
But where do we start? What is the best way to share this experience? Sure, I may have the courage to share this story, my story, but I want to do it right!
P.A. shares that you have permission to start wherever you want. You can jump into the middle, the end, the beginning, the important thing is that you start putting your words onto the page. Her advice is complemented by Lisa Hammett’s: “Stop Overthinking!!” You just need to worry about getting the words onto the page. Once you start you will know what is missing, what your story needs to be complete–it is about your experience after all!
Writing is a skill you will build as you put your experience to the page. You must take the first step of getting started to find improvement in sharing your story. As you build both your story and writing talent you may receive criticism. But, as Shaina Clingempeel recommends, “Consider what you can learn from someone's advice, and use that to grow. But don't get discouraged, as no one can measure your worth. Just keep going.” Criticism is there as a tool for you to utilize, not to stop you. You take the advice that resonates with you and leave what doesn’t. Again, you know your story the best, you know what it needs the most.
“Take a deep breath, be brave, and just write.” Take Linda Keating’s words as advice for yourself. Chances are you need to take the plunge, give yourself permission, and bravely immerse yourself in writing your story. To become the author of your story you need to stop overthinking, let go of your fear, and begin to write your words down!
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This post was written by TWPRT’s Fall 2024 intern, Taeryn McKinstry.
Taeryn McKinstry is an aspiring author studying at Champlain College. Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Taeryn currently resides in Burlington, Vermont as he works toward completing his Bachelor’s of Science in Professional Writing. He is driven by a desire to share unique stories and poetry to inspire and uplift others. In his free time, Taeryn likes to read. Taeryn is hopeful that he will be able to continue his education and broaden his literary horizons after his graduation in 2025.
Don’t forget to join us one more time for the last installment of our 2024 Bravely Write Your Book series.
While you wait for the next blog post in this series to drop, don’t forget about these two free and readily available resources.
- The 5-Step Writing Guide to Starting (and Finishing) Your Memoir. It’s time to light up your world and ours with your story.
- My 30-minute Story Stroll is a time for you and me to talk openly and honestly about the book you’re feeling tapped to write. Let me help you take the next best step on your journey.