Does getting a publishing deal make it easier to write a book?
“There are no unique messages, only unique messengers.” – Jadah Sellner
Writing a book is not about achieving a goal, or even about getting published. It’s about how the book will change you when you make the promise to yourself to actually write it.
This week’s guest on “Authors Who Lead” is Jadah Sellner, a passionate leader, community-building strategist, and marketing visionary who talks about breaking free from the fear and resistance of writing a book — a reminder so many of us need. Sometimes, when we’re so focused on writing a “good” book, we can miss the opportunity to write one that matters.
Writing a book is, first and foremost, for the author. It’s for you — and the transformation you experience while creating the book is most important. If you don’t transform from writing your own book, how do you expect your audience to transform while reading it?
The Fear That Comes with Writing a Book
During my conversation with Jadah, we discussed why writing can be so difficult. For starters, it’s because we’re constantly growing as humans and that can make the writing process feel like agony.
For Jadah, it certainly did. Even though it wasn’t her first time writing a book, it was a different modality of expression, she explained. She knew it would embody her beliefs and principles in a new way — one that her previous work never had done before.
After all, you might see a book you wrote a month ago much differently now. It’s easy to get lost in the idea of writing and, in fact, some great books get lost in their own words — clouding the vision of what the book really is.
The Process of Self-Transformation
While you may suffer from imposter syndrome while writing your book, trust that you are the change that your future readers need.
A problem that most writers experience is they think there’s something wrong with them as authors. Like Jadah, who initially resisted writing, we want to outsource our transformation during the writing process — and that’s okay.
But we need to show up when resistance or challenges come along. We need to live with our book, even if we have to put it down for a while — because that’s when a book really serves you.
Through our journey working together, Jadah said that the unpacking process inspired her to write again, bringing her so much awareness of the healing work that awaits within her own origin story. The book was never the primary goal; it was the commitment to herself. It is a reward for the author first.
Writing is a creative process that can transform you, and show you who you are. It is unbound by time and cannot be wrong. Creativity is perfect just as it flows out of you. As Jadah puts it, don’t put a timeline on your dreams. Give yourself grace and permission to heal. This will grant you the ability to create.
Coming away inspired and energized, here are my top three takeaways from this episode:
- If you want your readers to transform, your own transformation as an author must come first.
- Words can get in the way of really good books — so think of the message, and not the words.
- Write a book about how you see the world, not just what you know.
That’s all for this week. If you have a message inside of you that needs to be written, today is the day to start.
Don’t delay — your next big step is just a few words away.
What was your biggest takeaway from this episode? In the comments, tell me about your commitment to writing a book. Is 2021 your year to write?
Episode Resources:
Social Media Links:
Website: https://jadahsellner.com/
Facebook: http://facebook.com/jadahsellner
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jadahsellner
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jadahsellner
Listen on:
