Last week I attended a 4-Day Book Writing Challenge presented by Hay House, hosted by Reid Tracy and Kelly Notaras. This was my third time attending this challenge. I feel like I learn something new every time I attend. The challenge gives you daily assignments and prompts to get you on the path to writing a book or push you to complete a book that you may be working on. I am not really ready to write the kind of book I want to write, but it doesn’t hurt to have some pointers before I start. I actually do have a book that is about 75% to 80% completed. The book is for my nephew and it should have been done. Unfortunately, I have stalled out 🤦🏾♀️. I would like to finish this book before I start on another one.
The challenge provided guidance on how to write a hook, genre categories for the books that people normally write and other pertinent information. Honestly I need to go back and figure out what genre this book falls under. Or maybe not. I know that the hosts said if it is non-fiction to include examples and stories to get your point across. Now, here I was thinking that I will make a copy specifically for my nephew and then go back and edit out all the stories I included. Yet, based on the information I received from the challenge, not only do I need to leave the stories in, I may need to add more stories. Now the book is probably only about 60% completed. There is a strong chance that most of the participants and I are just overthinking this whole book writing thing. Actually, I know we are.
An 8 year old boy by the name of Dillon Helbig, wrote and illustrated an 81 page book over the course of a few days. He then proceeded to take said book to his local library and put it on the shelf in the children’s book section. The book was in a hard covered journal and he labeled it with the title, “The Adventures of Dillion Helbig’s Crismis.” Dillon told his parents about his accomplishment. The parents worried the librarians would find it and dispose of his book, contacted the library. Well, the librarians decided not only will they not throw away his book, but they would put a sticker on it and allow people to check it out. Dillon’s one-of-a-kind story now has a wait list of 56 people. And if I lived in Idaho, I would be the 57th person. I am so intrigued as to what he wrote in his book.
Dillon, after the success of his first novel, is now busy at work on his second novel, “The Jacket Eating Closet.” Ummm…is this not a lesson or what? Here I am in the fifth year of writing my blog with less than 100 people reading it regularly because I don’t want to put myself out there. I have actually just started to tell more people about my blog within the last year and a half. This young man has written a book and has 56 people at the time of the news report, I am sure there is more now, waiting on a hold list to read his book. It really isn’t that hard now is it?
Many of us have lost our childlike enthusiasm, creativity and confidence. We have experienced some shit that has shut us down. We do not see the world through the eyes of an 8 year old and that is totally understandable. Life gets complicated as we get older. Our childhood dreams are forgotten. Or believed to be unachievable, are dismissed. But, what if we picked one thing we wanted to accomplish and approached it like a child? What if we didn’t allow any self-doubt to cloud our minds? What if we just did the thing? What if we kept it a secret like Dillion until it was completed? What if? Oh, the places we will go.
I am sure if I was to draw any pictures, they will look like an 8 year old did it 😆. But I have to say, Dillion is inspiring me to not care about the minor details. I want to be like Dillion when I grow up. I want to pursue my dreams in life with childlike abandon. I want my book on library shelves, whether I have to sneak it in there or it is there legitimately. The Hay House 4-Day Book Writing Challenge was informational and inspiring. But I have to say, Dillion Helbig has inspired me a great deal more. I set my goal for the completion of my book for the end of February. If Dillion can write and illustrate a book in 4 days, why can’t I finish a 60% completed book by the end of the month? No reason why.
Looking for inspiration, look to a child. They are everything we want to be as adults. Find your motivation in their imagination. See the possibilities through their eyes. The world is their oyster and it is yours as well. This year I am going to be pushing you and calling you out in these posts because I want you to finally do the thing, whatever it is. I want you to stop making excuses, procrastinating and being overwhelmed with self-doubt. I want for you what you want for you. And I am also talking to myself with each and every post. I am not out here crushing it. I am not checking goals off my list every week. I, too am suffering from indecision, lack of clarity and lack of confidence. After reading that article, I have a new mantra for when I know I am not doing my best. Be Like Dillion! And also be well and whole. Much Love
Here is a link to read one of the many articles written about Dillion Helbig.
https://www.upworthy.com/8-year-old-handwritten-book-waiting-list?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1