I Should Write a Book [SOMEDAY]

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Is it too Late?

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

I’m starting to ask, is it too late?

Have I expired, a use-by date?

A pre-determined clause of exclusion

Decided by an agent’s delusion.

A number seen as arbitrary

Fateful for me while also contrary.

I need to ask, is it too late?

As I approach the essay gate

I stop, I stall, I hesitate

I stumble on that word I hate.

Can it be that it’s my fate

To keep submitting til I’m eighty-eight?

How many times have you heard someone say, “You should write a book?” Notice it usually ends with the word SOMEDAY!

Have you ever said, “Someday, I’m going to write a book?’

If you’ve ever harbored a desire to write your story, someday is now. You can make decisions later about publishing or not, right now you need to get started.            

If writing by hand or typing is difficult, there are many computer software apps that will transcribe your words onto the page. If what you need is permission, here you go:

I, __[Your Name]__________, grant myself permission to write or tell my life’s story as best I can remember.

If you’d like to start by telling your story, you can use your phone to record your story. Start small with an anecdote about an experience you had as a child. From there tell about a similar experience you had later in life with a much different ending.

“I’m worried I can’t remember the exact details of important scenes in my life or that my siblings will remember things differently.”

This is your story—tell it how you remember it. You can always share it with family later to get their reactions. Right now, you need to get started.

Why write a book?

*To leave a legacy

*To validate a life

*To give your life purpose

*To honor a great love or someone you believe is a hero

All of the above reasons for writing a book are valid, and they are books that can be published on Amazon at no initial cost. Friends and family will be able to purchase your book at a minimal charge. These will be ebooks or digital books to be read on a Kindle or other e-readers. The Kindle App is free to download, and you can even offer your book free as a promotion.

Recently I took a Developmental Editing class with Allison K Williams, author of the acclaimed book Seven Drafts. Under her tutelage, I have been editing memoirs and have decided to offer my services to subscribers of this newsletter.

*Here is my offer with a $50/year subscription:

*I will edit up to five pages (double-spaced and in Word) of your book, essay, or poem with a paid subscription to this newsletter (a 1-time offer.) This could also be a written obituary if this is something you think you might like to pursue. (Hey, I’m seventy-nine, I think about these things, OK?”

You will notice new buttons at the bottom of this newsletter. SUBSCRIBE NOW will take you to a screen where you can pay. This is how Substack manages the payment for authors. If you want to support my writing, press the SUBSCRIBE NOW button (even if you’re already a subscriber) and Substack will ask you how you would like to pay: monthly/yearly/founder.

Thank you in advance for your support.

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