Chapter 1: The Awakening

It was a serene weekend in February 2023 when I stumbled upon an audiobook titled No Excuses by Brian Tracy. Lasting about four hours, this audio experience was filled with insights that had me nodding along enthusiastically. However, one particular message reached deep within me, gripping my attention and enlightening my spirit.

This was more than just a motivational tidbit; it felt like a revelation. The essence of the insight was this: Humans, akin to homing pigeons, always find their way. As you set your sights on your objectives, those very objectives tend to gravitate towards you. The goal acts as a guiding light, and I realized I needed a clear target to channel my aspirations of becoming a writer.

The notion of being a published author seemed nebulous. Unlike the well-trodden path to becoming a doctor—where guidelines are clear and support is abundant—writing felt like navigating a maze without a map. There were no mentors, no organized study groups, and certainly no structured curriculum to follow. I was left to navigate this journey solo, and my own attempts often led me astray.

I floundered through various works-in-progress (WIPs), frequently finding myself awake at 3 AM, haunted by a fleeting story idea. Only by jotting it down could I find peace and finally drift off to sleep. This yearning for expression became a burden I wished I had never unearthed, like a chilling entity from a horror film, where characters unknowingly march towards their doom.

I could have lived a content life without this persistent ache—the stories clamoring for attention in my mind. Yet, the desire was alive, insistent, and demanding to be realized. I longed to fulfill it, to immerse myself in the world of writing.

Now, I realize I have digressed from my point. To bring it back: I had a passion but lacked a clear goal. That was my epiphany. Yes, I coveted the achievement of being a published author, but the questions of how, when, and why loomed large.

In those four hours of listening, Brian Tracy laid out a structured approach that inspired me to write diligently. I established a game plan, a guiding beacon. My hypothesis became clear:

1. Set a goal.
2. Outline the necessary steps to reach that goal (which Brian elaborates on extensively in his book).
3. Work on those steps daily.
4. Achieve the goal.

It sounds straightforward, right? But I won’t kid myself—it’s going to be a challenge. Nevertheless, I believe that with determination, I can draft, edit, and polish my work to prepare for publication within a year. Perhaps, as I pursue this goal, it will draw nearer to me, shining brightly as a beacon of hope.

About Joy Ekere: Occasionally, writing feels like a struggle; other times, it flows effortlessly from the voices in my head. I cherish those effortless moments more. One such instance inspired this piece—feel free to explore it further.

Section 1.1: The Reality of Self-Publishing

In the world of self-publishing, many authors wonder about the repercussions of removing their books from platforms like Amazon KDP.

The first video titled What happens to my book if I unpublish it from Amazon KDP? | Self-Publishing | AuthorTube dives into this topic, providing valuable insights for aspiring authors.