| It was the first time I overheard someone whisper | | | | parties. (Hint: authors are often considered VIPs or |
| "she's the author", as I walked into a book signing, that I | | | | celebrities! It's true!) |
| suddenly realized that I had achieved something very | | | | When I started writing my first book, it wasn't because |
| special. Not only had I managed to get my book | | | | I was sure I wanted Bill O'Reilly's producer to have my |
| published, I now received respect and admiration from | | | | name in his Rolodex to call whenever he needed a |
| total strangers. Being an author even it today's digitized | | | | 'mystical' New Age expert. (In fact I'm not sure I've |
| world, is still an awe-inspiring accomplishment. | | | | ever wanted that at all!) I didn't devote hundreds of |
| In 2005 USA TODAY reported eighty-two percent of | | | | hours to stories of couples finding one another through |
| Americans say they plan to write a book someday. I | | | | magical, mystical ways just to impress strangers at a |
| think the critical word here is 'plan'. If you want to be | | | | cocktail party. And I can definitely tell you I didn't write |
| someone who really does write a book, you can begin | | | | six books just to tell my old high school classmates |
| right now by understanding how being an author will | | | | about it. |
| improve your life. | | | | I wrote because I had to. I had a story inside of me |
| Here is my top ten list why you should become an | | | | that wouldn't rest until I put it onto the page. The |
| author today, especially if you are a spirituality, self help | | | | benefits of actually finishing the book and becoming a |
| or personal growth expert: | | | | bona fide author and the other "reasons" were simply |
| | | | an afterthought. |
| 1. Authors are recognized as experts by virtue of | | | | I can do everything short of putting a cattle prod under |
| having a book with their name on the cover | | | | you to get you started on writing your self help book, |
| 2. The media loves authors (i.e. experts) and uses | | | | but, at the end of the day, writing has to be something |
| them often, on all levels | | | | you want to do. Sure, it's hard to sit down day after |
| 3. Being an author improves your chances of getting | | | | day and stare at a blank computer screen. I know |
| paid speaking engagements | | | | how hard it is to tell your mom or your husband that |
| 4. While you may not become a millionaire from writing | | | | you only typed two pages in an entire day. I can tell |
| a book, you can certainly improve your chances of | | | | you hundreds of great things about being an author, |
| increasing your income | | | | but not a single one will really get you to the finish line. |
| 5. When you go to your high school reunion, you can | | | | What will get you down the home stretch is the |
| finally shove your book under the noses of all who | | | | satisfaction of knowing that you're being true to |
| snubbed you in your teenage years | | | | yourself. You dreamt of becoming an author because |
| 6. If you ever felt that you weren't 'smart enough', | | | | you had to. You envisioned title ideas and chapter |
| writing a book will certainly go a long way in curing that. | | | | outlines because they came to you and wouldn't go |
| 7. Being an author gives you a stronger sense of | | | | away. You told your friends you wanted to write a |
| self-esteem | | | | book because you could and you will. |
| 8. Your book will open doors and create business | | | | You are an author, and you always have been. All you |
| opportunities you wouldn't have received without it | | | | need to do now is make it happen. It might not be |
| 9. Having a book gives you a platform for teaching | | | | scintillating cocktail banter that puts a finished |
| workshops and seminars | | | | manuscript in your hands, but keeping your eyes on |
| 10. Being an author is a great icebreaker at cocktail | | | | the prize can't hurt. |