Think about a book you read that literally changed your life. It could be spiritual, political, self-help, religious, relationship, improve finances or just about anything you were seeking an answer on.
Now imagine if the author never wrote the book. Or maybe they wrote the book, but never did anything to get the word out about it.
It could have gotten buried under the sea of books written every year that no one ever heard about. Just another, “I wrote the book, but no one will ever read it,” story of lost potential.
The first book that comes to mind (for me) as one that absolutely changed my perspective is, Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl.
This little book has impacted millions of people.
Here is what is written about the book on the book’s Amazon description.
Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl’s memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival. Between 1942 and 1945 Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of others he treated later in his practice, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose. Frankl’s theory-known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos (“meaning”)-holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.
At the time of Frankl’s death in 1997, Man’s Search for Meaning had sold more than 10 million copies in twenty-four languages. A 1991 reader survey for the Library of Congress that asked readers to name a “book that made a difference in your life” found Man’s Search for Meaning among the ten most influential books in America.
Lost in the Shuffle
Imagine if this book had never been written. What a loss to millions of people who found meaning in the words of Viktor Frankl. Those of us who found comfort from getting inside the head and spirit of this amazing man.
It’s not just books with deep, life changing messages that we would dearly miss had they not been written. Fantasy books. Children books. Cook books. The list goes on and on.
Yet, many aspiring authors miss so much by not making a commitment to do all they can to get their words on paper. From there, they miss so many opportunities to market their books because they either don’t know how to market, don’t understand marketing or would rather write than have people read their works.
My Memoir
For well over a decade I talked about writing my memoir. Yet, I did nothing at all do move forward. Even though I wrote several books during that time, the one book I wanted to write more than anything was my memoir.
But year after year, it remained a dream. Until one day when the desire to tell my story was stronger than the desire not to.
A few months ago I was involved in a mastermind meeting. It was there something deep inside surfaced and I said, “Enough is enough. I HAVE to write my story.”
At the time, I wasn’t sure how the story would unfold or exactly what would be in the initial manuscript, but I knew I had to write it.
The process of writing my memoir was different than a business book. It was a process of allowing stories I had kept to myself unfold. Stories that are raw, unbridled and reveal a part of me I could have kept carefully tucked away.
Or could I?
You Must Tell Your Story
There comes a point where the stories that were born out of deep pain are the very stories that will be the catalyst for not only our healing, but the healing of others. These are the stories that will show, through example, that no matter what we’ve gone through, no matter what the choices, no matter how deeply we hurt, they are the stories that bring healing to us and others.
But unless we are willing to write the stories, they stay buried away to get lost in the pile of untold stories.
Imagine, just imagine, if Viktor Frankl had not told his story. What a pity that would be. Millions would have been deprived of the insights of this amazing man. A man who, like millions of others, had been the victim of the cruelty of the Nazis, but unlike millions, lived to tell the story and share a perspective that was uniquely his own. A story that shifted the perspective of the reader in profound ways.
What is your story? What is your perspective? What is the message that longs to emerge?
And what are you doing to assure the story does not go to the grave with you?
Your story could be the next life changing book for someone. It can be the very story that starts a movement by the fact the reader is so deeply impacted they make a change in their life that has been buried deep inside them.
Let your story out. Do all you can to share who you are. No matter what the genre, there’s something waiting to emerge from your soul. Give it wings to fly. You never know, your story could start a movement.
Beyond writing your book, there is the marketing
of the book. Yet, many authors do little, if anything, to get the word out about their book. Curious as to how to do this? I have two ways for you to learn more about marketing you books and both are FREE for the asking. Simple click either image to be taken to the page to sign up for my webinar on how to Hit #1 or my report – Hit #1.
I agree with you wholeheartedly, especially that “the stories that were born out of deep pain are the very stories that will be the catalyst for not only our healing, but the healing of others. ” It took me 20 years to write my first book (a memoir), and it was born out of a desire to help others in their struggles. I published it in 2014. Once you overcome that first hurdle and you see that it’s possible to do, writing the next book is easier. Then you’re on a roll. I have 16 titles now under my belt, but I just have to learn how to market them. Thanks for your post.
Thanks for your comments and congratulations on your success with writing so many books. For marketing, I would highly recommend you get my FREE report – Hit #1 at http://www.oneonamazon.com
Thank you for this article. It was mind-provoking for me. I am writing a series of e-books.
The problem is not the writing – but the lack of a soul reason for writing them.
They are „only“ fiction books – how-to-books with the intention of selling my work.
Unfortunately, I do not see „the soul reason“ for my work. Reading your article has
created a disturbing question in my mind. Why don´t I put everything into my work and my books.
I will be dealing with this question in the coming days. Am I on the wrong path, or
am I afraid of putting my mind and soul into everything I do? This is how I would like to lead my life.
Doreen
Thank you for your amazing transparency. Just this morning I woke with a title for my next blog post, “Why some people should NOT write books.” Your comments gave me food for thought on the soul of our writing. Thank you Doreen!
You are very passionate about encouraging others to release their story.
It’s so true.
One person shared her life through YouTube videos and writing. Although I knew her for a short time, the impact she had on me was huge.
Something has been brewing in me since March and yet I just put it off.
This month, I’m letting whatever it is float to the surface. I’m ready to listen to my heart.
It’s part of the reason I’m participating in the #blogboost.
Glad you’re too because you’re awakening the writer in me.
Wow! Your words humble me. Thank you Sara.
Hi Kathleen! What a great post! I’m going to check your books asap!
🙂
Dani x
The one that really hits the nail on the head with book marketing is the Blog Book Tours. Power Up for Profits is another outstanding resource chock full of content any author can use.
Kathleen … I’m inspired, challenged and more than a little “nudged” to complete work on unfinished books collecting dust on my Hard Drive. I’m deeply troubled by the notion that my procrastination might be depriving someone of a breakthrough or encouragement to live their life on Purpose. Shalom!
My work for today is done. 🙂 Seriously, it does take ” “deeply troubled by the notion that my procrastination might be depriving someone of a breakthrough or encouragement to live their life on Purpose” to sometimes get us beyond our own limitations and blocks. Write on!