There’s a Book in All of Us

Inklings Writing Group meet on Tuesdays at 10.30am in Annebrook House Hotel

By Anthony Viney of Inklings Writing Group

It starts with an urge… a compulsion to tell a story worth telling. Maybe it’s a memoir. Yes, we all have interesting lives. Or a desire to write the next best-selling psychological thriller. A stunning romance perhaps? Either way, it’s a ‘legacy thing’. Leaving family, friends and future generations something to remember us by.

Next comes the spur to action. An event or thought that forces you to put pen to paper. In my case, a journey to Syria in 2011 as the country slipped into civil war. Confronted by armed militias and tanks on the streets, I knew that here was a story worth telling. Then, pure chance can intervene.

For me, a surprise meeting with the war correspondent, the late Robert Fisk, in Beirut, and the idea for ‘On the Road to Damascus’ was born. Next, the process. How to fill in that first blank sheet, complete an initial draft… yes there will be many of those, and, finally, to produce the book itself. Choices have to be made. Do you pay for an editor or proof-reader? Or do you go it alone? Just remember, the art of writing is rewriting, so your book cannot be rushed.

Writing can prove a lonely journey. But you will find ideal travelling companions. They could be a local writers group, like Inklings, who will provide feedback… in a nice way of course. Or Mullingar Toastmasters, a fantastic source of encouragement. Family and friends can help too. But remember, this is your book so don’t write by committee.

If you decide to self-publish, you will face both an opportunity and a challenge. You won’t need to worry about finding a literary agent or publisher – however, your final manuscript will need to be word perfect and will also have to be formatted and uploaded. If you can handle that, go for it. For me, I followed the old adage, ‘if I can’t do it myself, I know a man, or woman, who can’. There may be a cost involved but it will get your book over the line.

Finally, you have your masterpiece in your hand. It’s on Amazon and Kindle. So time to crack open the champagne and have a glass or three to celebrate. But wait! There are millions of other books on Amazon, all competing with yours. That means that much of the marketing will be down to you. Time to get proactive. Use your networks and social media to publicise your book.

Make a TikTok video about it… the quirkier the better. Local press coverage will help, as will an official launch. Try to find friendly local outlets to sell it. So, you have your book. You have told your story. The rest of us will continue to ask ourselves… is there a book in all of us? Well, as the man in the famous lager advert assures us: ‘Probably’. Perhaps, but the success of that enterprise, my boy, is in the lap of the Gods.

• Anthony Viney has just launched his novel, ‘On the Road to Damascus’.

• Inklings Writing Group meet on Tuesdays at 10.30am in the Annebrook House Hotel.