A Lesson From Lupe Fiasco about Life and Writing

Half the time when I’m writing these blog posts, I don’t know what I’m going to write about. I don’t know how a post is going to even begin, let alone how it's going end. But I've been writing for so long now that I just trust the process and write.

Sometimes, for inspiration, I flip through my journal and try to find a phrase that jumps off the page and speaks to me. Other times, I just start writing and think about what someone who has a book inside of them needs to hear so they will let go of procrastination.

Yesterday I was working out and inspiration hit me at the most unexpected time.

I was in the middle my morning exercises when Lupe Fiasco’s song “All Black Everything” qued up in the playlist.

“You would never know

If you could ever be

If you never try

You would never see”

I grabbed a note card, rummaged for a pen and wrote the word:

Possibilities.

Most people don’t start writing a book because they can’t see around the corner. They don’t know what’s next. So they don't even try!

But “if you never try,” the result is that you stay blind to possibilities that emerge when you just start. You never get to experience the amazing, unpredictable things that occur - the words that you hadn’t yet thought of before that just appear from untapped realm of your mind.

You start asking new questions of yourself and of others. Your story comes to life in a new way.

You come to life in a new way.

That's why I teach my clients to just do. Focus on the assignment at hand. Trust the guided process. Take a stab and let go of getting it right. We'll get back around to that.

Don’t let doubt stop you from telling your story.

Together, we try something new and the path of once unforeseen possibilities becomes clear for yourself and for your readers.

P.S. Click here and let’s explore what could be.

Alicia N. Ingram is a ghostwriter and book editor that helps aspiring authors start and finish their books. To receive more free information, inspiration and "The 5 Tips For Finally Getting Your Book Done" checklist, click here to sign up for the mailing list..