Why Write a Book?
It seems more and more people have a book inside them just waiting to be released.
As a developmental editor, I read many manuscripts—and over the years I’ve come to realize something I believe with my whole heart:
Messages of hope and encouragement are often released through sharing our stories, experiences, and knowledge.
Sometimes writing serves as a catharsis, helping us heal and process pain.
Sometimes it becomes a mirror—a way to discover more about ourselves simply by putting words on paper. Many authors are surprised by what rises to the surface when they finally begin writing honestly.
And sometimes writing is about teaching, serving, or leaving a legacy.
All are valid reasons for tapping those keys or picking up pen and paper.
But there’s one question I want to ask you today—a question that can change everything:
Why do you write?
And right alongside it, there’s another question that’s just as important:
Why write a book?
The Question That Changes Your Whole Writing Journey
One of the most important things you can determine early on is what kind of writer you are.
In one of our Writers Alliance calls, Roxanne and I posed a simple framework that I believe every writer needs to consider:
Are you writing as a hobby…a legacy…or a bestseller?
That might sound like a publishing question—but it’s actually a clarity question.
Because when you know why you’re writing, you’ll know:
- How to shape your message
- How to structure your book
- What success looks like for you
- And how to keep going when the writing gets hard
1) Writing as a Hobby (And Why It Matters)
For many years, I wrote more as a hobby.
Not because I wasn’t serious… but because I wasn’t sure what I was building yet.
I started writing decades ago. I simply had ideas that kept popping into my mind and wouldn’t leave me alone.
I still remember one moment so clearly.
I was packing up a house to move, and I picked up a teddy bear tucked in the back of a closet—one that had belonged to my daughter Ashley.
Suddenly, I was flooded with memories.
And I stopped right in the middle of packing and went to write.
That’s what hobby-writing often looks like.
• It isn’t always strategic.
• It isn’t always polished.
• And it isn’t always meant for anyone else.
But it matters.
Writing as a hobby can be incredibly healthy.
It can:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Help you process emotions
- Strengthen communication skills
- And support personal growth
I personally love writing poetry.
And I don’t expect to ever write a bestselling poetry book—that’s not my goal.
For me, poetry is cathartic. It helps me release emotions and stress in a way that feels natural.
You decide what works for you.
2) Writing as a Legacy (And the Key Ingredient Most People Miss)
Legacy writing is one of the most meaningful forms of writing there is.
It’s the kind of writing that says:
“I want to leave something behind.”
It may be a story about your life.
Your family history.
Your values.
Your lessons learned.
Or the hard seasons you survived.
I love legacy pieces.
But there is something important to keep in mind.
If you are writing a legacy book for your own family, you can simply tell the stories.
But if you want your book to reach beyond your family—if you want it to help others—then it needs something more.
It needs to be prescriptive, not just descriptive.
In other words, it should answer questions like:
- What did you learn?
- What helped you get through it?
- What gave you hope?
- What would you want someone else to know?
Because if a reader walks away only hearing the pain…but not seeing the redemption…then the book becomes more like a journal entry than a message of hope.
And hope is what readers are looking for.
3) Writing as a Bestseller (And the Truth About Royalty Checks)
Let’s talk honestly for a moment about the bestseller dream.
First, yes—it’s possible.
But I want to gently address a myth that many new authors believe:
“If I write a book, I’ll sit back and the royalty checks will roll in.”
That is almost never how it works.
Even when my husband, Dan, wrote 48 Days to the Work and Life You Love—a national bestseller translated into many languages—we did not live off royalty checks.
Most authors don’t.
So if you’ve ever wondered why write a book if it doesn’t make you rich, here’s the answer:
Because a book is often not your paycheck—it’s your platform.
A book can become:
- a calling card
- a credibility builder
- a speaking tool
- a way to open doors
- a foundation for coaching, courses, consulting, or community
In other words:
You often don’t make money from the book as much as you make money because of the book.
What Kind of Result Do You Want?
Dan talked a lot about goals.
I’ll be honest—we were very different in that area.
I’m not someone who easily thinks five years ahead. Sometimes it’s hard for me to think one month ahead.
But I’ve learned to ask a question that works for me:
What kind of result do I want?
That question is powerful.
Because when you know the result you want, you stop writing in circles—and you start writing with purpose.
If You Can’t Not Write …You’re Not Alone
I fall into the category of people with an internal compulsion to write.
I simply cannot not write.
For me, it is a creative outlet that is as essential to my being as breathing.
And I know many of you reading this feel the same way.
If writing keeps tugging at you—if you feel a book inside you—then I want you to hear this clearly:
That matters.
And it may be time to stop shelving your message.
You Don’t Have to Write a Bestseller to Feel Fulfilled
If you have a book inside you that you have shelved for too long…
Perhaps it is time to release it to the world.
You don’t have to write a bestseller to feel accomplished.
You don’t have to write the “perfect book” to feel proud.
You simply need to write the book that has been placed inside you.
Because when your book gives someone hope, teaches them something valuable, or reminds them they’re not alone…
Then it has already done something worthwhile.
Ready for Support and Clear Next Steps?
Writing isn’t meant to be done alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.
That’s why I want to personally invite you to join me for a special live training:
Writing With Purpose Masterclass—February 25th
In this masterclass, hosted by The Eagle Writers Alliance and 48 Days Press, I’ll answer your most asked questions about writing, publishing, and getting your message out into the world so you can answer that one big question for yourself (Why Write a Book) and gain clarity on what to do next.
If you’ve been stuck, overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or wondering why write a book when the process feels so big, I promise you, this will help.
Plus, when you register, you’ll receive a free bonus guide to help you take your next step with confidence—A Guide To Writing a Winning Book Proposal.
