category: Book Chapter,Chapter Section
by Alexis Leon, Comments Off on 2.7 Writing

“Writing is a lonely job. Even if a writer socializes regularly, when he gets down to the real business of his life, it is he and his type writer or word processor. No one else is or can be involved in the matter.” – Isaac Asimov

Writing is one of the loneliest jobs in this world. Only you can write what you have to write. Of course, you can dictate what you want to write and then get it transcribed. But the act of forming ideas, researching the topics, reading the related books, finding the appropriate references, developing the ideas, creating the content, organizing and structuring it, preparing the outline, and then developing the TOC and outline into a book (or giving flesh and blood to the outline) are something you have to do yourself.

In some instances, your friends, family, colleagues, reviewers, and editors can help you. But they can do only a fraction of what you have to do.

Some of the most important things, in addition to excellent knowledge in your field of expertise, which you should have to write a book is determination, passion, perseverance, and tenacity to work hard in isolation. This means regularly giving up many good and dear things in life for the sake of completing the book. Your social life will become very limited and your family life will suffer if your family members are not understanding and supportive. No wonder most of the books are dedicated to family members for their love and support!

During the writing process, the support, understanding, and encouragement of your family and friends cannot be overemphasized. You will be spending many hours in your study with the doors closed asking nobody to interrupt to you while you are working. Even when you are with your family and friends, your mind might be preoccupied with some aspect of the book.

You might want to take a few days off from work when you feel that you are in the ‘zone’ and when the productivity is high. In such situations you superiors and co-workers should understand and support you.

Even with all the help and support that you can get, the stress and strain is something you have to bear as you are the one who is writing the book. But the pain and agony is worth the trouble. The feeling when you hold the printed book in your hand is something that is out of the world.

So do write. It is hard work. But keep writing till the book is done.

[Note: This is the first draft of the book. I would require your comments, suggestions and feedback to make the book more useful, interesting, and as error free as possible. Please send your comments, suggestions and feedback to me.]