Authentic Tips for Aspiring Authors
In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I dive deep into aspiring authors’ emotional and psychological challenges. Through personal anecdotes and imparted wisdom, I not only recount my journey riddled with self-doubt and dyslexia but also provide a guiding light for those grappling with similar fears. I share insights from my experiences and teach you how to transform fear into fuel for your writing journey.
The Real Challenge of Writing
The act of writing is often romanticized as a purely creative endeavor, but I shatter this illusion. I elucidate that the real challenge isn’t stringing words together but dealing with the emotional stakes of writing. Writing is an act of voluntary service to readers you’ll likely never meet, demanding vulnerability and courage. Whether you pen fiction or non-fiction, the essence lies in telling your truth—a task that can be daunting given the high emotional stakes involved.
Stories We Tell Ourselves
I share my struggles growing up dyslexic and consistently scoring average grades in writing. Despite my fascination with storytelling, these academic metrics and societal benchmarks convinced me I wasn’t good at writing. However, instances of triumph in storytelling competitions and public speaking subtly indicated my prowess. I underscore a critical point: we often let external metrics dictate our self-worth and capabilities, ignoring intrinsic evidence of our talents.
Claiming Authorship
An essential takeaway from this episode is the significance of self-recognition. I stress, “The only person who’s going to need to say I am an author is you.” Even after publishing books, many struggle to claim the title of ‘author.’ I urge listeners to embrace this identity despite doubts, underscoring that authorship will naturally evoke emotions of fear and inadequacy. These feelings, I assert, are a part of the journey, not a reflection of one’s abilities.
Inspired by the Young
In a heartwarming narrative, I recount an experience with my students, particularly one who candidly questioned my lack of a published book. The earnest inquiry from a child propelled me to embrace my fears and finally write my book. This story illuminates how inspiration and validation can come from unexpected quarters, reiterating that oftentimes, we are our harshest critics. I also highlight the remarkable Young Author Project, where students, under the guidance of Natalie Wilkinson, took less than two years to write and publish a book—demonstrating that resilience and collaboration can overcome significant challenges.
Breaking the Chains of Perception
I dive into the concept of habits and perceptions that hold people back. Comparing mental habits to deep, grooved tracks, I suggest that these ruts are difficult to escape. A powerful revelation from the episode is this: “Fear isn’t the enemy; inaction is.” I encourage aspiring authors to act despite their fears, emphasizing that the stories we tell ourselves about what’s possible often constrict our potential more than external circumstances.
Time and Perception
In discussing the role of time, I reference the idea of ‘Einstein’s time’ and ‘Newton’s time.’ While Newton’s time is linear and follows a structured path, Einstein’s time is subjective, and shaped by perception. I explain how waiting in different scenarios can alter one’s experience of time. I argue that time should not be an excuse for not writing; rather, it’s the perception of time that needs adjustment. By dedicating even a few minutes a day to writing, one can make substantial progress.
Crafting a New Narrative
Finally, I urge listeners to craft better narratives about their writing journey. If negative stories and self-doubt plague your thoughts, why not replace them with empowering tales? If you’re going to make up stories about the future, make them positive and inspirational. The only limitation is the belief that ‘now’ isn’t the right moment. I caution against waiting for the ‘perfect time,’ asserting that the best time to write is always now.
Join us again next week for more captivating insights from influential authors and publishing experts. Remember to subscribe to Authors Who Lead and visit our website for more show notes and past interviews.
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—take action.
Episode Resources
Connect with Azul here:
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AWL Membership Community
TEDX
Fiction with Purpose Group
Mandala Tree Press Publishing
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Get a copy of Azul’s first book here:
The Art of Apprenticeship: How to Hack Your Way into Any Industry, Land a Kick-Ass Mentor, and Make A Killing Doing What You Love