In 2004 I published a memoir of my 22 months spent in Vietnam, from 1969-1971. It’s a humorous look at the lighter side of that misguided conflict, titled The Saigon Zoo, Vietnam’s Other War: Sex, Drugs, Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Since that time I have met dozens of people who have published their first book and hundreds who either believe they have an exceptional idea and want to write a book or have begun the grilling process of putting their ideas to paper.
For those who have ever dreamed of writing and publishing the next great American novel, I will give you the salient reasons you must begin today or continue your writing until your work is published! Life’s greatest journeys begins with the first step.
Let’s first dispense with the negatives of beginning this adventure. The overwhelming odds are that you will never realize a profit from the sale of your work or recoup the money you’ve invested in the process along the way.
Don’t fret, you can actually get your manuscript published for a relatively small amount of your hard-earned cash. For about $500 you can produce a ready-for-sale copy of the published work.
Of course you will have to purchase from the publisher, for a reduced cover price, any further copies. Be prepared for family and friends who will naturally expect a copy for free. I’m an incurable sucker and have given away more copies than I’ve sold. Another unavoidable frustration has to do with the amount of time it requires to complete the project if you take your mission seriously.
You will almost certainly have to cut back on other trivial pursuits such as television, surfing the web, sleep, playing with the dog and time spent with friends. From start to finish the process can prove a wearisome one and make for some long restless days and nights.
You will have to commit to this worthwhile endeavor body and soul, or the project will be doomed from the start. Okay, enough with the gloomy side involved in cranking out your potential Pulitzer Prize winning narrative.
Let’s discuss the personal rewards you will reap from the writing and publishing of your work.
By far the most thrilling experience for me came when I ripped open the package containing the first completed published copy of my book. After all the years of writing and rewriting page after page I lifted from the mangled box a copy of The Saigon Zoo. My apologies in advance to all the magnificent mother’s out there, however I felt as if I had just given birth.
All of my blood, sweat, tears and beers had culminated into my dream come true. Trust me when I report to you that it will prove to be one of those unforgettable treasured memories in your life.
The straightforward truth is, honestly, anybody can complete and publish a book if they get serious, put their mind to it and begin writing. Don’t become consumed with the myriad doubts entering your mind about your ability to write.
It doesn’t have to be a best-seller, or even read by many people. If it’s a nagging spark deep down inside of you that requires oxygen to burn, let it breath! As Niki boldly proclaims, “Just do it!”
Along the way you will most likely require some assistance with editing and finally publishing, but there are more than enough reference books available to guide you through every phase of the writing process.
Also, adult education classes are a fantastic way to assist you as you progress. During my writing I attended five or six classes offered in the area.
As we all know, the Internet is a cornucopia of information, advice and personal accounts on any subject under the sun. And if you happen to know anyone who has written and published a book, pick their brain clean. You will learn and educate yourself as you write. I decided to share with only a few people the fact that I was writing my memoir. I became concerned that I might get frustrated and never finish the book and then be subjected to years of badgering from friends on my failed attempt to become an author. Consequently, when The Saigon Zoo was finally published many close friends were amazed and a little upset that not only had I written a book, but I had kept it a secret from them.
Another interesting and surprising aspect that caught me off guard was the reaction by many people to my accomplishment. I truly didn’t think it was that big of a deal, however others reacted as if I had found a cure for cancer.
They were truly impressed. Many close friends and acquaintances began secretly sharing their hidden desire for writing a book, but just couldn’t seem to get the ball rolling.
My final push to motivate you to begin writing that unique, repressed story bouncing around in your head is a simple one: It’s an unbelievably rewarding and worthwhile achievement that you will cherish for the remainder of your life, and a sterling accomplishment that will bring you pride and pleasure daily. Frankly, it feels fantastic to have written and published a book.
