Writing a book can feel like a big endeavor. It seems overwhelming. What do I write about? What stories do I tell? Where do I start?
A simpler way to start might be this: Sharing wisdom.
We all have wisdom in some areas of life, based on our experiences. When we share our wisdom through a book, others benefit from our unique perspective and lived experience, just as we benefit from books written by others.
What if you begin your book project with wisdom?
Let’s try some brainstorming ideas.
What do you wish you knew before you started your first job? Your family?
What has your health taught you that you wish you had known sooner?
What kinds of advice would have been helpful when you graduated high school?
What relationship advice do you wish you had heard sooner?
What have you learned the hard way? What have your mistakes taught you?
What interesting things have you discovered that you’re glad you didn’t miss?
What have you learned about different cultures or ways of thinking?
Go ahead and make a few lists of ideas in answer to one or more of those questions. Feel free to explore several different questions as you start out. You’re just brainstorming at this point.
Sometimes it’s helpful to write a letter to your younger self, sharing that wisdom. That letter can be the start or the outline or inspiration for your book.
Look for the thread (the theme) that ties together those ideas you brainstormed.
In each brainstorm list, you might have several different threads or themes. Choose the one that most interests or excites you. See where it leads. Keep brainstorming.
You have wisdom from your life experiences. We all do. It’s just a matter of getting in touch with it and recognizing its value to others, to your readers.
If there’s something you’ve learned that you wish someone had told you sooner, you can be the one who shares that wisdom with your readers in your book.
Shared wisdom is a gift. It’s the kind of book people remember, bookmark, highlight, return back to, and recommend to others.
Take some time this week to explore the wisdom you can share from your unique perspective and life moments.
Come up with that brainstorm list. See how the ideas tie together. Then start writing a little more about each idea, one at a time, to explain, share, tell a story, encourage.
Your book will be off to a great start.
