They say everyone has a story to tell. For some of us, prying that story out seems impossible. Here are some tips for getting started on that book you’ve always wanted to write.

Start at the beginning. So many aspiring writers get completely flummoxed by the business of how to publish a book before they even begin to write one. Don’t fall into this trap. There are many guides to book publishers and book publishing available, and self publishing is an excellent option for many writers. But to focus on selling your book before you even sit down at the computer is to put the cart miles ahead of the horse. You have to write it before you sell it.

Write about what obsesses you. Writing a book is a commitment. You’ll be spending a lot of time — sometimes years — with your characters and ideas. You don’t necessarily have to “write what you know” (that’s what research is for) but you do need to have a passionate interest in your subject. If you’re fascinated by the Civil War, let that knowledge spark your imagination. If you’re an expert knitter, spin your story out from there. The best books bring the reader into a specific, richly detailed world, one that introduces them to characters, concepts, and secrets they might otherwise never encounter. Let what drives you inform your creativity.

Hush your inner critic. Maybe someone told you weren’t very creative. Maybe you don’t spell well, or don’t always know where to put the comma in a sentence. Maybe you’re afraid people will be mad at you if you write your story. Maybe you think people will laugh at you. The fact is, when you commit to writing your book you are committing to yourself, and that can be scary. It may have been years since you stopped to listen to your own thoughts. Maybe you never have before. The truth of the matter is, there are hundreds of reasons not to write. Don’t believe any of them. Instead, believe that you have a story to tell, and a voice to tell it in, and the right to tell it. Write that on an index card and carry it with you, print it on poster board and hang it where you can see it. And when that voice in your head mocks you that you’re not really going to try and write a book, tell it to hush and keep writing.

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