Hello my lovely writers.
I received an email and needed to share a little of the content with you to emphasise why writing a book is work, but good work.
The email was from a Canadian lady called Kylie Redhead, and she talked about how, in this day and age, we use the word ‘work’ to mean something negative or something we don’t want to do.
Kylie said she looked at the origin of the word ‘work’ and it actually means an activity that fulfils an inner desire. That really spoke to me as it encapsulated so much of what I talk about.
Writing a book is work
Yes, writing a book is hard work. There’s a lot going on and there’s so much to juggle, but writing is fun and it can be joyous.
The idea that it fulfils an inner desire really speaks into that. When you embark on a book, or a short story, there’s something you want to say, and saying it in the right way takes work.
But this kind of work is fulfilling. Something is calling you to do that work, something is driving you to write that story. It’s the kind of work that fills you up.
There’s a calling inside you that wants to tell stories and wants to share those stories with the world.
If you can see that yes, writing a book is work but also it’s an inner passion, an inner drive, an inner calling, then it can make that work feel worthwhile and not a drudgery.
It stops being work you don’t want to do or work you keep putting off, but work as in you’re striving for something great, something beyond you, something that is going to outlive you.
Reframe the word ‘work’
It’s striving for something that will give you inner peace, inner contentment, an inner sense of fulfilment and, therefore, work that is worth doing.
That work is worth pursuing if it’s going to be that inner calling and give you what you need to have a more fulfilled, enjoyable and creative life.
Reframe that word ‘work’ and see what happens.
Emma xx
Emma Dhesi
Emma Dhesi is an author mindset coach and bestselling author who helps writers let go of perfectionism, self-doubt and writer’s block through her signature programme, Unlock Your Creative Block.
She is the host of the YouTube Channel, Emma Dhesi, where she interviews debut and experienced authors alike.
Through her 1:1 coaching programme, Emma helps new authors start and finish their first novel.
Emma provides personal written feedback on their pages and guides them through the emotional rollercoaster that is writing a novel!
