Why SHOULD I?

One of my favourite quotes is from Christopher Reeve. I have referred to this quote for over a decade and adapted it into my writing journey pre-WOW moment. I wrote this quote in my first journal book:

As much as I love this quote, I used to think too hard about its implications for my life:

• What is the pH level of the water? Is there too much chlorine in the pool?  Will the salt water from the ocean wreck my hair?

• What’s wrong with the “shallow end?” What if all the “cool kids” hang out there?  What if my family is chilling out there?  Who are you to judge if I choose to hang out in the shallow end???

• How “safe” is this ocean? What if the waves are too rough? Where are the lifeguards? Are there sharks in the ocean?

• What if I can’t swim? What if I drown? Are YOU going to be there to save me, Superman???

• Why do I have to CHOOSE between a pool and an ocean? Why is one seen in more of a negative light?  Why can’t they both intertwine?

Many people like to take the plunge into a body of water before knowing how deep it is.  Or, whether or not the water is toxic.  Are we thinking too hard before taking risks to follow our dreams or goals? Is this what happens when we are “Adulting” and not LIVING - we spend more time asking questions than experimenting with answers? More time THINKING vs DOING?  And is this always a bad thing?

I’m happy to report I am still enjoying my daily writing sessions after 667 days. I am reflecting more often, remembering many dreams in November (enough to capture an outline in my journal), and I have a few themes lined up for December newsletters. After today, I am 10 newsletters away from achieving my 52-week streak. WHOO!

Naturally, like every non-famous writer does, it’s time for me to take the plunge and write a BOOK…

Wait, what???

For many years, I have heard the statement: “You should write a BOOK!”

I “should”… should I? Why should I?

There are many reasons WHY an individual could, would, and should write a book. What is my WHY? Is it easier than it sounds to answer this question?  As much as I love the IDEA of writing and publishing a book, I have more questions spinning off from “WHY SHOULD I WRITE A BOOK?”

✨ LIVING THE DREAM

I love to dream.  I love to write about my dreams. I dream about my dreams.  And I have experienced first-hand how dreams can become reality. Writing a book is one dream I can see as a reality.

A published book is a dream for many writers. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which ends today, encouraged writers around the world to commit to a specific number of words to write a book in November.  I commend everyone who took the plunge. I enjoyed following their wins and struggles on Twitter/X. Seeing the challenges of other writers helps me face the reality of how writing books can go. 

I love the idea of writing a book.  It is truly my DREAM to be a published author? 

✨ CAPTURING THE LIFE JOURNEY

I’m not sure if I told you how much I love journaling.

Seriously? You didn’t know?

I’ll say it again - I LOVE JOURNALING!!!

Writing in my journal is a daily self-therapy session among other things. There are many things I write about because I don’t want to forget about the experience. Is it possible my “Adulting” and other learnings may help others?  A newsletter is the first step for me to share these experiences.  Is a book the next natural step after journaling & newsletters?

✨ A MAP FROM MY PAST

What I write will outlive me. I think about the footprints along the path I want to leave behind for my daughter.  How do I want her to remember me?  What personal, cultural or family history do I want to pass over? My journals capture multiple versions of myself. Do I publish an edited version of my journals for her?

Other people may be able to relate and learn from my struggles and how I overcame them.  Memoir writers bravely share a part of their life journey with the world. Am I ready to take a chapter or two of my life and share it with the world? 

✨ SHARING ENLIGHTENED NONSENSE

I am human.  I have opinions.  How else can I legitimize my crazy ideas??? 

C’mon, I wrote three newsletters about a tree.  A TREE!!!

Hey, it was a beautiful tree. Yet my thoughts went in different directions as I wrote.  I regret nothing.  Admitting to my fear of SKYNET was a relief. Would these thoughts and ideas work better in a book format?

I don’t meditate, I journal (did I mention I love journaling?).  I draw spirals everywhere I go.  I have concepts about the deep revelations of the universe beginning as a speck. This may make me a weirdo.  I would like to say I’m “unique.”  And uniqueness may fit better in a book format.

I am also a huge fan of Emmy Award Winning THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (on a side, I can’t believe Cole Howard is returning - not from the dead! Please hook up with Victoria Newman and NOT Ashley Abbot).  I love Sailor Moon, the crazy things my cats do, and heavily critiquing movie remakes (looking at you, Disney - STOP DESTROYING EVERY ANIMATED MOVIE WITH HORRIBLY RE-INTERPRETED LIVE ACTION FILMS). Why not write about how a few of my favourite things influenced my thinking in a formatted book? Or should I only write about these topics? (Yes, watch out Disney…) 

✨ BEING REAL & LEGITIMIZING FEARS

Along with my “unique” opinions and preferences, I have and continue to work on various forms of writing fears.  This newsletter helps tremendously and the support from friends and family (and enemies) will never be forgotten. Do I step it up a notch and write a book about these fears and how I slowly overcome them?

Why do I want to write a book? Is it for bragging rights? Oodles of dollars? World domination? Cementing my words into history? I can confidently say it is for none of these reasons. 

We all have a story to tell. We can all write a book when we can determine our WHY(s). Sometimes we know our WHY and get stuck on the HOW and WHEN. I chose to take a pivot on my writing path and focus on the newsletter before seeking publication from recognized sources. Similar to being in the shallow end of the pool, then chilling in the hot tub to warm up, and finally making my way to the deep end.

Do I want to write a book?  ABSOLUTELY!  Am I going to start writing one today? Uh… NO.  Not yet. I am warming up first. And I am having fun along my journey.

I continue to look at my favourite quote regularly. I interpret it as seeking one or multiple paths (the pool or the ocean). Once I was afraid to go deep.  I used to believe the pool was NOT the way to go.  I no longer see it as pool vs ocean.  My writing path led me to a small pool CONNECTED to the vast ocean.  I am dipping my toes into the water flowing between both places. 

I am in no rush to dive in. When I do, I will float and enjoy the warm sun along the horizon. 

Thank you to every super person I know encouraging me to ask myself WHY SHOULD I WRITE A BOOK? I do not take this dream for granted. I used to think I had to be “ready” to start.  

I believe I have already started…?

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these weekly nano-books (aka newsletters).

Find your pool or ocean and keep swimming, fellow creatives.

Naddy / Nadine