Write to be Right

Tell a story. Write a book. Done!

There are millions of books written in any topic we could possibly conceive under the sun.

Well, here’s the question: is there any audience for my book? Would someone pick to read my book when there are overwhelming titles to choose from?

First, I was skeptical whether my books have their specific audience out there.

To my dismay, I proved myself wrong. 

I have received emails and a number of positive reviews on the book I wrote about my father, Subic: A Sailor’s Memoir.  Other than those electronic communications, I have acquaintances and strangers alike who came up to me personally in some unexpected places (malls, stores, restrooms, etc.) to simply inform me that they have read my book. 

Of course the feelings inside me were a conglomeration of excitement, elation, and motivation.  Yet on top of those kind compliments, I was humbled by the experience.

I write simply because there is a story to share and not because there is a reader out there.  When we write, the first reader is ourselves, and that matters a whole lot.  If what we have written puts a smile in our heart, then our purpose for writing is complete.

Toni Morrison quotes, "If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

We ought to love what we write about because we envelop it with our personal passion; thus, whoever reads it could feel the breath of our passion in each word that tells the story, as well as the essence why we wrote it in the first place.

A simple rule: If writing is a desire, then don’t hesitate to exercise that right!