I started a new “Why Wait?” series about writing on Wednesday, April 13 about my goal of becoming an author. I aim to post every Wednesday, so today I’m talking about WHY I’m writing a book!
Publishing a book is on the edge of uncomfortable.
I’ve learned that the hardest things are often worth doing. Nerves can be used for both anxiety and excitement, so I am pumped for this learning journey. Stuff that makes me wary? What I don’t know yet. I don’t know much about book pitching, but I’ve practiced presenting angles, whether it was for my last job, helping with pr at my college, or writing persuasive speeches.
I’ve been writing books just for me for a long time.
If 10-year-old Kaylie dreamt of book writing, I owe it to her (and all the Miss Independents of the world). Later, 13-year-old Kaylie turned thoughts into scribbles, transforming an entire spiral-bound notebook into a work of art. I know 29-year-old Kaylie can do it now. I believe in her.
This book represents something I needed 5 AND 10 years ago.
5 years ago, I was at my first job after college. I made A LOT of decisions that year. One was to stop casually dating and find a person who understood me. I started a regular routine of lifting, Zumbaing, and HIIT, eventually even getting a trainer for a few months. I was doing all the right things but was stuck. So, I started shifting my schedule to values, landing a volunteer communications role at a food pantry in 2018, then publishing my website about those roles and goals in 2019.
That’s by comparison to 10 years ago. My intended psych major flopped. I lost my grandpa, best friend, and even myself. I joined ALL the activities, even picking ones that didn’t make sense, like Ultimate Frisbee, Young Americans for Liberty, a sorority.
Through careful sorting through my schedule, I chose which goals and groups made sense, like the yearbook, newspaper, and yes, even sticking with the sorority. Excessive note-taking, such as if/then lists and spreadsheets, led to a self-designed major and keeping psych, this time as a minor.
A book speaks differently than a blog.
Do you feel like you’re at a crossroads? If you want help deciding between opportunities, the book just might help. Since there’s only one of you in the universe, with your unique resources, relationships, and roles, you owe it to yourself to do what feels good (and does good).
Do you feel like your habits need help? I firmly believe each action in life has both costs and benefits. I want to help you choose YOUR values over others’ so you can get what you want, all by making habits that stick.
Do you struggle with confidence? The book is about how to stick up for yourself. Going your own way took takes courage. It takes hard work, and that’s why it’ll include a space for notetaking, such as how to create charts and lists to express opportunities and costs.
This book is part biography, part editable journal, part multimedia experience.
I am a human who has made mistakes, and this will book will explore them. But I can still show up for myself and the world by honestly sharing my story. I am still implementing values, such as collaboration and creativity over competition, and finding sustainable service, such as econ and partnerships, over 1-and-done projects.
With all these steps I’ve taken, including opting in and out of certain habits, I want to inspire others to figure out what they want and don’t want out of life.
I want to share what I’ve learned about opting in and out via book:
- I have decided to opt out of parenting
- I have returned to the nonprofit world (and think I’m here to stay)
- I self-designed an interdisciplinary film and media bachelor’s degree
- I am learning spirituality is a very individual yet collective practice
- I am returning to a more plant-based diet
- I have written about habits (including breaking them!) since 2019
- I am learning to be an anti-racist individual, recognizing biases, joining justice conversations, and supporting those different from me
- I am running for fun over races
- I am making and taking steps to recognize my own anxiety
- I am an introvert
- I am making boundaries, such as moving to CO
- I’m a work in progress minimalist
The book will use media to further engage conversations.
Storytelling produces empathy, too. So why not use social media as a tool for kindness, gratitude, and connection?
I hope to interview folks who also have made changes to their lives, and those segments can turn into podcast or YouTube episodes, quotes within the book, or even trends. If you have ever broken or maintained a habit, you can share interest in participating in the book here.
Since the book will be divided into themed chapters, I also hope to inspire digital conversations, too. That way, readers can impact their own spheres of influence by showing what you’re working on.
It’s encouraging to see other people identify as works in progress, and I know I’m still figuring it out, too. But I am excited to share an honest life well lived, instead of one that’s carefully curated. How are you living your best life?