NPR featured my book on the air today. The one I was supposed to write. The one that I've had ideas about for years. The one that was tailor made for me.
It was the book I was supposed to write - but didn't. Because I was too busy writing medical reports, or doing press releases for volunteer groups, or going grocery shopping and doing the laundry. Because I was more interested in playing around on Facebook or following links on Twitter than sitting in my writing chair. Because I chose to go out to lunch with friends rather than do research at the library.
It was the book I wanted to write - but didn't. Because I was afraid I wasn't smart enough. Because I was scared people might laugh at me. Because I feared the topic wasn't important enough.
It was the book I should have written - but didn't.
So someone else wrote it.
NPR gave me more than another book to add to my to-be-read list (and read it I will, this book I should have written but didn't). NPR also gave me a serious wake up call. All these writing ideas that keep pestering me are doing so for a reason. They're trying to prod me out of my complacency, stir me from my slovenly slumber, and imploring me to take this writing thing seriously.
It's now or never.
How about you? Have you ever gotten a writing wake up call?