Books are Like Babies

People ask me what it’s like to write a book. I guess my answer depends upon what stage of the writing process I’m in. To all the moms out there, please forgive this analogy but writing a book is kind of like having a baby.

Everyone has had the experience of encountering an expectant mother at some point in her pregnancy. From the highs to the lows, they experience a range of emotions. Those emotions are similar to those I’ve felt each time I’ve written a book (albeit on a much more amplified level for the moms).

My most recent book The Elegant Pitch: Create a Compelling Recommendation, Build Broad Support, and Get it Approved has just been released. I hope you’ll grab a copy and learn how to communicate more efficiently and effectively. In the meantime while you wait for Amazon to ship it to you, learn why I’m saying writing a book is like having a baby.

Not convinced? Check it out.

You’re pregnant!

The elation a mom feels when she finds out she’s pregnant is similar to the joy an author feels when a publishing house offers to buy their book and they sign the contract. It’s an exciting time full of wonder and possibilities. And much like moms, when you get the news of a book deal for a second and third time, it’s as exciting but comes with a sense of dread full well knowing the work and pain that is ahead of you.

The first trimester

Things are good. Still exciting to embark upon a new adventure. The occasional woozy and ill moments but hey… you’ve got this. No big deal. I can handle this pregnancy/book writing thing.

The second trimester

The real work begins. It’s painful and uncomfortable. It interrupts your daily routine. It seems to take over your life at times. Then the preparation for arrival begins. Decorating the room, writing press releases, buying a crib, requesting reviews, buying clothes, and planning a publicity campaign. But still exciting… mostly.

The Third Trimester

OHMYGOD GET IT OUT OF ME! No. Seriously. It’s painful. Editing. Re-editing. Dealing with short deadlines. Feeling the pressure build as that inevitable submission date looms ahead. You just want it to be over and often wonder why you did it in the first place. You curse your publisher/significant other for getting you into this situation and you’re the one who has to do all the work.

The Big Day

It’s here! Seriously. It’s on Amazon.com (the book… not a baby). Grab your newborn copy HERE.

Finally after all that work the little bundle of joy arrives. At least books come nicely packaged in a box with bubble wrap and don’t look like a little old man dipped in 40 weight oil (Robin Williams’ joke). It’s here. But you don’t even want to hold it for very long. Everyone else can take care of it and coo and ooh and ahh. You just want some rest. A break from all the hard work. Time to just get away from the ordeal.

Sure you’re proud of what you produced. As it gets older, the pain and effort fades to distant memory but never entirely disappears. You may consider having/writing another but don’t even bring that subject up in the first 90 days after birth. It’s not something that should be spoken of. The pain is too fresh.

So yes, writing a book is like having a baby. All three of mine are wonderful (both my kids and my books) and I love them all in their own special ways. At least you don’t have to pay to put a book through college though…

If you’d like copies of my books signed and delivered in person, join me at Executive Insight 16 on November 10-11 at the Waldorf Astoria New York. We’re serving up 13 sessions focused on practical, pragmatic approaches to building critical leadership traits like the ones I write about in my books. I’d love to have you join us. Visit www.executiveinsight16.com to learn more about the program and register. If you register by September 8^th, you’ll save up to $300 on the registration fee.

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

Did you enjoy this post? If so, I highly encourage you to take about 30 seconds to become a regular subscriber to this blog. It’s free, fun, practical, and only a few emails a week (I promise!). SIGN UP HERE to get the thoughtLEADERS blog conveniently delivered right to your inbox!

Photo: Cry of life by Sander van der Wel