Whenever I’m on the faculty of a conference or I do a school visit, or even just in casual conversation, people will often express their burning desire to be published. The conversation will often go something like this (let’s call my conversationalist Annie):

Annie: I’ve always wanted to write a children’s book!
Me: Oh, cool, you’re a writer, too!
Annie: Well, I have this story I’ve told my kids/grandkids/neighbor’s kids and they love it.
Me: Have you written it down?
Annie: No, but I’ve told it so many times.
Me: So write the story and submit it!
Annie: I just don’t have the time.

Then come all the reasons why Annie can’t find the time to write her story. And believe me, I totally get it. Writing is hard. But it’s so worth it. If you have a fabulous story, find the time and write it down. Work on it. Rewrite it, and work on it some more until it sings. Be hard on yourself, but in a good way, not as a demeaning mantra of “I’ll never get this done,” rather, tell yourself, “I’m really honing this story!”