If you’re a creative, teacher, trainer, or coach, should you write a book?
And if you do want to write a book, have you asked yourself why?
I’ve worked with many online writers who decided to write books--and when they start asking me their questions, I often respond with a question too.
“Why do you want to write a book?”
There is no right answer to that question--only your answer.
And, yes, you’re allowed to have many reasons for wanting to write a book—from being passionate about the subject, to wanting to share something with the world, to ‘just having a book in you.’
Today, I’m really excited to share an interview with María Ortega Garcia on the many reasons she wrote her book.
I loved working with María as she wrote her book--because her reasons for writing it were profound. She cares intensely about the intersection of language learning, writing, identity, multilingualism, self-expression, and healing. And because this incredible collection of passions makes her voice completely unique.
As you read this interview, remember that question I asked earlier.
Reading someone else’s story can help you discover your own truth.
That’s what I hope you’ll do today.
This post is part of a series: What keeps you writing?
I hope we’ll start a conversation around the simple and profound things that keep us showing up on the page.
Today, we’ll continue our discussion of what keeps us writing with María Ortega Garcia.
María describes herself as "part language coach and poetry therapy practitioner, part writer, creative and observer." You can find her blog here or follow her on Instagram.
You can read her book, Weaving Words: The Alchemy of Languages, to better understand her philosophy of language, identity, teaching, and life.
Or you can check out one of her workbooks for Spanish Language learners on Etsy.
What follows are my questions to María and her answers to those questions. Enjoy!
On choosing to write a book about your passion and experience:
Here is my question for María:
You’ve created a number of books, including a workbook on learning Spanish through poetry--which I love. Your latest book, Weaving Words, which we worked on together, dives deep into some of your unique views on embodied language learning, language, and identity. What made you want to write this book in particular? What was the experience like?
“At some point in my career, I felt I had gone full circle and had something to share. Having spent over 10 years consumed by my passion for education, languages and authentic self-expression, all peppered with bursts of my personal healing journey, I felt that some things in that regard made sense and I felt the urge to translate that sense into words, to make it real and neatly packaged for other’s consumption.
The experience of writing was both painful and pleasurable! The pain of typing words I felt disconnected from and difficult to get out, and then, the switch to pleasure when the writing was easy and almost from a place beyond me, like having someone telling me what to write felt so deep and rich.
The tension of knowing that only when going through the painful sentences I could get to the ones written in flow made me see the experience of writing the book as a deeply spiritual practice of connecting with myself and the life/creative source.”
How did writing a book change the way you felt about your work, and about yourself as a writer?
“After I wrote Weaving Words, a lot changed. I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and confidence in my ability to communicate a full idea, which translated in how I related with my work. That book was the validation I needed for my work. It made me feel that I was the authority figure I was looking for.”
What were the biggest challenges as you wrote your book--and how did you keep going?
“The biggest challenge was trusting myself. Since I struggle with consistency, I feared I wouldn’t be able to finish the book, but having a guiding hand (thanks Trisha!) and a network of support and accountability made all the difference.”
Do you have any final thoughts for creatives, coaches, or teachers thinking of writing a book?
“Dare to do it! It’s a rewarding experience, a journey of self-awareness and a gift to the world.”
A big thanks to María --and now back to that question for you--the reader.
I want to thank María for the chance to work with her on her book, and also for sharing a bit about her creative process with us today.
And if you are reading this for inspiration and wondering if you’ll write a book, workbook, or tiny collection of your own someday…
I invite you to return to that question I asked you earlier in the post.
Why do you want to write that book?
If you know already, share it with us in the comments.
And if not, maybe take a minute to write about it in your own journal. The answer(s) may surprise you.
A book is a big undertaking--what if you start small?
When you think of something as huge as writing a book it can seem too big to begin. But it’s all about starting with a few minutes of writing, then a few more.
Why not join me for a workshop or a tiny writing prompt and get yourself started?
Join my newsletter and get a set of tiny prompts geared towards getting you to write in 10-15-minute bursts of fun.
And you’ll receive invites to all my future live, free community writing workshops (that you can do--even if you’re just getting started, or have been taking a break).