This practice of daily writing that I do needs to lead somewhere.
There must be a point to it, and I guess the most important objective is the commitment and act of showing up every day and doing something on a repeated basis.
But there is no point becoming a prolific, consistent, improved (if that happened) writer without some end in mind.
I have been toying with the idea of writing a novel. But I do not think the time is right or I am ready now. I simply don’t have some compelling, fascinating, or even interesting idea for a story.
I could look around for one, alright, but I think for now my focus should be on my non-fiction writing. The most obvious place to focus my attention is on my existing books or a new non-fiction book.
I would not like to move on to a new book with a feeling that I am leaving my existing books, which sell well, behind and outdated for the want of some updating and care and attention.
My book on digital marketing for small businesses could do with an update to consider the new platforms which I now use since first writing that book. For example, TikTok and Instagram Reels.
My employment law book could be updated to include any new legislation since the last version of that book, and also the proposed changes to employment law in Ireland-for example the introduction of a statutory sick pay entitlement.
And it would be easy to make a new “cases” type book along the lines of the previous one, “31 Irish employment law cases”. The “Buying a house in Ireland” book was first published in 2014 and it could benefit from an update to include the Help to Buy scheme for first time buyers and some commentary on the housing market.
It is easy to look at all these books and feel a sense of overwhelm and wonder ‘where do I start?’ But starting on one of those books-any one-would be the first step.
And then this practice of daily writing should be a useful skill to rely on to do the work that is necessary. This practice of daily writing also has the benefit of helping me to get my thoughts in some sort of order and come to a reasoned, sound decision.
Let’s get to work.