I’m not one to get all inspirational on you. Those of you who know me know that I am actually extremely suspicious of any such behaviour, and repeated postings of motivational quotes are usually grounds for me to hit the “unfollow” button on Twitter. In short, I’m about as sunny and happy and shiny as Morticia Adams. So when I say something is motivational, it usually actually is.
I just read somewhere about a writer who purchased a book from an author, read their book, and then attended a lecture that they gave. The final result was that they were inspired to write their own book, which in and of itself is awesome. However:
Time Reading Book: 3-4 hours, assuming the writer is an avid and fast reader.
Lecture Attendance: 2 hours, depending on travel time.
Time purchasing book: 1 hour, depending on travel time.
Total: Minimum 6 hours.
Now we get to the harsh point of this exercise. Six hours to get inspired to write your book? There is thinking about it, and then there is doing it. Some people like to map a journey before leaving, buy food for the trip, and go to the bathroom before starting down the highway, but at some point you just have to get in the driver’s seat and go. That six hours could have been research for the book, or six hours spent writing the first and second chapters. That is a heck of a long time to reach only inspiration at the end.
Are you thinking about it, or are you doing it?
