If you want to write and publish a book, chances are that it’s your own idea. It’s not a school assignment. It’s not a work assignment. It’s not a result of family pressure. It’s you who wants to do it.

Now ask yourself: “What exactly am I writing for?” “What do I hope to accomplish with a published book?” Whatever your answers are, write them down and keep them close at hand.

If you’re like most authors, those answers run deep. Something deep inside you wants to see your words displayed like gems across the page, to hold your beautiful finished book in your hands, to see those glowing book reviews praise your knowledge and skill, and to hear from all the readers for whom you’ve made a difference in their lives.

But what is that something that makes it all possible? What is that something that fuels you, drives you and propels you towards writing a whole book and then getting it published and selling briskly in the marketplace? That something is your passion.

Passion is the driving force behind every book project; it’s the stuff that every book lives and dies by.

What Passion Can Do

Passion is what takes a book all the way from the “Wouldn’t it be nice…” stage to the “I have a successful book!” stage.

Your passion is what generates your book idea and then ignites your journey to write a book. Your passion is what gives you that burst of enthusiasm to actually sit down and write your book. Your passion is what keeps your desire to finish and nurture your book going until your book is all done and published and marketed and selling and selling and still selling. As an experienced author and publisher, I can tell you: passion’s awesome power is not be underestimated, or done without.

It takes a lot of energy and commitment to do a book well. You have to be passionate enough about your subject and about reaching an audience in order to see it through and have it be a book that matters.

Your passion is what will see you and your book through to the finish line. Your passion is what will create those words displayed like gems across the page. Your passion is what will forge that beautiful finished book in your hands. Your passion is what will motivate those glowing book reviews praising your knowledge and skill. Your passion is what will inspire those readers for whom you will make a difference. Your passion is what will answer those fundamental questions: “What exactly am I writing for?” “What do I hope to accomplish with a published book?”

How to Get Your Book Done

At this point, some of you may feel fired up, but others may still be wondering: “Do I have enough passion to do this?” In both cases, here are some important questions to ask yourself:

• Do I have enough time to invest in the writing, editing, publishing and marketing of my book?
• Will I still feel passionate about my book in six months?
• Am I willing to market and promote my book over and over again?
• How would I feel if I didn’t finish my book?
• Will I still be proud of my book and my efforts two years down the road?
• Will I still be proud of my book even if I get a bad book review?

These days an author’s involvement doesn’t stop after writing the words “The End.”

Today the difference between a book idea and a successful book is simple: all the hours of passion-driven dedication that an author is willing to invest in it.

Now let’s put it another way. Are you familiar with Aesop’s fable “The Tortoise and the Hare?” Like in the fable, book publishing rewards authors who are driven AND disciplined enough to work steadily towards their goals.

What about you? Are you passionate enough about your subject and about reaching an audience in order to see your book through?

Book Advice and Motivation

We are experienced authors and publishers. If you have questions or are looking for more advice about writing, publishing and selling your book, then please contact Gail at Info@DudleyCourtPress.com. We can help get you and your book on the way to publishing success. Also, check out our newest online programs Writer’s Sprint, Memoir Writing Made Easy and Aspiring Author to Published Pro.