Do you have a book in you? by Irene Peterson

There's an old saying that goes something like, "Everybody has one book in them."

I don't know who started it, but the older I get, the more realistic this becomes because the world of publishing has changed so drastically.

Anybody who can string together enough words can put their words up on Amazon and the other easy-pub places. It's a hell of a lot easier than going through the pain and suffering of locating an agent then an editor and going through the motions of sending and getting rejected repeatedly until someone decides to agree with you that your words have great meaning and should be shared with others. You get offered a contract, sign it and you're off as a published author after numerous rewrites and editorial discussions.

Now, this very minute, if you have enough words, you don't need the editor/agent thing. All you need is someone to format the book correctly, come up with some kind of attractive cover and submit it to anywhere that takes these submissions and makes them into books. Heck, you can even get print on demand for your precious words and buyers can get a paperback book to hold while they read those golden words!

Such a difference in the world.

But, I have digressed.

I wanted to write about the idea that everybody has at least one book in them.

I believe it.

I've listened to people at book signings and street fairs and libraries and bookstores. So many of them start out with "I have a story you should write" and then the proceed to tell me, at length, their story idea.
It's usually supposed to be true. Their uncle or aunt or mother or father or cousin or the guy down the street had this adventure that I "wouldn't believe". And usually, there is some kernel of a great idea within the tale, but I tell them it is not for me to write. They should write it as it is their story.

I wonder if anybody ever has.

Yes. That family story that has everybody laughing around the table at Thanksgiving is probably one that lots of people would laugh at. But they need to see it in print. They need to know it happened and it is up to someone to write down the words.

If you say you can't write, well, writing is something that can be learned. Take a night school class. Join a writing group. Go to conferences where published authors do their best to give workshops that teach just what you want to know...how to write well. Sit down at your computer or grab a pencil and notebook and put down the words. Your words.

Tell that story, that tragedy, that mystery, that romance, that farce, that unbelievable turn of events that's burning inside you to be written.

But don't tell me I should write it. I have enough ideas of my own.


Author Irene Peterson has had a strange life that included being a high school English teacher, truck driver, WAC and mother. She used to be psychic but gave it up after seeing too many dead people. Her most recent book deals with both the psychic and ghosts, and, oh, yeah, a physicist with ADHD.

Check out Irene's latest ebook novel: When a noted physicist and pessimist meets a positive psychic, sparks--and accusations--fly. He has ADHD and doesn't know it. She's fancied him forever...but can't admit it. And then there are the ghosts who just want the living to leave everything just the way it was. Can an unhappy couple of sneaky specters give them a ghost of a chance at falling in love?

http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-My-Ectoplasm-ebook/dp/B009XW6B68

www.irenepeterson.com