In today’s world, it’s increasingly difficult to sit down and write. Busy lifestyles and the constant pull of social media distract us from our goals—yet so many wish to write and publish a book. That book can become the lasting testament of your presence on earth, a legacy of knowledge for future generations, and an asset that carries your voice to nations you may never visit in your lifetime.

I’ll share my story with you. I am the first person in my family to write and publish a book. My own parents had no opportunity for formal education, yet here I am—an author of 20 books over the last 20 years, with published works read across the globe.

Here’s what you need to begin:

1. Desire: You cannot achieve what you do not first desire. I remember being 15, watching a man I deeply respected—the late Professor Sola Akande—launch his Christian literature. I was inspired, and a powerful desire was born: one day, I will write a book. But desire alone isn’t enough. You must move from desire to determination.
   
   
2. Determination: Determination means creating a plan. Set your writing goals. Identify what you want to write about and for whom. Be determined to learn, read, research, and stay alert to ideas from the world around you. Set a deadline for when you want your first book published. But don’t stop here.
   
   
3. Discipline: This is the hardest part. It requires you to consistently sit down and write. Every great author is disciplined—committed to gathering knowledge and putting words on the page. Someone once asked me if I only write when I feel inspired. The truth is, it’s not about feelings; it’s about duty. Some of the greatest inspiration emerges during life’s most difficult phases. Many legendary works were written in prisons or at life’s lowest points. One of my most enduring plays was written on a day of deep frustration and lack—yet it remains one of my most acclaimed works. One sentence a day moves you closer to a finished book. Consistency is key. Beyond AI or other tools, you need discipline.
   
   
4. Desperation: Finally, you must be desperate to see your book in the world. If you aren’t desperate, you won’t allocate the necessary resources or seek the right help to make it happen. This positive desperation will drive you to share your work with your audience. Books are the proof that you existed, that you impacted your generation and those to come.