Do you have it in you to write a book? (Part 1)
We all write, every day. Work related, diaries, text messages. Name it. Does that make you (and me) a potential 'best selling' author? The answer is far more simple than you think!
5th may 2024
Do you know the story of that woman that went biking and got lost?
Let me freshen up your memory
It is a beautiful, sunny, springtime Sunday when this woman, decides to cycle just a small route. Without thinking she just follows the bike lane straight ahead. Then she takes a right turn. From there it is just straight as far as the eyes can see. Left and right green fields and forests whiz past her. On the right the bay with glittering water appears occasionally between the trees. The further she gets, the less thoughts wander in her head. No more thinking about mails to send, bills to be paid, appointments to be scheduled.
When she almost gets to the furthest point she slows down to prepare for a U turn to take her back home again. But nearing the junction a fence blocks the bike lane and she hits her breaks.
‘Roadworks’ can be read in black letters on the large yellow board.
Going from a flow and a thoughtless bike ride the woman starts feeling agitated. She thinks through her options.
Turning back? No, that means biking a large part uphill again. Luckily the next option cycles right at that moment from behind her. Immediately she decides to follow this option. He rides a blue mountain bike and wears green outdoor trousers together with the same colored coat. With some distance she follows him until the next junction. While waiting for the green light she realizes, this small ‘bike ride around the block’ is turning into a more serious bike tour. Following a random man is not going to take her home either.
With a sigh she takes out her phone, switches off the flight modus and lets herself be found.
Then she sees it! Excitement pushes away her agitation
Five minutes later she finds herself there where she always wanted to be but never took the time to stop. The woman locks her bike. As she walks to the place she has longed to be for such a long time, the noise of the city traffic vaguely disappears to the background.
When she closes her eyes she finds herself surrounded by the comforting waves that quietly burst into thousands of water drops on hitting the rocky shore.
The tree that supports her back feels like the shoulder of an old friend.
The sun is like a warm kiss on her cheeks.
The birds are celebrating loudly.
And the wind? Yes, the warm wind whispers new beginnings in her ears.
How does this short story link the ability that we all can write a book?
This story is happened with me. Today we celebrate the ending of World War II in the Netherlands. Freedom means for me embracing peaceful, precious moments like this. Because I do not know what tomorrow will bring. The answer to this question is really simple.
We are all unique people with a unique life story to tell. This means your life story is a bestseller as you are one of a kind!
I can learn from your life journey and hopefully so can you from mine as well. When we have this openness in meeting each other, it gives us both a chance to reflect on what is worthy to write about and share.
This month it is one year ago that I started writing on Substack.
In my next post I will be sharing some highlights and lowlights of the past year.
And give some practical insights on how to continue writing your unique life story!
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