The Book Is Not the Point: It’s the Entry Point

Discover the Book You’re Meant to Write Preview #1: The Book Is Not the Point

Let’s just get this out of the way: I don’t care if you write a book.

I’m not supposed to say that. In fact, I’ve been told I’m supposed to build my business on the fact that I help people to finish their books. But when I think about what matters deeply to me—and in these times how can I not?—whether or not you write a book is low on my priority list.

So why offer a book writing course at all? It’s simple. Because to me, the course of action, the path, the way through is what I care about most of all.

To me, the book is not the point, but the entry point to a process of discovery that can help you unleash your voice, wield words with intention and clarity, and change your life.

Does that sound dramatic? It should. Because it is. These times call for dramatic measures. For brave leaps and barbaric yawps.

This is the first in a series of four blog posts I’m going to share as a preview to the kind of support I offer in Discover the Book You’re Meant to Write, which opens again to registration in four days, on January 11. If you want to be notified about that, just let me know. My intention is that each of these posts be of service to you, whether or not you take the course. It matters to me that your voice is activated, that you learn to use it with dynamic integrity. So I’m taking extra measures to make this session of DTB supportive and accessible, including how I spread the word about it.

This first post is to support you in receiving the gifts of this entry point, that is: when you feel called to write a book.

When my book was published, it was the entry point to me claiming the power of my voice, to deeply considering how I wanted to use it in the world, to start this business, which is, in large part to awaken and invite other voices forward. While I love that book I wrote—the physical tangible end result of hard work and heart work—it’s not what sustains me. What sustains me is the ongoing work. The process more than the product.

That’s why the whole first month of Discover the Book You’re Meant to Write is about playfully exploring and reflecting on not just what you want to write, but how your whole life and self leads to this moment of writing. How all of that is source and resource material.

Yes of course DTB also gives you practical tools for structure, organization, and writing.

And if you take this course and do write a book—well, praise the lord and pass the pancakes! I will cheer for you, I will celebrate your accomplishment, and I will spread the word. I’ll buy your book and encourage others to do the same.

If you deeply care about finishing your book, I’m all about nurturing you in that process of writing and revising, honing and polishing, the process of unearthing the deepest it that your book wants to be. I will help you set a schedule and support you as you follow it.

But I don’t do it because I want to see a finished book. I want something bigger and more satisfying for you.

So if you find yourself at this entry point, feeling called to write a book, here’s a question for you: If writing this book is about something bigger for me, how might I describe that something bigger?

I used to think I wrote because I wanted to publish a book, to be a published author, and I did. But I keep learning that the end will never satisfy or justify or fulfill the means. For me, the means fulfill, justify, and satisfy the end, whatever it is, whether it’s a book or you realizing you don’t want to write a book and doing something else entirely. The means—for me, if they are beautiful, soulful, fun and provocative—are what makes anything worthwhile.

The meaning comes from the means.

So here’s another question for you: what are the common ingredients, the means, that make something worthwhile for you?

Mine include beautiful, soulful, fun, and provocative. If I have at least two of those ingredients going in any endeavor, I am content. All four together are like magic words that open-sesame me, right into pure delight.

So to summarize your tasks, should you choose to accept them, with a few suggestions for how to go about it:

1.     Answer the question: “If writing this book is about something bigger for me, how might I describe that something bigger?” You might first try this through a five or ten-minute free write. And if you’ve never done a free write or want a little guidance, just drop me a line, and I’ll offer some support.  You might also do this visually on a big piece of paper, putting “my book” in the center of it and drawing or writing words outside of it that are bigger than your book.

2.     List the common ingredients, the means, that make something worthwhile for you. See if you can narrow it down to three or four ingredients. Once you do, you might also consider a few endeavors in your life right now to see where those ingredients are or aren’t in play.

3.     If these tasks resonate with you, I invite you to sign up to get early registration info and some bonus treats for Discover the Book You’re Meant to Write. I would love to have you on the course roster.

DTB Registration opens this Wednesday, January 11 (REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN, and YOU CAN SIGN UP HERE). The course begins January 18. All kinds of wondrous details about the course are here. I’d love to hear from you with any questions or comments.

Please stay tuned for DTB Preview #2: Happy Endings Make Terrible Compost, and feel free to sign up to have it delivered to your inbox.

With love,

Jen

Thank you so much for reading. You might notice that I don’t have a space for comments, but I’m certainly open to conversation about what’s written here. If you’re so inspired, feel free to start a conversation with me via the contact form on the homepage of this site.