Writing a book was one of the most daunting dreams I ever had for as long as I can recall. Even during my teenage years, I’d attempt to write, but I’d always end up pushing it at the bottom of my priority list.
My first reason was that I needed more life experiences to make my work extra believable or interesting. A couple of years later, I said my knowledge regarding different writing techniques wasn’t enough. It was when I couldn’t give any more alibi to stop myself from scribbling the plot down that I thought, “Well, it’s now or never.” According to cognitive psychologist Keith Oatley, “Almost all human cultures create stories that, until now, have been rather dismissively called ‘entertainment’. I think there is also something more important going on.”
Was my first book a success? Nope – I barely got copies sold online. But was it worth all the trouble? Yes, of course! Below are some reasons why you should pen a book already.
- You Can Exercise Your Freedom Of Expression
Off the bat, the best thing about writing a book is that you can express yourself without feeling judged. Therapists, in fact, recommend this activity to their patients who can’t voice out their issues. By the time you reach the concluding pages, you may no longer feel unfamiliar about self-expression.
- You’ll Learn To Organize Your Thoughts
Are you a scatter-brained individual? Being a writer can help you improve that characteristic for the better, you know. Since there are a lot of pages in a single book, you’ll have no choice but to compartmentalize ideas so that you can lengthen each chapter. It can also help you stop misplacing your stuff and have a peace of mind.
- Learning Becomes A Natural Habit
In case studying wasn’t your strongest suit when you were young, it can change now once you become an author. For your work to gain more attention, you can’t merely speak about anything without giving it much thought. You may then naturally read other books or articles on the internet to increase your knowledge base.
- It Pushes Your Limits
As mentioned earlier, a decent book isn’t just a three-page literary piece. Even a storybook has over ten pages, so it isn’t for the faint of heart. What’s great about writing one, regardless of the genre, however, is that you’ll be able to encourage your brain to produce more creative thoughts every day. If that doesn’t sharpen your memory, nothing else can. For psychologist and writer Ryan Howes, Ph.D, “There is so much to learn—about people, psychology, and writing itself—that I’ll never run out of material.”
- Your Connections Will Grow
When you have a book that a lot of readers can relate to, they will reach out to you. Some may even become your new friends, while others may want to beta-read for your next work or introduce you to influential folks who can turn your book into a motion picture. All in all, many exciting things can happen when you build connections with your readers.
- Inspiring Others Isn’t Impossible
“Inspiration sparks creativity, and helps us make progress on our goals”, according to American psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman. Though your story may seem absurd in your head, don’t let it prevent you from writing it down. Reading books offers individuals a chance to escape reality and stay in the little world that authors make for them. Whether it’s fictional or non-fictional, any literary piece can motivate people to refine their decisions and even save others from doom or death.
- You’ll Leave Your Mark On This Planet
Finally, a book is a timeless part of yourself that may never be forgotten even when you die. Others may make more copies of it in the future; the cover design may change as well. But what won’t ever disappear is your name on that masterpiece.