Why write a book?

You always knew you had it in you.

But for whatever reason, writing your book took a backseat to other priorities in your life.

Maybe you were too busy with work or family commitments.

Maybe the thought of putting yourself and your ideas out there seemed daunting.

Or maybe, deep down, you didn’t think you were good enough.

But as you look around the world and see so many books published every day – books on every topic imaginable – you start to wonder if it’s time to write and publish your book.

After all, if so, many others can do it, why not you?

There’ll never be a “perfect” time to do it. Other things will compete for your attention, focus and time.

In that way, writing a book is like anything else you might want to accomplish in life.

You’ll never have all the time, energy and resources you think you need to do it.

But if it’s something you truly want to do – a goal that feeds your soul – then there’s no better time than now.

15 Reasons Why You Should Write A Book

Share Your Unique Story


Writing a book is a powerful avenue to share your unique story.

Each person’s life is a mosaic of experiences, lessons, and insights that, when penned down, can inspire, educate, and resonate with others.

Crafting your narrative into a book not only immortalizes your journey but also offers hope, a source of comfort, or a catalyst for change in your readers’ lives.

By choosing to write, you embrace the opportunity to influence, connect, and contribute to the vast tapestry of human experience.

Establish Expertise

Writing a book on a specific subject can significantly elevate your standing as an authority in your area of expertise.

This endeavor not only demonstrates your depth of knowledge but also your commitment to sharing that knowledge with others.

A published work serves as a tangible testament to your expertise, enhancing your credibility among peers, clients, and within your industry.

As a result, authorship can open doors to new professional opportunities, including speaking engagements, consultations, and broader recognition in your field.

Personal Growth

Writing a book is not only about sharing knowledge or stories but also about the profound personal growth that comes with it.

The process demands introspection, discipline, and creativity, leading writers to discover new facets of themselves.

As you translate thoughts into words, you’ll encounter challenges that test your resolve, push your limits, and ultimately, foster a deeper understanding of who you are and what you’re capable of.

This journey of self-discovery enriches your life, making writing a book a transformative experience beyond mere expression.

Leave A Legacy

Writing a book offers the unparalleled opportunity to leave a lasting legacy, allowing your voice, ideas, and stories to resonate with future generations.

This enduring impact forms a bridge between the past and the future, ensuring that your contributions to knowledge, culture, or entertainment transcend the limits of your own lifetime.

A book is more than just pages and words; it’s a testament to your life’s work, passions, and insights, preserved for posterity.

Reach A Global Audience

In today’s digital age, writing a book opens the door to reaching a global audience like never before.

Online platforms, e-books, and social media have demolished traditional geographical barriers, allowing authors to share their work with readers around the world instantly.

This global reach not only amplifies your voice but also diversifies your impact, connecting you with people from various cultures and backgrounds.

Writing a book in this digital era means your story, knowledge, or insights have the potential to touch lives far beyond your immediate surroundings.

Generate Passive Income

Publishing a book can be a rewarding way to generate passive income.

Once your book is available, sales and royalties can provide a steady income stream without the need for continuous effort.

This financial benefit adds to the personal and professional advantages of authorship, making writing a book a potentially lucrative endeavor.

Fulfil A Dream

For many, writing a book is a deeply held aspiration, embodying a desire to share stories, insights, or knowledge.

Achieving this dream is not just a significant personal accomplishment but also a profoundly satisfying milestone. I

t marks a journey of dedication, creativity, and expression that culminates in something uniquely one’s own.

The fulfillment derived from realizing this dream extends beyond the pages, enriching the author’s life with a sense of achievement and purpose.

To Challenge Yourself

Taking on the challenge of writing a book is a remarkable journey of self-improvement and learning.

It pushes you beyond your comfort zone, tests your discipline, and hones your ability to articulate complex ideas.

Through this process, you’ll encounter obstacles and breakthroughs that not only enhance your writing skills but also deepen your understanding of yourself and the world around you.

This growth, both personal and professional, is a rewarding outcome of the rigorous and enriching experience of book writing.

To Improve Your Writing Skills

Writing a book is a powerful tool for enhancing your writing skills.

Through the iterative process of drafting, revising, and editing, you engage deeply with the craft of writing.

This engagement helps you refine your narrative techniques, improve your grammar and vocabulary, and better express your thoughts and ideas. The discipline required in writing a book also teaches you how to structure your work effectively, making your future writing endeavors more impactful and coherent.

To Contribute To Your Community

Writing a book can significantly contribute to a community by fostering a sense of connection and shared understanding.

Through your work, you can address topics that resonate with specific groups, provide representation, and offer insights that support collective growth and awareness.

This contribution strengthens communal bonds and promotes a culture of learning and empathy.

To Inspire Change

Books wield the power to ignite transformative changes in individuals and societies by presenting new perspectives, inspiring ideas, and challenging preconceptions.

Through compelling narratives and insightful analyses, authors can motivate readers to reassess their beliefs, behaviors, and the world around them, often prompting action towards personal growth or social change.

This profound influence underscores the significance of literature as a catalyst for development and progress, highlighting the invaluable role of authors in shaping thought and inspiring a better future.

To Cultivate Discipline

The journey of writing a book is a masterclass in cultivating discipline and mastering time management.

This rigorous process teaches writers to set goals, adhere to schedules, and persist through challenges, honing skills that are invaluable across all facets of life.

Beyond the accomplishment of completing a manuscript, the discipline acquired through this endeavor equips individuals with the tools to tackle various personal and professional challenges, showcasing the profound impact of writing beyond the page.

To Enjoy Creative Freedom

Embarking on the journey of writing a book opens a vast landscape of creative freedom, allowing authors to explore and express their imaginations without the confines of external expectations or constraints.

This liberating process offers a unique space for creativity to flourish, enabling writers to bring their most innovative ideas and stories to life in their purest forms.

Through writing, individuals can fully embrace their artistic visions, experimenting with narratives, characters, and worlds in a way that is entirely their own.

Questions You Should Ask Before Writing A Book

There exist a handful of questions that you ought to answer as a form of reflection.

These questions will be your guide in determining whether writing a book is truly the right choice for you at this point in your life:

Why do I want to write a book?

Motivation is the foremost consideration. You must figure out what motivates you to write a book because the act requires serious commitment. In other words, there’s no way you’ll get to the finish line unless you’re truly motivated.

Are you looking to share knowledge, tell a story, or build credibility in your field?

Your underlying motive will fuel your writing process and help you overcome challenges.

Who is my target audience?

Knowing who you’re writing for is key to identifying your book’s content, tone, and style.

Your audience affects everything from the language you use to how you market your book. As such, you must define this early to ensure your message resonates with your intended readers.

For example, if your target audience is young adults, you’ll want to ensure your writing style and tone are age-appropriate.

Each audience has unique expectations, experiences, and preferences, shaping how they perceive and engage with your book.

A lack of understanding of your target audience is potentially a recipe for disaster, leading to miscommunication and a disconnect.

Your book could inadvertently alienate readers or fail to deliver the value they seek, thus diminishing its impact and reach.

Young adults, for instance, might prefer a fast-paced narrative and contemporary issues that they can relate to, while a more academic audience will value thorough research and sophisticated argumentation.

Crafting a message without audience insight is akin to speaking in a language your readers don’t understand.

It’s not enough to simply speak – you must be heard and understood.

What unique perspective or information can I provide?

The market is saturated with books on virtually every subject. Consider what new insights, experiences, or angles you can bring to a topic that will set your book apart from others and provide value to your readers.

Offering a unique perspective is not merely about standing out for the sake of being different. It’s about filling a gap in the conversation and providing readers with something they cannot get elsewhere. When you present a fresh angle or untold story, you contribute valuable insights that will enlighten, inspire, or challenge your readers. Your unique viewpoint will have to spark dialogue, influence opinions, or sway the prevailing narrative on a topic.

In a crowded market, a distinctive voice must be the key to visibility and success. The singularity of your perspective turns readers into advocates for your work, who will share it within their circles, amplifying its impact.

How much time can I realistically commit to writing?

Writing a book is a serious investment of your time. Therefore, assessing your available time will help you set realistic writing goals and a timeline for completion, which is paramount for keeping you on track and motivated.

Consider your other commitments, i.e., work, family, or hobbies. How much time can you devote to writing? What sacrifices are you willing to make? Setting clear boundaries will help ensure that you don’t spread yourself too thin and compromise the quality of your work.

You must likewise be realistic in estimating how long it will take for research, writing, editing, and publishing. Different genres and book lengths demand different timelines, so do your research to align your expectations with reality. Anticipating the amount of work ahead will prevent burnout and boost productivity.

What resources and support will I need?

Whether it’s research materials, writing tools, or a community of writers for feedback, recognizing what you need to complete your book will allow you to plan effectively and avoid potential roadblocks in your writing journey.

Identify the resources you’ll need, i.e., reference materials, software or apps for writing and outlining, and beta readers or editors to provide feedback on your manuscript.

You may also consider joining a writing group or hiring professional services to help with editing, design and publishing.

A support system will help alleviate stress and ensure you have the tools to produce a high-quality book.

It also provides opportunities for collaboration and learning, improving your writing skills and chances of success.

One good example of this is the writing community on social media platforms.

These platforms were non-existent back then, but they’ve become valuable spaces for writers to connect, share ideas and network.

You’ll get valuable feedback on your writing, learn from seasoned authors and find potential collaborators or readers.

Am I prepared for criticism and rejection?

As a writer, you must be resilient in the face of criticism and rejection.

Not everyone will like your writing; some may even dislike it passionately.

If you’re not ready for this, you’ll be discouraged and give up before your book reaches its full potential. Remember, as much as criticism and rejection are negative, they’re opportunities to learn and improve your craft.

Criticism will help identify flaws or areas for improvement in your writing.

To put it into perspective, it will enable you to make the necessary revisions to create a better book.

Rejection is an unfortunate reality of the publishing world, so instead of dwelling on negative feedback, use it as motivation to keep pushing forward and submitting your work to different outlets.

Rejection doesn’t necessarily equate to failure, nor does it define the quality of your work.

Many bestselling authors faced rejection before finding success, so use it as a learning experience and keep improving your skills. Being open-minded and receptive to constructive criticism means everything for growth as a writer and building credibility in your field.

You’re No Good Writer, So Why Write Your Book?

It’s a question that many aspiring writers may have asked themselves at some point in their journey.

The doubts and insecurities could be overwhelming, especially when faced with challenges or criticism.

However, the answer lies in the fact that everyone has a unique story and way of telling it. It’s not about being a good writer; it’s about having something worth sharing and discovering your voice.

No one is born to be a writer; it takes practice, dedication, and perseverance to become skilled at it.

But with every word written, you’ll learn more about yourself and refine your writing style. Your book may not be perfect or acclaimed by critics, but most importantly, you have created something meaningful and true to who you are.

Writing a book requires self-reflection, determination, and a willingness to improve.

It’s not an easy journey, but there’s a constant prospect of it being incredibly rewarding personally and professionally. So don’t let your doubts hold you back from sharing your unique perspective with the world through the power of words.

Last Thoughts On Why You Should Write A Book

Writing a book is more than just an act of creativity.

It’s a journey that offers profound personal and professional rewards.

It allows you to dive deep into your own experiences, insights, and imaginations, providing a platform to share these with the world.

This process not only nurtures personal growth and establishes your expertise but also lets you leave a legacy that can inspire and enlighten others.

By undertaking this journey, you embrace the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, connecting with readers across the globe and inviting them into your world.

Whether your goal is to inspire change, foster personal discipline, or simply revel in the joy of creative expression, writing a book is a powerful way to achieve these ambitions and contribute to a larger dialogue.

Joel Mark Harris

Joel Mark Harris graduated from the Langara School of Journalism in 2007. Joel is an award-winning journalist, novelist, screenwriter and producer.

He has ghostwritten numerous books in all types of genres including true life crime, business, memoir, and self help. With over 1,000 blog posts to his name, he has helped hundreds of business owners scale their business and increase their visibility. You can email him at info@ghostwritersandco.com