#179: 10 Books Every Writer Should Write

Dec 29, 2023

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.” –Anais Nin.

Anais Nin was obsessed with the act of journaling her life. She began documenting her innermost thoughts and experiences at a very young age. To her, her journals were an indispensable part of her existence.

Her obsession with writing in journals was not merely a means of recording events but a way to explore the depths of her psyche and emotions. Her journals became a private sanctuary, a world of her own creation, where she could unravel the complexities of her identity, relationships, and creative pursuits.

“I believe one has to create a world in which one can live. I could not live in any of the worlds offered to me — the world of my parents, the world of war, the world of politics. I had to create a world of my own, like a climate, a country, an atmosphere in which I could breathe, reign, and recreate myself when destroyed by living. That, I believe, is the reason for every work of art. (…)

“Don’t wait for it,” I said. “Create a world, your world. Alone. Stand alone. And then love will come to you, then it comes to you. It was only when I wrote my first book that the world I wanted to live in opened to me.” (The Diary of Anais Nin, Vol 1: 1931-34)

But here is the twist to her story.

Had she chosen to keep her thoughts and insights confined within the pages of her journals, as many individuals have done before and after her, the impact might have been negligible. Instead, she made the bold decision to publish her journals. When traditional publishers declined to publish them, she bought a printing press and published them herself. Today her writings have been immortalized. She is one of the most quoted authors.

I believe every aspiring writer should take this approach. Instead of opting for the safe route of writing in obscurity, we should dare to publish our work. Today anyone can publish their book at zero cost. Yet most writers, even the ones who readily share their stories online, shy away from compiling their work into a book.

Books are the sole form of publishing that has withstood the test of time. Whereas your online writings may fade away, a tangible book will endure on your bookshelf and, subsequently, on the bookshelves of your children and grandchildren (and your readers) for years to come—especially if they are books drawn from your life.

“Why add more books to the universe? Aren’t there already enough books in the world?” you may protest.

To which I ask, “Why do you seek new books all the time? Why do you read memoirs and biographies?”

To which I would respond even before you get a chance to form an answer, "To fulfill our inherent craving to learn about other lives. To comprehend our own existence through the narratives of other individuals and their insights."

These are also the precise reasons we write. We write to understand ourselves. We write to grow and evolve. We write to taste life to the fullest. Anais Nin answered this question better than me:

We write to heighten our own awareness of life. We write to lure and enchant and console others. We write to serenade our lovers. We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection. We write, like Proust, to render all of it eternal, and to persuade ourselves that it is eternal. We write to be able to transcend our life, to reach beyond it. We write to teach ourselves to speak with others, to record the journey into the labyrinth. We write to expand our world when we feel strangled, or constricted, or lonely… If you do not breathe through writing, if you do not cry out in writing, or sing in writing, then don’t write because our culture has no use for it. When I don’t write, I feel my world shrinking. I feel I am in prison. I feel I lose my fire and my color. It should be a necessity, as the sea needs to heave, and I call it breathing.” - Anais Nin.

This year, I set myself an impossible goal. To write 100 books before my time on this Earth concludes. Not to claim a spot in the Guinness Book of Records for the highest number of books written (that record has long been set, and the count surpasses my modest goal of 100), but to undergo the transformative journey that comes with producing what might seem an insurmountable number of books.

I extend an invitation for you to embark on a similar venture.

That's why I shifted the focus of my newsletter from “Letters From A Whimsical Writer” to ‘Everything Is A Book.’ I see books in everything. I turned scribbles on notebooks over the years into a book and titled it ‘365 Notes For Me.’ Any lessons you learned, insights you've gained, any journeys you undertook, and any individuals you've encountered – have the potential to be turned into a book.

Through this newsletter, I'll guide you through the process of writing a book every quarter, offering exercises, prompts, and precise instructions on how to shape those into compelling narratives.

Your books aren't necessarily meant to be literary masterpieces. But, they should be grounded in your own experiences. In the era of artificial intelligence, stories created by humans have heightened value and are increasingly sought after.

Now here is a quote by yours truly–Our stories are the only legacy we leave behind. While all else fades with time, stories penned from the ink of our lives, enriched with our insights, endure and remain evergreen.

I believe there are ten books every beginner writer should endeavor to write:

A Travel Memoir

A book on your travels and experiences in different cultures. Share your observations and insights with readers through your unique perspective.

A Memoir

Write about your life. It can be a deeply reflective account of a transformation or simply remembering a phase of your life. Explore your personal journey, experiences, and growth.

A Cookbook

Do you have a notebook where you write recipes? Are there particular recipes that your children repeatedly ask you to prepare? Have you inherited a recipe collection from your mother or grandmother? Consider transforming these cherished recipes into a beautifully crafted book, making it a thoughtful gift for your children or friends.

A Book of Insights

We encounter countless insights throughout our lives, many of which are forgotten within days. Why not preserve them in a book? One of my readers embarked on a 100-day project, capturing a daily insight along with the everyday event that sparked it. I just finished beta-reading her book and it’s brilliant. The project helped her grow in more than one way. We too can capture our insights, preventing them from fading away and experiencing transformation in the process.

A Collection of Your Best Blogposts or Social Media Posts

If you maintain a blog or share posts on social media, chances are you've produced a substantial amount of content that may fade away with time. Why not consider compiling it into a book? Many excellent books have been crafted from collections of blog posts. “101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think" by Brianna Wiest, "Hyperbole and a Half" by Allie Brosh, “Julie and Julia” by Julie Powell are a few examples. All my books are based on topics I explored in my blog and online articles.

A Poetry Collection

Crafting a collection of poems will allow you to explore the beauty of language, emotions, and symbolism in a condensed form. It's a unique way to express thoughts and feelings. Why not write a book of your own poems? Rupi Kaur did and look at where it got her.

A Collection Of Short Stories

If you have dabbled with fiction writing chances are you have written a few short stories. You would have experimented with different themes, characters, and narrative styles. Lets put them out there. It's a great way to showcase versatility.

Children’s Book

Writing for a younger audience is a challenge as well as fun. Have you ever constructed stories with your children or grandchildren? Why not refine them and put them in a book? Your grandchildren will love them, even when they are grown up. My dear friend

Sue Clancy

, who has illustrated many children’s books, will agree with me.

A Handwritten book

Ever since I have read Debbie Millman’s handwritten book ‘Look Both Ways,’ I have been wanting to write one. More and more writers are trying this unique form and putting out their work in their own handwriting. Something we should do too.

Experimental/Innovative Work:

Let’s push the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Experiment with form, structure, or narrative techniques in a way that feels liberating and innovative to you. Let’s create something unique like Lynda Barry’s books.

We are going to write all these books on ‘Everything Is A Book.’ In the past 12 weeks, we tackled writing the travel memoir. In the new year, we are going to write a memoir.

But writing a memoir is no easy feat, you rightly point out to me.

Don’t worry I will make it easy peasy for you. Paid subscribers will receive an additional email from me next week before the start of the project.

As the year draws to a close, many of us find ourselves immersed in reflection and future planning. For me, 2023 was a pretty productive and relaxed year. I managed to transform from being a “stressed writer ” to a “relaxed writer.” It was a significant accomplishment for me. As I set my sights on 2024, my goal is to elevate my productivity and tranquility experience even further.

In my pursuit, I stumbled upon an enlightening interview with Ali Abdaal on YouTube. Ali Abdaal is one of the world's foremost productivity experts. He has recently released his book, "Feel Good Productivity." In the interview, he shared a transformative concept inspired by Mary Poppins—a Magic Post-it note. Reflecting on Mary Poppins' wisdom, "In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and the job gets done." Ali inscribed a question on the Post-it note "What would it look like if it was fun?" He began infusing an element of enjoyment into his tasks, reframing the conventional approach of tackling the "most important task of the day" to the “adventure of the day.”

Inspired by these concepts, I aim to incorporate them into my workflows in 2024. To visually encapsulate this transformative mindset, I've created an image. It is my gift to you for the new year. You can frame it put it on your desk or digitally affix it to your workspace.