I am excited to officially announce that I am writing a book! It’s called Dabblers vs. Doers, and is about working through RISK as you develop your craft and build a meaningful body of work. So many people are stuck in a rut between creative vision and crushing anxiety. They are overwhelmed by their many responsibilities both professionally and personally, and feel they keep hitting barriers with time, money and energy.
Even with the best of intentions, they find themselves merely dabbling with their creative vision instead of becoming doers – creating a powerful sense of momentum. My book focuses on the habits that prevent people from taking action in developing their craft and finding success that truly shapes the lives of others.
While I have tried and failed to write a book three times in the past, the idea for Dabblers vs. Doers came together when working with book coach Jennie Nash after she commissioned me to write this piece for Compose Journal: On Risk and Writing. That was the most personal piece I have ever written, and once it was completed, I found myself unable to let certain topics go. With Jennie’s encouragement, I began to envision what this could look like as a book.
In September and October 2014, I wrote 60,000 words to serve as the foundation of the book, and am now in the process of doing further research and editing.
My goal is to get an agent and publish this book traditionally, but as of right now, I have not sent a single query letter. I want to hone the book before I submit it to anyone.
Moving forward, I will be openly sharing every part of this process. As the book comes together, there are three ways you can become a part of the experience:
- Sign up for my weekly email newsletter to receive updates on the book, and everything else I am working on.
- Read upcoming Dabblers vs. Doers blog posts where I share a behind-the-scenes look at my process in developing the book.
- Subscribe to my podcast, where I will share interviews with inspirational creative professionals, which will serve as research for the book.
This is the page that will serve as the homepage for all things Dabblers vs. Doers.
As someone who works with writers and creative professionals, I will admit that it’s a bit scary to tackle the exercise of writing a book. Not too long ago I asked writers what they were most afraid of, and shared the results in this post. What I have found in my experience working with creative professionals, and doing research for this book, is that these fears are not tied to status or success. Even accomplished bestselling authors can experience many of these fears.
If any of this resonates with you, I hope you will join me on this journey.
Thanks!
-Dan