You’re probably wondering, “Why do I need to articulate my why? And what that heck does that even mean?”
I believe it’s crucial to know why you are writing your book because, if you aren’t clear about what you want to accomplish with your writing, odds are you won’t be satisfied with the work you’re doing.
Knowing your ‘why’ is about giving you a point on which to focus (kind of like that sweet dimple on your true love’s chin) when you’d rather be doing anything other than slogging through a scene or editing a chapter of your love story.
When the work of writing feels like work, knowing your why, being able to point to the reason you started this crazy adventure, the passion you have for your story, or for connecting with future readers, can give you the push you need to keep at it.
There’s a reason you chose to stop and read this blog post. There’s a reason you’re here on this website, and my guess is that you’re here, now, because the romance book that you want to write has been living with you without the courtesy of declaring it’s exclusive. How rude!
Odds are that you’ve sat down many times to work on this story. But something’s kept you from fully committing to getting it done. An excuse from a voice, likely inside your own head, that has whispered cautions to keep you from writing.
Well, that voice loses its power right now. Once you know the answer to the most important question you’ll ask yourself thsi week, you’ll have the snappy comeback that that mean girl needs to hear to settle down and let you write!
I’m going to ask you the questions that are on this page, but don’t stop to write them down yet. You’ll get better results with this exercise if you close your eyes and just listen – both to my voice and the answers that you hear in your head. You won’t forget them.
And wait. One tip. Each time you answer, I want you to go deeper into your previous why answer. Don’t just repeat the same thought since the questions are meant to build on each other.
You ready?
Hit the little play button and then close your eyes.
What is your why?
Take a deep breath in and hold it …. Now release.
One more. Deep breath in. Hold… release…
- Why do you need to write the romance novel you’ve been thinking about?
- Why do you need to write this specific book?
- Why are you the best person to tell this love story?
- Why do you need to write this romance novel now?
- How will you feel once your book is written?
- Why do you need to write your book?
Open your eyes. Spend some time writing down and thinking about your answers.
If more than one of your answers is out of your control (“My contract requires it”) or because of another person (“My partner thinks it’s a great idea”), do the exercise again until all of the answers you hear are personal and within your control.
If you can’t get to that place, of having a personal reason why this book is so important to you, maybe consider that the story you’re focused on telling might not be the one you should be writing, right now… just consider it.
