Why You Think You Want to Write a Book (and What That Really Means)
When someone tells me, “I’ve always wanted to write a book,” my first question is always “Why?”
Not to be nosy (perish the thought!), but because your why shapes everything that follows.
Most people think their reason is obvious. They’ll say something like:
“I’ve got a story that needs to be told.”
“It’ll help me grow my business.”
“It’s always been on my bucket list.”
All perfectly good reasons, but, underneath, there’s often something deeper.
Sometimes it’s about being seen. Sometimes it’s about proving something.
And sometimes, it’s simply about leaving a mark that says I was here.
None of those reasons are wrong – but they all point you towards a different kind of book.
1. If you’re writing for visibility
You probably run a business, lead a community, or have something to teach.
Your book’s job is to shine a light on you and what you do.
That means structure, clarity, and practical value are more important than flowery language.
Think of it as your flagship piece of content – something that keeps speaking on your behalf even when you’re off living your life.
2. If you’re writing for validation
Be honest – you might want to prove that you can. [This is definitely me!]
Maybe someone doubted you. Maybe you doubted yourself.
Writing a book can be a statement of confidence: Look what I built with my own words.
That’s fine. Just bear in mind that once it’s published, readers stop seeing it as your therapy and start seeing it as their experience.
The trick is to channel the emotion that drove you to write without letting it run the show.
3. If you’re writing for legacy
You want to leave something behind – stories, lessons, ideas. [Again, me...]
Legacy writing needs patience. It’s not about speed or algorithms – it’s about truth and timelessness.
You’re creating something your grandchildren, clients, or mentees could pick up decades from now and still feel connected to.
4. If you’re writing for healing
Sometimes a book begins as a private process of understanding.
That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be published – but healing first, publishing second.
Write it raw. Edit it once it’s healed. You’ll end up with something far more powerful.
The honest question
So – why do you want to write a book?
If you can answer that truthfully, everything else becomes simpler:
your tone, your title, your structure, even your publishing path.
A great place to start. Because once you know the real reason behind your book, you can make decisions that line up with it instead of fighting it.
There’s no wrong motive – only unacknowledged ones.
One last thought
Your reason will evolve. The “why” that gets you started might not be the same “why” that keeps you going. That’s normal.
The important thing is to stay aware of it – to keep writing from choice, not pressure.
So before you open a new Word document or book a chat with me, take ten quiet minutes and ask yourself:
What do I really want this book to do for me?
If you already have a finished book sitting there, ask:
Is it actually doing what I hoped it would?
And if you're stuck in Does my book idea have legs? limbo-land, my guide will help: Click here.
At Jo Wildsmith Publishing, we work with authors who've already written their manuscript, those with work-in-progress, and those who have yet to pick up their quill and dip it in the ink.
