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When one decides to sit down and write a book it is a daunting task. Most people at some point in time in their life want to write a book. Either it be from their life’s experiences or business purposes. I believe as humans we all have the desire to create. The only difference between the authors who have a book published and the ones who don’t is just taking the time to do it. There never is a right time to compose a novel. You will never have those extra minutes just looming over you. You have to create during chaos. You make the time and effort to make it happen. I have written, publish, designed and marketed three books in two years. I didn’t have time to do that while I was managing six properties and running a coaching business, but I did. I will share with you my process and how I utilized every minute to make it count and how I did it all without breaking the bank!

Some persons may think that a ghost writer is a better option for them because it will make it easier. That they will tell their story and have someone else write it. I do not agree with having someone else write your words for you. These are your stories, this is your pain or your happiness. No one can fully understand what you have lived through in life so they cannot express it on paper. Only you have experienced it. I had a ghost writer offer to write my first book, “10 Rules to Survive the Dating Jungle.” However, she wanted to make it fiction and I didn’t want to go in that direction. My book was composed of rules I made for myself after enduring divorce, losing my stepson, an entire lifetime of toxic unhealthy relationships.  She had no idea the pain and agony I went through with a controlling and verbally abusive husband. What it was like to put an end to abuse and to start loving myself. Only I knew what it felt like. So in order for me to tell my story and have it resonate and connect with the reader, my words had to come from me.

After someone reads my books I get lengthy emails telling me how much they enjoyed hearing my stories. How great it is to know someone else had gone through the same turmoil and came out positive and healthy on the other end. I have had fans I’ve never met waive me down at conventions and share with me their own stories. Why? Because when reading my words they felt a connection. It’s as if instead of reading a book, they were sitting down with their girlfriend exchanging stories over a cup of coffee. That is what is going to get you loyal followers. Once you make that deep personal connection with someone, they will never forget you who are. You will hold a special place their hearts because they understand what you have been through, how you succeeded or what mark you’ve made on earth.

Ghost writers are also very expensive and your story will not be as compelling, . I’ve read books that were written by ghost writers and some are just awful. I knew a lady who went through a very tragic experience as a child and she had a great story to tell. I was intrigued when talking to her and I really wanted to read her book. I was so excited when I acquired a copy I couldn’t wait to get home to read it. However, I was truly disappointed. I muddled through about a chapter and then I would have to put it down, it was so bad. You could tell the ghost writer was a decent writer, but the pain could not make a connection with me. In a story of tremendous catastrophe it should have been flooded with deep emotions. It should have made me cry.  I wanted the book to take me down that emotional rollercoaster, but the ghost writer couldn’t pull it off. I tried reading it five times, and well I still haven’t finished it. It’s a shame too. It would have been a great book if it would have come from her own heart and soul.

by Tara Richter

*This is an excerpt from her manual, “How to Write & Publish a Book Yourself” for purchase here.