You have an idea for a book, but something’s stopping you from sitting down and writing the damn thing. So, how do you get inspired to write? How do you become one with the muse and channel your inner voice and, y’know, get all inspired like a “real writer?” You immerse yourself in your subject.
Wanna write a book that helps people struggling with addiction? Read all the addiction books. Wanna write a memoir of your experiences? Read great memoirs. And bad ones. Want to share business advice you wish you had at the start of your career? Plow through every business book you can get your hands on.
You get the idea. Whatever your subject is, read all about it.
But… isn’t this a BAD idea?
Sometimes wanna-be writers are scared to read other books about their subject. They don’t want their ideas to get muddled. They don’t want to accidentally steal something. They don’t want to be influenced.
I get it.
And I think it’s dumb.
I understand, because it’s natural to worry about these things. But it’s also counter-productive. We should be influenced by other ideas in the world. We should be connected to other conversations.
We do not write or publish in a vacuum. If we want to be a useful contributor to the societal conversation on our subject, we need to know what society is saying.
We can choose to embrace ideas from other writers, and let them add to our immense collection of knowledge garnered from all corners of our lives. Or we can reject their ideas, and be empowered to speak to why they don’t work.
But you can’t do either if you don’t know what others are saying on your subject.
So let’s find out. Let’s get inspired to write by absorbing inspiration from those who have blazed the trail before us.
Finding inspiring books
The best way to find inspiring books to read on our subject is to ask others.
People LOVE being asked their opinion. Give them the gift of being able to share, and get the gift of inspiration. Win-win.
1. Ask your network
Ask your mates, post on Facebook, question your colleagues, search on LinkedIn, and check with your mother-in-law. Who has a book they can recommend about [your subject]? Do this in person or on social media while in your jammies. Do this everywhere you can.
2. Ask Amazon
Or Barnes & Noble, or your local indie bookshop. If your store of choice has an online presence, you can stay in your jammies for this one, too. Simply search their site for your subject, or click the categories and keep clicking until you get to the more detailed categories. Then note what shows up.
3. Ask a librarian
It is literally a librarian’s job to know a lot of books. And these word-wizards have incredible search skills. They can out-google any of us, and can manipulate the library database’s search filters like a demon. Tell a librarian you’re looking for a book like X but without Y, and they will unearth new gems for you. Real clothes required for this one, please.
Just beware
There is one caveat to this inspiration mission:
If you start comparing yourself to these published authors, or your idea to their published books, please stop, drop, and exit in an orderly fashion.
You’ll know if sneaky, shitty comparison thoughts are edging in because they’ll sound like this:
I’ll never write something this good.
Well, damn. This is exactly what I wanted to write. And it’s already been done.
Why would anyone read my book when they can read these ones?
What’s the point?
Bluuuuuurgh.
These thoughts are normal when you’re comparing your barely-started, rough idea to a finished, edited, polished book. And they’re also not helpful. They make you seize up.
So step away, and go do something to remind yourself of how awesome you are.
Are you killer at executing client work? Go serve some folks. Do you make the world’s best brownies? Whip up a batch. Do you give your kid the best cuddles? Wrap those arms around ‘em.
Get a little boost, then get back to educating and inspiring yourself about the world you want to enter—the world of writing about your subject. You got this.
You, my friend, are a real writer.
Thanks,
Liz “Jammies Researcher Extraordinaire” Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing
P.S. Know anyone else who wants to write but doesn't feel like a "real author?" Share this post with them! And they can take the quiz on what's REALLY stopping them from writing their book here.
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