I've recently had my book published, which was a big deal, (to me at least). Then people started finding out about it and things got interesting. The story has local landmarks in it, although it is a work of fiction. That means some locals are very interested in it. More specifically, they are interested in what the book says, but most aren't interested enough to actually buy a copy. Welcome to the real world, Buddy.

That's only one of the mysteries a newly published author will encounter. Another is that people that know you're a published author look at you differently, which can be a very pleasant experience. I'm good at describing things, but I can't describe this different look I get except to say it involves more eye contact or something, kind of like they're happy to see me or I've caught them in a good mood. And of course I react with a happy look too, and then start answering their questions.

The question that gets asked first is, "How long did it take you?" That's hard to answer because I didn't log my hours while writing, or the hours spent thinking about the story line. From the time I started until it was published was around 7 months, but I was doing many other things. I began in November because the presidential election interested me and I had to find a new activity once the campaigns were over. The Steelers distracted me some more with a very satisfying Super Bowl win. Then I was back at it in earnest.

If you're writing a book, or thinking about it, I think you should. You probably won't get rich, so that shouldn't play a role in motivating yourself. I'd say a big part of your motivation to get your book written is that when your grandchildren or great-grandchildren or whoever want to know what you were like, they can read your book. Its a satisfying feeling, to be able to tell a joke or two to a generation you may never meet. I've sent them a few chuckles and more than a few grins. Its a very neat trick you can play on Time.

You also can lead them, with your words, to face the hardships they will encounter in their lives with courage. You can point out some beautiful things about life that they might miss without you directing their attention to them. You can fill their mind with your thoughts, which is a power-trip. Try and fill it with good thoughts. That way you'll be having them while you're writing them down. You and the reader both benefit. Another neat trick!

The whole experience is very satisfying. Once you get it through your head that you're actually going to finish writing your book, it becomes like a piece of sculpture. You stand back and add a chunk of clay here, scoop some off there, and mash things around until they feel just right. Its fun! A computer helps so much. I wonder if I could have had the persistence to finish my book if I had just a pen and a pile of paper. But with Word I can change a main character's name, move a paragraph or two, weave a thread of sub-plot through the entire book so that the entire work's synergy increases. There are things in my book that many readers will never grasp. That's okay. Half the fun was in surprising myself. Writing is an activity where things come pouring out of you that you were not expecting. Some of it is beyond ordinary. Some of it is shockingly good. You won't know exactly what comes out until you sit down and start clickin' your keyboard.

If you're a writer, you should just go for it. Start making your keyboard click today. Don't let the hope of perfection keep you from lining up the letters, forming them into paragraphs, filling page after page like a good soaking rain. Start with a few words. Fix it later. Do it now.

What to write about? I have no idea. I moved from the city to the country and befriended the mountain people. That's a good story, but I wanted to have a ready-made audience for my book. So I chose a subject that had lots of enthusiastic fans already, (Bigfoot). That raises eyebrows in the general population, but every book has its target market. My book is the story about a guy who moves from the city to the country and inadvertently traps a large primate within the electric fencing he sets up to keep humans from stealing a valuable crop he's planted on the forest floor. A simple plot: guy captures Bigfoot, media swarms the area, country folk don't take it well, hilarity ensues. I'm sure you can take some events in your life and gather them into a story line. Get moving!

(I've been writing this book, so I haven't done much Hubbing.) If you want to read some free excerpts or get a copy of my book, go to www.friendsofbigfootsocialclub.com

But this hub is about you and your writing and my encouragement. So pick a story and start telling it!

(NOW!)

When you're finished writing your book, you'll need a publisher. Don't go with a traditional publisher because if you're a first time author you have to get past their gatekeepers. You probably won't be able to do that, and they've been eclipsed by technology anyway. The printing press has been obsoleted by print-on-demand. Someone clicks on your book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Booklocker, and a computer prints a copy of your book to send to them. Your book will look exactly like any book published by a printing press, same high quality, only you've bypassed the gatekeeper.

For fun, send out a bunch of query letters to tradional publishing agents and they'll get back to you to tell you how your concept stinks, (some politely). Then you can reread their responses when your book starts to sell via www.booklocker.com

Booklocker is great, and your royalties will be several times what a traditional publisher pays. They have extensive info on writing and publishing at their website, and their people are down to earth and patient with new writers. I highly recommend them.  Now, get to work on your book!