Show Notes

I need to tell you something today that might make you a little uncomfortable.

Statistically speaking, most of you listening right now will never write the book you've been thinking about.

And before you click away thinking, 'Well, that's depressing, Vanessa,' hear me out.

Research consistently shows that the vast majority of people who say they want to write a book never actually do it. They have a story to tell, expertise to share, a message that could help others. But very few of those people will ever actually publish that book.

That means most people with valuable messages, life-changing insights, and transformational stories will take all of that to the grave with them.

Now, you might be thinking, 'Well, they probably don't have time,' or 'They don't know how to write,' or 'Publishing is too complicated.'

But here's what I've discovered after coaching over 100 authors through the writing and publishing process: It's not what you might think.

The real reason most people never write their book has nothing to do with time, ability, or knowledge. It's something much deeper, and once you understand what it is, you can position yourself to be among those who actually follow through.

So that's what we're diving into today. The real barriers keeping people stuck, what separates the dreamers from the doers, and how you—as a seasoned entrepreneur—can finally get your expertise out of your head and into the hands of the people who need it most.

Let's dive in.

SEGMENT 1: THE MYTH VS. REALITY

Alright, let's start by busting some myths. When I ask people why they haven't written their book yet, I hear the same responses over and over:

I don't have time.

I don't know where to start.

I'm not a good writer.

Someone probably already wrote about this.

I need to do more research first.

And listen, these feel very real to the person saying them. But after working with hundreds of aspiring authors, I can tell you these are not the real reasons.

Let me prove it to you.

The Time Myth: I've had clients write entire books working just 30 minutes a day. In fact, one of my most successful authors, Tywauna Wilson, wrote her book “Becoming A Leadership Maven” while she had a newborn baby. A newborn! If you can find 30 minutes to scroll social media, you can find 30 minutes to write.

The “Don't Know Where to Start” Myth: There are thousands of resources on how to write a book. YouTube, blogs, courses, books about writing books. Information isn't the problem.

The “Not a Good Writer” Myth: Some of the most successful authors I know aren't literary geniuses. They're clear communicators who understand their audience. You don't need to be Hemingway to change lives. Also, that is why we have editors. You can’t compare your rough draft to other people’s finished product. Trust me, everyone’s rough draft is just that – ROUGH.

The “Someone Already Said It” Myth: There are hundreds of books about leadership, weight loss, relationships, entrepreneurship. But people keep buying them because they connect with different voices, different perspectives, different stories.

So if it's not these things, what is it?

Here's what I've observed: The real barriers are psychological and emotional.

It's the voice in your head saying, 'Who are you to write a book?' It's the fear that you'll put your heart on paper and nobody will care. It's perfectionism telling you it's not good enough yet. It's imposter syndrome whispering that you're not qualified.

SEGMENT 2: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THOSE WHO GET IT DONE

So what do the successful authors do differently? I've studied this extensively, both in my own journey and watching my clients, and there are some clear patterns.

First, they make an identity shift early.

Most people think, “Someday I'll write a book.” The successful ones think, “I am an author in the making.” They start calling themselves authors before the book is finished. They start thinking like authors, acting like authors, showing up like authors.

This isn't about fake-it-till-you-make-it. This is about aligning your identity with your goal. When you see yourself as an author, you make different decisions. You prioritize writing time. You have conversations differently. You start positioning yourself as an expert in your field.

Second, they get clear on their 'why' beyond themselves.

Most people usually start with, “I want to write a book because it would be cool,” or “People always tell me I should write a book.” That's not enough motivation to sustain you through the challenging parts.

The successful ones have a mission-driven why. “I need to write this book because there are people struggling with exactly what I overcame, and they need this roadmap.” “My expertise could save someone years of mistakes.” “This story could give someone hope in their darkest moment.”

When your why is bigger than your fear, you find a way.

Third, they understand that clarity beats perfection.

Most people get stuck trying to figure out everything before they start. They want the perfect title, the perfect outline, the perfect platform before they write word one.

Successful authors understand that clarity comes through action, not before action. They're willing to start with an imperfect idea and refine it as they go. They know that a finished book that helps people is infinitely more valuable than a perfect book that never gets written.

Fourth, they seek accountability and community.

Here's something interesting I've noticed: The people who try to write their book in isolation are less likely to complete it than those who join communities, work with coaches, or find accountability partners.

Why? Because when you're alone with your thoughts, fear gets louder. When you're surrounded by people who believe in your message and are holding you accountable, you're more likely to push through the resistance.

And finally, they think like entrepreneurs, not hobbyists.

This is especially important for my seasoned entrepreneur listeners. You already know how to build something valuable and profitable. You already know how to serve a market and solve problems.

But somehow, when it comes to their book, successful entrepreneurs often switch into hobbyist mode. They think, “Oh, this is just a passion project,” or “If it helps a few people, that's enough.”

No! Your book should be approached with the same strategic thinking you apply to your business. Who is your target market? What problem are you solving? How will you position and promote this? How does this fit into your larger business strategy?

Successful authors treat their book like the business asset it can be.

Be A Bestseller 2-Day Workshop

Now, if you're listening to this thinking, 'Vanessa, you just described me perfectly. I've been stuck in my head about this book for months, maybe even years. I know I have something valuable to share, but I keep finding reasons to put it off'—I have something special for you.

I'm hosting a 2-day intensive workshop called “Be A Bestseller: The Author Jumpstart Workshop” on July 28th and 29, 2025, at 7 PM Eastern.

This isn't going to be another session where we talk about writing techniques or publishing logistics. We're going straight to the heart of what stops people: the mindset barriers.

Over these two days, we're going to:

• Do the deep work to shift your identity from “someone who wants to write a book” to “author in the making”

• Get crystal clear on your message and who needs to hear it

• Learn how to position yourself as an expert even before your book is published

• Create a concrete roadmap for your next steps

This is the exact framework I've used with over 100 authors to help them get unstuck and moving forward.

And here's what I love about this workshop: You don't need to have it all figured out to join. You just need to be ready to stop thinking and start becoming.

The investment is just $47, and you get lifetime access to all the recordings. So even if you can't attend live, you'll have everything you need.

If you're ready to be in that group who actually does it, go to https://beabestseller.com to secure your spot.

Don't let another month go by where you're still thinking about it instead of doing something about it."

Let me leave you with this thought:

Your expertise matters. Your story matters. Your perspective matters.

But it can't help anyone if it stays trapped in your head.

There are people out there right now struggling with the exact problem you've already solved. They're making the same mistakes you made before you knew better. They're feeling hopeless about something you could give them hope about.

But they can't find you if you don't show up.

Your book isn't just about you. It's about them. It's about the person who's going to pick up your book at exactly the moment they need to hear your message.

You have two choices: You can stay with the majority of people who keep thinking about it, or you can join the group who does something about it.

The world needs what you have to offer. But you have to be brave enough to share it.

If this episode resonated with you, I'd love for you to share it with someone who's been talking about writing a book. Sometimes we all need that gentle push to stop thinking and start becoming.

And if you're ready to take that step, I'll see you in the workshop.

Until next time, keep building, keep growing, and remember—you're more ready than you think.