Do you have a book inside you?

Many people often claim to have a book within them, sparking numerous questions: What genre? What's the story about? Who's the protagonist? Who are the intended readers? These queries can be overwhelming, and not all writers have answers to all of them. Yet, it's unnecessary to have all the answers. If you feel the urge to tell a story, then tell it.

My journey into writing began with a simple request from one of my daughters to transform the bedtime stories I used to tell them into written tales. Although I've always enjoyed spinning yarns, I didn't attempt to write them down until my later years. I embarked on this writing adventure in my sixties, armed with no formal training or knowledge of storytelling techniques. Everything I know about writing has unfolded for me in the past three years.

My stories traverse various genres, including factual accounts, children's stories, and young adult/middle-grade fiction. Those who have read my work have praised its creativity and narrative style. None of this would have been possible without my determination to write. Today, I find myself compelled to write; I cannot stop. Whenever I have fifteen spare minutes, I grab my laptop and start typing. The stories inhabit my mind, and if I don't release them onto paper, I suffer from debilitating headaches.

I'm not suggesting that you'll face the same struggles with writing or experience stories incessantly nagging at your mind. However, if you have a story within you, my advice is simple: write it. There are countless excuses one could use to avoid writing, but imagine the joy of sharing a story that captivates everyone who reads it.

My writing process might not be unique, but it's deeply personal. I'm a pantser, a discovery writer. I embark on my writing journeys without detailed plans, discovering the story as I write. Famous discovery writers like Stephen King, Quentin Tarantino, Margaret Atwood, and Isaac Asimov share this approach. In contrast, there are plotters, and meticulous planners like J.K. Rowling and John Grisham, who meticulously craft their stories through extensive notes, character sketches, and detailed outlines.

As a discovery writer, I sit down with a vague idea, knowing the protagonist's name, the genre, and the target audience. I might have a rough ending in mind. Then, I write. Scenes come to me, and I jot them down, adding titles to scenes that might enhance the story to write later as I go. I don't indulge in elaborate plotting or detailed story design.

You don't need to categorize yourself as a particular type of writer before you begin. Many authors don't fit neatly into one category; some are hybrids, blending planning and discovery. The key, regardless of your writing style, is to write. Without writing, your book will remain an unfinished dream. So, pick up that pen or keyboard and start writing your story today.