How Does a Book Begin?

How does a book begin?

With a wonky idea that’s given permission to remain.

It’s in moments of absent mindedness when the spark usually comes—a long drive in silence, waiting in line at the grocery store, starting the morning slow with coffee on your front porch—and there it is: that weird, persistent idea.

You like it but you’re also slightly embarrassed by it. You wonder, “Is this actually innovative, or does everyone else already know this? Could this go anywhere? Could *I* do something with it?”

Probably not, you conclude. But… you don’t want the idea to go away just yet. You’re tempted to quash it entirely. Don’t you have more important things to spend your time on??

Instead, you let it be. And every so often, it catches your attention once again.

Eventually, you decide to blow on the spark. You sit near its trembling heat. You start to scribble new ideas, adding twigs to the shivering flame. You begin—maybe—to believe in it. That’s how a new light is born, how a book begins.

Do you have a persistent idea? One you enjoy and feel skeptical about at the same time? Can I ask you to do something for me today?

Blow on the spark. See what happens next.