Our brains are funny things.

I wanted to write a book.

First, I had the spark of an idea, and then another, and then another…

Then I started living it in my head, getting excited by the new world that was coming to me from… somewhere.

The excitement grew and the energy of it all really started to carry me along – and then suddenly my brain got involved.

It began to focus and even admire the ‘process’ I had going on. 

It got all caught up in analyzing the different ways in which I could organize and deal with what was coming to me.

Then I bought some fancy text editing software that was labeled especially for “writers”. 

Ooh, yes, I need that! 

Then I wanted to start drawing and designing the characters.

Yes! It’s definitely time to do that when you want to write a book – and don’t yet even fully know who these characters are…!

…And, you see, here’s the thing.

“Wanting to write a book”, when it really comes down to it, means next to nothing. 

It’s a small and necessary spark, but little more than that.

Unless you actually start, unless you get your head out of the way and let the whole thing flow in the disorganized, sometimes messy, often not-even-clear-to-you-why way that it wants to; unless you stand aside and let it lead it you, let it be more than you and your well-meaning but oh-so-controlling brain, you will only ever be *wanting* to write a book.

But now, I have my first two scenes written. 

Now, I have regular time set aside to allow that flow, however it wishes to come to me, and I will do my darndest not to allow my brain to interfere with that!

And, far different from “wanting to write a book,” only now can I say,

“I am writing a book.”