It has been said that every person has a book to write. Although I knew I would one day write a book, I don't consider myself a writer. I have written over 200 articles and two books. My approach to writing is simple: decide what message you want to convey, whether fiction or non-fiction, and write with the audience in mind.

Although I am not a writer, I produced a 203-page book based on my knowledge and expertise regarding protecting children from sexual abuse or incest.

When M. Scott Peck wrote his first book, The Road Less Traveled, he began the first chapter with the sentence, "Life is difficult." No truer words could have been spoken. Throughout the book he explained the concept that once we accept that simple truth, everything (everything) becomes easier because we have accepted it. Throughout the book, he explained how that simple truth, if accepted or rejected, is played out in our lives.

Thus, the simple truth to writing is no more complicated than, "You can write an article or book." The fact that you found this article and are reading it says you want to write and want to learn to write--another thought-provoking statement.

You, too, can use your knowledge and sell it in the form of an article or book. Everyone assumes that they are ordinary, and that they know nothing of value. The truth is, everyone lives a life of unique circumstances and experiences that results in the building of a body of knowledge or expertise--knowledge or expertise that has value and that can be packaged and sold to others.

YOU are an expert in something, and that knowledge has value to others. People will gladly accept the message you wish to convey rather than experiencing your painful learning curve. You are reading this article aren't you? What prompted you to read it? You wanted to learn something about how to write successfully. OK, someone might be reading this article because they don't have anything better to do. But for the rest of you, you want to avoid going through a painful learning curve. How is that for a thought-provoking statement?

If you believe you can't write an article or book, you've created that belief - for which you have no proof. What proof do you currently have that confirms your belief that you can't write an article or book? If you hold the belief that every best-selling author wrote every article or book in perfect form the first time they started writing, you are setting yourself up to fail. The simple truth is that every author writes and rewrites many times before the article or book rolls off the press. Accepting that "Life is difficult" or, in this case, writing is difficult allows the task to become easier. It is our beliefs that create our reality.

Using the following seven guidelines, I have produced this article that will benefit many would-be writers who have not heretofore had the courage to write.

1. Develop an outline--include all the points you want your audience to know.

2. Tell the story as if the audience has little or no knowledge--avoid talking down to the audience or above their heads. For example: If you are writing professional material, write at the level your audience would be in terms of education and sophistication. If you are writing to a general audience, use common language to convey the message.

3. Tell the story in a conversational tone. This style draws your audience in and holds their attention.

4. Be descriptive; give details to help the audience develop a clear mental picture of what you want them to understand.

5. Challenge your audience to dig deeper into themselves to understand your message. Use thought-provoking statements and questions. How many thought provoking statements and questions can you find in this article?

6. Research your topic thoroughly from every angle, thus giving your audience a broad spectrum of depth and breadth.

7. Last, but not least, have a good editor. Editing is the final touch that can make or break your material. Writers write and editors edit. While editors may write, it is fool hardy for writers to double as their own editor. Remember the simple truth that surgeons don't operate on themselves. Choose an editor who is interested in or has knowledge of your topic.

The main message I want to convey to my audience is: although you (an ordinary person or skilled professional) are not a writer, you can write an article or book.

The simple truth: writing is as easy as explaining something to a friend who is interested in your topic.

Are you with me so far? Have I convinced you? If I have not yet convinced you, continue reading. If you are already convinced, I will see your work in print soon. Let me know the name of your article or book; I would like to read it.

There are thousands of people who would benefit from your knowledge or insight on a specific topic, without going through what you went through to learn it. Have you seen the plethora of infomercials on television? "How to buy real estate with no money down." How long did it take that person to perfect the system they are selling--weeks, months or years? If you buy their course, you will have the same knowledge they do within hours or days. Many people are willing to spend the money to avoid a long learning curve. There are thousands of people who have the same interests you do in fiction or non-fiction genres. How many non-fiction and fiction books have you read and thought, "Why didn't I write that [book/story]?" When I read M. Scott Peck's book, People of the Lie, I thought to myself, "Darn, I could have written that book."

In fairness to those of you who are not yet convinced, but want desperately to write an article or book, I will confess. When the public relations manager for my publisher informed me that one of the things I needed to do to promote my new book was to write an article on writing, I went into total panic. "I am not a writer, I whined..."I am a healer, who happens to be able to string a few words together. I write as I would talk to my clients or in a conversation." Nonetheless, I promised her I would be a "good girl" and do my best. In the meantime, I was frantically busy with my practice and getting ready to go on an 11-day vacation. So, here I am sitting on the plane with my laptop, 36,000 feet in the air, writing the article I said I was not capable of writing. Up to this point, I have not researched the fundamentals of writing. Wow! I am really putting myself out on a limb.

Researching a topic is important. My style is to write what I know and then find research to collaborate my statements. I take this approach because I know it is not possible to have a perception or creation that does not exist. Therefore, I know I will find articles or books to support my perceptions or creation. This is my style; however, you may prefer to research your topic and then begin to write. The Internet is a great resource; however, for some topics you might need to use the library.

The final thought I want to leave with you is this familiar axiom: "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you are right."