Your Biggest Questions And Frustrations About Becoming An Author
Posted by John Harricharan · 46 Comments
Hi, there!
I wanted to make this quick, so I’ll cut right to the chase…
Because you requested my interview, “The Seven Deadly Myths About Becoming a Best-Selling Author”, I’m assuming that you’d like to become a published author now or at some time in the near future.
Well, the favor I wanted to ask is this:
I’d like to know - when it comes to the process of writing and publishing your book, what are your biggest questions, challenges, fears and frustrations?
Are you having trouble coming up with a topic to write about?
Is your book not progressing as quickly as you’d like it to?
Is your book done, or almost done, and you don’t know what comes next?
Are you intimidated about the process of publishing or promoting your book.
Basically, if there’s ANYTHING that has been standing in the way of getting your book done, or making it a big success, I’d like to know about it.
Please take just a minute and go down below and post a comment, stating your biggest, obstacles, questions or fears and frustrations about this process.
I’d love to go out and respond to your questions directly, so be sure to take a moment and leave a thoughtful question.
I’ll watch for your comment, and will be posting my responses over the next day or two, so be sure to check back at the blog to see what I’ve posted!
THANKS in advance for your willingness to leave me your comments and questions.
We’ll talk soon!
John
Dear John,
Greetings from the Netherlands.
I have already written a book. The Dutch version is published but I am still looking for an editor and publisher in the U.S. for the English version of my book . I received many wonderful endorsements on my book from you, Brian Tracy, Joe Vitale and others about a year ago, but I do not know how to get my book published. This is really standing in the way of making it a big success. So if you could help me with that I would be very grateful.
Warm regards
Yvette van Boven
Nothing prevents me from writing although I do find the editing process and especially the process of geting my work published extremely daunting and not at all enjoyable. I don’t think I am unique in this. I wish that searching for agents or/ and willing publishers could be a little less soul destroying. The only positive side of that part of my literary endeavours is that my ego gets trimmed down to size, which is always a good thing.
Dear John,
I would like to know specific ways to get a literary agent..or editor interested in my children’s space fantasy story for 2nd-6th grade students. It has been read out loud to test audiences of children and at professional book writing workshops with very good reviews.
How do I get the property in the ‘right hands”?
Victoria
Hi John,
I guess my biggest thing with getting going with my book is fear. I feel I have a book inside me and I have for years, it is just getting it all together. However after hearing your interview, I was inspired and it is now something I work on each day…………….Thanks John
my greatest obstacle is the lackadaisical attitude of my people (Africans) towards reading.
this has pose a problem for wide sales of books and immediate acceptance.
i have been able to overcome discouragement and resentment.
Raymond
Zaria-Kaduna
Nigeria
Dear John,
In fact, I have self-published before: 4 books! They never sold well and I actually lost a great deal of money. I think that I have found the reasons for the failure: firstly, I wrote for wrong reasons (money and pride); secondly, I wrote about just “anything”, i.e. I was neither an expert on the given fields, or a “person with inspiration”. I just wanted to prove that I could write, which is pointless anyway since I KNOW I can
The result was that I didn’t really BELIEVE in what I wrote, or (better): I didn’t believe that it’d actually help anybody. Without such belief it was very difficult to promote myself. Just the processes of writing and self-publishing were exciting and then… And then the whole excitement was gone!
Regardless of my deep inner self-analysis and understanding the reasons behind the failure in sales, I straggle with a few things at the moment. 1) Must I write in English or rather in my mother language (Polish)? 2) I seem to have too many subjects to write about in my head, i.e. it’s difficult for me to choose “the one”. 3) I have other problems in my life, which I am almost finished sorting out, but they keep my mind and time occupied, i.e. I cannot find the “right time” to write. 4) I really would like to feel – to know by heart – that I write for others and not for any kind of fame, money or pride.
I feel that point 4 is somehow the crucial one: once I can overcome the lust for some selfish recognition, I will not have problems with the first 3 problems… But, maybe, the first 3 problems cause the 4th one…
What do you think?
Thank you for all you are doing, John!
Adam Ciesielski
Hi John,
Right now I don’t have direct plans to write a book.
But I not cancel it out that it will happen some day.
When I write a book then it will be a spiritual book.
I have always been very spirital and have read many books and still do.
Also I have a spiritual website where I can share my thoughs, ideas and vision on spirituality.
I have noticed with myself that I have more and more a direct experience with Spiritual Truth.
My connection with my higher self is becoming more stronger and translucent.
I sometimes write down these concepts and thoughts that I’m receiving.
But my spiritual attainment is not enough to write a big piece of text.
Right now I put this text sometimes on my website or on my Facebook wall.
I have a desire to serve and do my very best to become more,to grow and lift, raise up my fellow man.
Right now I listen and read to your advices.
And when the time is right, I will make a good use of it
I like to thank you for what your are doing, and being such a big help for all
these people that have a dream to become a writer.
With your help one day this dream will come true.
Love and Light to you and Namaste,
Egbert
Dear Constance:
It is wonderful to see you here. It is a very pleasant surprise. I will never forget how you started to write your book. The first time you were in touch with me was when you lived in Ghana in West Africa. From there you traveled around Africa, living for quite a while in Kenya and finally ended back in Holland.
Every time I read your book, \Paradise, A Heartbeat Away–A Spiritual Safari in Africa,\ I am touched by the magic you have brought to your readers. The stories in your book are the stories of each and everyone of us.
It was a joy having you in my writing class. I trust that you are working on other books and that your music, songs and poetry keep inspiring all who come in contact with them.
Have a wonderful week, Constance.
Always,
John
I have self-published a book of inspirational poetry/messages(mine) along with fine art photography of a friend Joanne Chilton. I now would like to like to write an e-book. However, what I have learned is that the topics & the writing or not an issue but the marketing is when you are not already well known, have a small email list and not much money to promote it.
Do you have advice to offer?
Inside me there is a story I know I can tell, but the subject is dark, of emotion, of human experience. Yet there is also hope. I suppose what puzzles me is how I tie everything together in a coherent way that will make an absorbing read.
Any thoughts you’d care to share would be most appreciated. I’ve listened to and read your works and you have such a brilliant balance in your writing. How much do you rely on sounding out the material with others as you go? or do you trust your own instinct and ignore dissenting voices?
Thanks for sharing and caring.
I think the biggest fear I have right now is that after wanting to be a bestselling author for so long, my books won’t be good enough. That is the largest hurdle I need to overcome, but I am writing – good, bad or downright ugly. I’m sure I’m not the first newbie to feel this way. There is a determination on my part to finish book number one, but if you can provide any encouragement or profound insights, I would appreciate them.
Dear Dr. John:
I have difficulties in starting a story, even my true to life story. It is my frustration to accomplish a certain story that reflects my life. But I can only think of it when I feel I am loosing. I got failure. It is my dream to write the story of my life. However, I may say that I have a lot of things to prioritize first before I could proceed on it with the experiences I had. The only thing I can do for now is to write down all the things I want to say, things that reflects my daily activities and think that as soon as I have chance to incorporate all of those write up. I could have a very good story. But I am wandering when it will be. So, when I can made my own book.
Hope that sometime, the book you have for the beginners may help me in so many ways. Thank you in advance. God Bless.
Very truly yours,
Anne
Dear John,
Hi, I live in Kuwait and have always been creating stories right from my childhood. I always wanted to write something really extraordinary. I even get good stories in my dreams. But I always felt my language isnt good enough to be a writer. After reading your mail regarding the seven myths and your books, I have started writing something very very special. I dont use my mind for it, i only ask my inner voice to help and i have been helped tremendously. Thankyou so much for helping me . I would like to know how to publish it when I have finished. Please do help me out.
I am delighted that you’ve started to write your book. It doesn’t matter what your language is or which country you are living in. I have taught people in Africa, Australia, India, Holland, the UK and many other countries to write successful books.
Don’t judge your writing. Just express yourself as you would to a close friend. Your writing will then sing.
Best wishes for a wonderful book.
John
Hey, John. Your books are certainly ‘novel’ and natural even with the metaphysical complexion.
For myself, i have always known that being a True Writer is my path; i even experienced a synchronistic event that confirmed it. BUT even though i am quite certain i am probably rhe most diverse writer i have found (with the passing of years) that the business has become more complex and expensive. i have never been rejected but almost ineviatably the answer is…sorry, we already have enough clients…our publishing plans are already in place…we already have enough, etc.
And that is when you actually get an answer! I used a net service called ’scriptblaster’ whereby your synopsis is sent out as email to hundreds of agents / publishers in one hit (it is legite) but even with this the same ‘we are overcrowded’ answer. The problem is also one of Quantity. Too many would-be writers flooding agents and publishers (without first enquiring) with scripts’ One top agent told me his offices receive thousands a week. This is why most have closed their doors unless you can find an agent which is near impossible. I also know in my head that i prevented myself because of all i had read that being recognised was “Difficult” and so that was my approach.
John. Why were the Egyptians able to build the pyramids? Because no one told them it could not be done! On Oprah, a 14 yr old girl student got an idea for a book, wrote it, then wondered how can i get published? She just looked on the Net, found a publisher, emailed them, they returned em inviting her to sent script. She did and a few months later was published! My point being that she did not know how difficult it is; her mind was clear about it, so there was no negative difficulty to prevent her. I know that one is supposed to believe that with God all things are possible and that God makes a way where none exist….I tried self-publishing but that doesn’t really lead anywhere.
To top it all off: i once desired to be a real monk; he is now a shadow sub-personality and he is refusing me to say YES and ALLOW it to happen…somewhat ironically i am now waiting on a Report from an ex Hollywood Producer now script doctor who loves my screenplay but he is having troubled times causing the delay.
Sorry if this sounds like a moan but being published or penning screenplay one’s work is first and last a Product and those who make the decisions are business people looking for something like the books that sold last year ot the movie that put bums on seats…
I clasp my hands to chest and bow to you.
Best Victor
Hello John,
what is standing in the way of getting my book done? hmm.. Fear…pain…
I dont know..My book is done, I need to translate to English but go thru this again is a littel bit like opening ” Pandora box”. Every day I am teling that now is time, but I must sit and do it. As I am not born as English speaker it is very hard to evok what I want it to. The reason way I want to translate is because we were communicate on English. I am speaking Croatian and Thomas German, so our language was English. I wrote in memory on him and I want that is in English. heheh.. Crazy me. His family want to know what I wrote too, and I woudl like that they know him better.
I decided to do it and I will.
ksendl
Hi John,
Thank you for your effort to see that the dream of many or writing a book become a reality, my biggest question is how do u make the ideas flow some time u might start and get stuck in the middle and you wonder was it an article or really book you were writing. In short how do I make my idea to flow and move from one chapter to another without lacking the words.
Dear John
I love to read the questions of so many people of different ages and walks of life – and I love the wise, respectful and encouraging answers you give them.
Congratulations on your unique concept of creating an Authors University and my compliments on the truly beautiful website you have given it as its form!
I hope many people all over the world will take advantage of the opportunity you offer them to write their heart and bless the world with it – as you did for me so many years ago when I was living in Ghana.
With love, dear friend, for you and Anita,
Constance
Hi John
I have been thinking of writing a book of short stories. I have written some 31 stories so far.
Most of these are based on my life experinces.
After listening to you interview on the Seven Myths I have to rewrite the stories so that I am not coming into the picture.
Is it wise for me to get someone to rewrite them for me and at the same time he or she will assist me with the grammar corrections ?
I have a draft which is in PDF format with copyright message on each page. I could give this to someone to edit the stories from the Word format of the book.
Please advise what I should do before someone steals my stories.
Regards
Henry Nasilele
City of Kitwe
Republis of Zambia
Central Africa.
Hi John,
Thanks for this opportunity. I am writing my first novel, an adventure story based around my passions for anthropology and science. I’ve done some structure/ storyline planning and begun writing and researching the first few chapters. I have a long way to go yet before I get it published, mainly in technical research.
My concern is this; some reference books I’ve read point to the fact that most published authors have won numerous minor awards before getting published and have a history of studying literature etc.
I haven’t done any of these, so I am concerned that my writing style will not be as technically correct as it should be, or perhaps too unsophisticated. I love reading, but I am not widely read on the “classics” they speak of. Although I can do some reading in this area, I am worried it may not be enough to bring me up to the level required to get published.
In your opinion is this something that I should be worried about? Will I be less interesting to a publisher without this training and background?
Many, many thanks,
Hayley (Australia)
Hi John
To write a book which will simply open peoples hearts ,and absolutely transform lives in unexpected ways,has been a thought churning for so long in my mind.I want to write inspirational subjects,but cannot put my finger on one clear topic.
Even the introduction,lay out of a complete,finish book is a challenge.I wonder how this novice without clarity write a book,which is intresting and people can relate to.
Dear John
Sure, there is no fear of writing. I have been doing so even before attending school. For my puppets. For my friends. For myself. For my Ashram. Now the time has come to go public. My question is:
How to publiish? How to find effective publishers for spiritual books?
Thsnk you for <your kind endeavours
Paramahamsa
As I sit with my pen and paper. I write a few words and like a 2 year old I clench my jaw, thinking there is no way i am going to make a fool of myself. This is emotion is so strong, it has held me back for years. I am tired of holding myself back and hiding.
How can I dissolve this wall, and produce my book.
Thanks Maggie
Thanks a lot for this questions.
They need some time and I prefer to keep them for myself.
Kind regards
Marijke
Dear John,
What a great idea! Thank you for providing a space for people to off load their questions, fears and obstacles regarding their writing. I have been writing since I was about 10, so about 32 years. I have been in the process of writing a book that is a journey into the world of self discovery and love, about the trials and tribuations of being in or wanting to be in a relationship. I have researched the material and attended many seminars and workshops. I have a lot of material. I have no idea how to pull it all together and struggle with the possibility that I truly have something of value that will inspire others. How do I overcome the self doubt and negative voice that tells me I can’t go the extra mile to finish what I’ve started and get it out there?
I have been inspired by your stories over the last few years and really appreciate any words of encouragement you may have.
Thanks again, much love and respect
Maeve
ps. I work two jobs, am setting up a small business and am a single mum (so time is stretched)
Hi John,
My book is simple enough . It is based on my story till now. I’ve had difficulty in how to put the story across so it does’nt come across as horrifying or negative as the message i wish to convey is simply that even those of us who may have started life in less than privileged enviroments can and have found a way/ways to inner peace and real happiness .
My question John is how can i do that without naming names and without it appearing as a poor me type of story ?
Donna.
Hi again.I figured it out.
Thanks John.
Donna.x
I have had quite an “adventurous” life and it has taken a lot of evoloving to get to the point I’m at now. I would like to be able to write my story, not necessarily to get it published, but to look back on when I face challenging times and I can see how far I’ve progessed. I also feel that some parts of my life could help other people in similar situations.
My problem is that I don’t actually like putting pen to paper or fingers to keyboard. My mind motors fast and I can’t write or type fast enough to get it out.
Thanks
JIll
I have yet to come up with a topic – something I wish to say, heart and soul, that will be unique and really worthwhile.
Hi Penny
You took the words right out of my mouth. I have been thinking of writing a book for many MANY years. I used to write great little stories in school, always did very well in creative writing, and my co-workers tell me I have a real flair for writing. So….how do I decide on a topic? Where do the ideas come from? I have had a couple ideas, but I need John to help me understand how to decide.
Do you just KNOW when a book idea is great? Help John!!
John, my husband is the author in my family. I have always wanted to write but never seemed to have the time. He has written one book which he published himself (First Books), everyone who has read it loves it. It was a novel, but only sold about a hundred. He doesn’t know how to market it. He has two short ones just about ready and a third partially finished. They are mostly stories about happenings in his life over the years (he’s 86) and a number of them are about his experiences during W W II, mostly funny stories with the potential of being disastrous. We have tried to find publishers but most of them are only interested if you are KNOWN. As a cancer survivor and aging, this has become a project he
really wants to complete while he’s still motivated and ABLE. He doesn’t travel the internet well, but will try. I loved your writing about Gideon and passed it on to one of my daughters who will pass it on to the other (two of my daughters are teachers) the other is very spiritual & probably the most capable but has too many demands made of her already–I think all of them could write fantastic books.
My Creator has blessed me richly with several talents — I am just discovering writing and I tend to write the way I talk, like in a conversation. I have lived a lot of the information in my lifetime and researched the rest for my book topic and am just putting it together and I would hope that it would be a guide for people in these troubled times of unemployment.
My question is: after the book is written, how can I get it out where people will see it? I don’t have extra money to pour into it.
Thanks, John, I loved your books about Gideon and Marla — you have such a great talent!
Diane
Hi Diane, it is wonderful to use the talents given to you by the Creator. Your writings will certainly help others along the path of life. After your book is written, you will get lots of information from our site (AuthorsUniversity.com) that will show you, in simple steps, how to promote and market your book. Actually, it will be fun.
Thank you for your lovely comment about Gideon and Marla. They send you their blessings and best wishes.
Always,
John
Dear John, (Wow, my first ‘Dear John letter’!)
My novel ‘PoP’ is finally complete. It took me a mere 42 years to write and I love to think the world is trembling with anticipation for its arrival.
Here’s the deal: I love my day job. I’m a firefighter & paramedic and I work a 24 shift on a real busy truck so my off time is not as productive or as focused as I would prefer (in regards to pursuing getting my story in circulation) I feel what I ‘ve written disguises the ‘ultimate self-help book’ in the form of a love story that I’ve been told “sweeps you up, blows you away, … and refuses to set you back to Earth even after you’ve turned the last page…” So I guess you could say that I’m your competition, but I trust those that truly ‘get’ your message and (hopefully) mine, will realize we are all on the same team.
John I’ll be honest; I’m soooooo happy to not feel guilty because of not writing when I should be that I guess I’m wanting to rest on laurels I don’t really have.
Any and all help in speeding up this process would be most welcome and greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Matt
Hi Matt:
It’s a wonderful “Dear John” letter. It seems like you’ve produced a fantastic piece of writing. It really doesn’t matter how long you took. What’s important is that you did it. It is now your duty to get it out to the rest of the world. We are just fellow travelers along the journey that never ends.
And, no, Matt, you’re not my competition, and no one is your competition. We are unique in all the Universe and therefore enjoy the gift of being who we are as brilliantly and as best as we can. Also, it’s great that you do not feel guilty. Now get your book out to the masses. A lot of help will be provided by our authorsuniversity.com site when it is fully functional.
Have a great week,
John
I have actually had my book published by a Vanity Press, I Universe. Many of the small group of people who’ve read it report great feedback. I know how to make it more popular for a fee, yet I’m not ready to go that route.
What I’m wanting to discover if there is such a thing, is how to get it out there without money and travel etc.
The book was written in conjunction with the Center for Fiduciary Studies @ the University of Pittsburgh, and can save 401k investors their shirts …in an environment where few know the laws and few do anything to enforce them to protect everyon’s precious retirement funds.
Hi Gordon:
Congratulations!!! You’ve accomplished more than most people because you’ve gotten your book published. Now, it’s just a matter of promotion and marketing. There are many low cost and “no cost” ways of doing that and I’ll be covering a lot of them when the authorsuniversity.com site goes live.
All the best to you, Gordon.
John
Hi John,
I´m seventy years old and I want to do something of meaning for the rest of my life, do something good, have some fun and make some money for a better life. I intend to write about my generation and my engagements in dealing with our fast changing world and I hope to be of help to other people facing a similar situation. Will apreciate to hear your comments, I have never published anything.
Thanks, Helmut
Hi Helmut:
It doesn’t matter how many years old you are. An old friend of mine used to say to me, “John, age is none of my business.” You certainly can do all the things you mentioned in your note. The trick is to start doing at least one thing. We’ll address situations like yours when authorsuniversity.com goes live in the near future. See you there.
Kindest regards,
John
Hi John,
I have been dreaming of writing a book since I was 10 years old.For years I have been writing the book in my mind and in my heart.The topic kept changing with the years.Now at least I know that the topic will be on energy related fields.I know I have a lot to share but somehow I have not been able to devote time and courage to fulfilling my dream.
Perhaps you could guide me.
Best regards,
Angele
Hi Angele:
Thanks for your note. You have done well by first writing your book in your mind and heart. That’s where creation starts. Now it is time to get your book out into the world. You already have the courage. Now you’ll have the time. As soon as our new website (authorsuniversity.com) is launched, you will find all the help you need.
Kindest regards,
John
Hi John,
I don’t actually have a lot of questions about writing or getting published. I’m a published author (Small Magics, published 2007, Dragon Moon Press) and have my next book coming out in 2010 (Cold Magics). I am also currently working in Corporate Communications. My major goals are all around marketing, audience reach, and upping my visibility to increase sales. I found your page and signed up out of curiosity and to see what your take is on marketing tactics.
You have done well, Erik. Keep on writing and publishing. Marketing of one’s book is probably the most important part of an author’s journey. There are many ways to go about promoting and marketing and we’ll cover many of them when the authorsuniversity.com site goes live in the near future.
Congratulations on already being a published author!
Regards,
John
Hi, I have an idea for a book and quite a few thoughts as to what I would like to do as a follow up (create a tail with passive income to follow etc). My subject relates to the internet and internet marketing in particular. It is not, I repeat not a how to make money or a better way of doing things. On the contra it is all about the methodology employed, the tactics used and the lack in many (most) cases of being able to separate fact and reality from fiction. It may ruffle some feathers but it is aimed at total neophytes before they start wasting their money. It would be ideally suite as an e Book but I don’t want to get into those wordy spin landing pages and sales letters, that all look the same and only serve, in my opinion, to create fluff and excitement in the mind of the reader, without actually delivering, once the product has been purchased, and certainly not fulfilling the promise alluded to. And I don’t want to have to do a course in building a web site, optimizing it, learning HTML, SEO, pay per click and on and on. In summary I want to write my piece in the most economical way possible, and deliver the message to the maximum number if people in my target market. Without sounding too altruistic, I want to write something that endures, helps and is in demand and will provide a vehicle for successive followups. Trust this makes sense. As an aside “power pause” should be a mandatory requirement for anyone entering the world of the internet.
Kind regards, Cyril Ashby
I for one would like to read your book.
Donna.
John I am in South Africa and have a manuscript, written over a two year period after being retrenched and not finding work (time given to me by the Universe to do this project). It contains essays, a short story and prose with fine art photograpic images to go with some – all with a universal spiritual message. Many who I have shared bits here and there with, has expressed awe at the simplicity and power of this work but no publisher (in SA anyway) is interested, stating that their readers would not be interested – I absolutely disagree. I have published bits and bobs in my Motoring newspaper as part of my weekly editorial comment with tremendous response from readers. I have however now, after 18 months of doing this been intructed to stop my philosophical writings in the motoring paper – probably because my writings were cutting too close to the bone, I don’t know! I am not sure how to proceed from here on. Perhaps you can offer some guidance.
Kind regards
Matthys