Can I? Should I? Write a Book!

Within the last couple of years several people have approached me and asked if I would consider writing a book based on the family history stories I have written. I explained to them that of course I would consider it, but I wouldn’t commit to sitting at my computer for three months and using up my limited ‘little gray brain cells’ which are so valuable to a senior citizen!


Sometime ago, however, the thought percolated in my unique mind that maybe it might be interesting and perhaps even challenging to write a book. I pondered about a few people who have written a book or two such as Mark Twain, Edgar Allen Poe, J.K. Rawling, Stephen King, Agatha Christie, Jane Austen, and Rebecca Cazier (in case you may be wondering who the last one is, it’s my eight-year-old great-granddaughter). I came to the realization that ALL of these authors had to write their first book, and if they could do it, why couldn’t I?


So, I sat at my computer and started pushing its keys because I have been told that all a writer needs to do is put a glass of water close by, get some snacks to keep your brain awake and active, turn on some music, and start writing. Supposedly that will generate some creative juices which will stimulate ideas, and then, like magic, the book will freely flow from your mind to the paper. I decided to try it, and sure enough, I had my first sentence in no time. This was my first sentence, “Hallisliog olwule soqouc ealoted aldnt ingheilhhiert sldk?” I looked at what I wrote and concluded that this was not the way to start writing my book. 


After this failed attempt, I sat back in my office chair and fell asleep. When I woke up, I had the problem solved about how to write a book. I realized that I needed to write a book that answered one simple question, “What do I have to offer that people would want to learn from me?” As I thought about this question, I struggled with a nagging thought that has bothered me for years, “All the good stuff has already been written so I would have to play second fiddle to someone who had already captured the market.” 


My good wife is always encouraging me to stretch, so I began stretching my mind and during this painstakingly difficult mental workout that she recommended, I came up with several topics on which I thought I could write a scholarly and fascinating book. Then, after all of this exercise and effort, I experienced a serious conundrum when an important and haunting question came into my mind. “Would people read it?” 


After serious contemplation of approximately 25 minutes and two glasses of water, I had a strong impression that motivated me to get started and try. The impression that came to my mind was simple, clear, and direct. “Of course they would read it!” So, I set about choosing my topic.


I made a list of many of my insights and qualifications on which I believed I could write fascinating book. I was sure that writing about any of them would generate enough interest to entice people to buy the book, read it, recommend it to others, and launch me into a new career of authorship.


Below are four of my best ideas for the book I’m about to write. If any of them tweak your buttons let me know, and I will consider that topic for my first book. 

1. How to raise a rabbit from a baby rabbit

2. How to beat a big dog in a hot dog eating contest

3. The challenges of a brother who is raised in an all-sister home

4. What pigeons would say if they spoke English

Don’t you think a valuable PhD dissertation could be written about any of the suggested topics? I wish I had had one of these topics in mind when I was writing mine. I mean, if I had written on topic number #3 about living with sisters I would have probably won the Pulitzer Prize for non-fiction. It’s too bad I didn’t have this discussion with myself 15 years ago. I’m quite sure that I could have spread a great deal of enlightenment on this topic.


With ideas freely flowing in my head, I would like to share the first paragraph of my upcoming book. It will be called, “The Challenges of a Brother Who Is Raised in an All-Sister Home!” I’m the only one in my immediate family who knows what it is like to live life without a brother, so this qualifies me as an expert.


It's never too late to start writing a book, so I’m learning from my past mistakes, and I’m nearly done with my book that I have called, “You Can’t Teach a Pig to Sing: Family History Through Stories”. Coming soon (I hope)!


Happy Failing Forward,


Calvert Cazier PhD, MPH


PS Want to help your kids have less stress and more success at home and school? CLICK HERE to get a copy of our book, The Resiliency Toolkit: A Busy Parent’s Guide to Raising Happy, Confident, Successful Children.