How Writing a Book Transformed My Life | Azul Terronez

Lessons from the Journey of an Author

In this episode of Authors Who Lead, I return with a heartfelt update and an honest call to action for anyone dreaming of writing a book. This episode isn’t just an update—it’s a raw exploration of why telling your story truly matters, how the writing process can change your life, and what to do when self-doubt creeps in.

I’m reminded again that the journey to authorship is about much more than putting words on a page. It’s about finding your truth and having the courage to share it with the world.

Finding the Courage to Start: Lessons From the Classroom

I spent 25 years in education as a teacher and principal. One of the most memorable classroom exercises I used was called “All About Me,” where students listed their dreams and aspirations. Many of my own goals—becoming a principal, becoming a professor—came true. But one dream lingered quietly in the background: writing a book.

That dream kept getting deferred by self-doubt and the demands of teaching.

What finally stirred something deeper were the honest questions from my students. I remember a student named Carlos asking why I hadn’t pursued writing if it was truly a dream of mine. Years later, another student asked if they could display my book at a class book fair. That moment forced a reckoning.

I had spent years encouraging students to see themselves as authors, yet I hadn’t fully stepped into that role myself. When that student looked at me and said, “It’s okay to be afraid,” something shifted. That simple reassurance became the catalyst for finally writing my first book.

The Transformative Power of Becoming an Author

Writing that first book changed my life. I completed it in just 30 days, and the experience shifted how I saw myself. It opened doors to coaching, podcasting, and conversations with incredible thought leaders.

And yet, even with that momentum, I noticed a familiar pattern. I was great at lifting others up—but my own writing dreams quietly moved to the back burner again.

The writing journey isn’t linear. The book I’m preparing to release now, Great Teachers Eat Apples, has been more than a decade in the making. Along the way, there were failed book proposals, long pauses, and the deeper challenge of finding my most authentic voice.

Some books take longer because they require us to tell the truth we’ve been avoiding. This one asked me to own my experiences fully—to write the words only I can write. Many of the same students who once challenged me became the inspiration behind my TED Talks and now this manuscript that’s finally nearing publication.

Overcoming Doubt, Dyslexia, and Delay: Why My Voice Still Matters

One of the most personal parts of this episode is sharing my lifelong struggle with dyslexia. I flunked college English. I didn’t even discover I was dyslexic until later in life. For years, I carried the belief that this disqualified me from being a “real” writer.

It didn’t.

Those experiences shaped how I tell stories. They deepened my empathy and sharpened my voice. They gave me hope—and they allow me to offer hope to anyone who feels unqualified or behind.

Self-doubt shows up for every aspiring author. You question your expertise. You wonder if your story matters. You worry someone else has already written your idea better.

What I’ve learned is this: you don’t become an author because you were good at English class. You become an author because something inside you won’t let the story go.

As I share in this episode, expertise doesn’t come from credentials alone. It comes from living your life and being willing to share your perspective. Submitting drafts to editors, wrestling with the words, preparing to release this next book—none of it comes from certainty. It comes from courage.

A Call to Action: Start Writing Today

If there’s one message I want to leave you with, it’s this: if you feel called to write, start now.

You don’t need to be younger. You don’t need more experience. You don’t need permission. Your story, your lens, and your life are enough.

Whether you’re just beginning to consider authorship or you’ve been carrying this dream for decades, this podcast—and this community—is here to support you. Writing isn’t just about publishing a book. It’s about becoming more fully yourself.

Your Story Is Waiting

The first Authors Who Lead episode of 2026 isn’t just a personal update for me. It’s a reminder—for all of us—that facing fear, finding your message, and answering the call to write is a universal journey.

As I move closer to releasing Great Teachers Eat Apples, I’m reminded of this truth: your story can change your life. And it can change someone else’s.

All you have to do is begin.

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.