FIVE: what are they gonna think about your book?

readers' eyes see everything differently, and I'm thankful for that

It’s a daily nag for me…are my siblings going to think I went too far? Will friends feel like I shouldn’t say this, or former friends be nodding I told you so, when my book comes out?

What are you worrying about with your book today? I’ll bet it’s something like this: I’m worried that no one will care OR I’m worried that some people in particular will care TOO much!!

Let’s talk about the first part of that: When we start doubting if anyone will really want to read the book we’re writing … it sounds like,

“Is this really gonna interest anyone?”

“Am I writing yet another midlife memoir about loss and identity?”

“Should I even bother?”

Here’s me when someone asks me what my next book is about: “Well, it’s about my search for home, belonging and love.” And rather than buoy my spirits and channel my confidence, that exchange will get me to wondering if anyone wants to read another book about the quintessential midlife search for belonging. Sound familiar? Ugh.

Because I feel the pulse of this next book in my veins, and recognize that it is coming regardless of what I do, I respond to my doubt with some hard-earned wisdom and dredge up proof that I’m sharing here. Read on…

What I know from having my hands in so many memoirs … our stories are a map of our voyage from birth to now. There are no straight lines, and each diversion is a powerful lesson in receiving and resisting. A memoir is a slice, curated around a theme or transformation, and its written from my meaning-making heart.

Don’t underestimate the allure of your story—yeh, we all do it, because we’re just too close to it to judge objectively, (or writerly.)

Now, let’s look at the second part of that ironic statement up there - that SOME PEOPLE will

Through a stranger's eyes - your readers' eyes - 

your path is transformative, timely, and captivating. 

Don’t believe me? Read on, I’ll prove it to you. 

So, a woman loses her mother and decides to go on a long walk to learn what she’s made of before she wrecks her life completely, because she is in pain. Maybe not so exceptional when described that way, right? So, how about this: 

A grieving woman hikes 1,100 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail alone, from the Mojave Desert in Southern California to the Bridge of the Gods in Oregon, with no prior hiking experience. She survives, endures incredible physical and emotional hardships, and everything she experienced is curated into one of the bestselling memoirs of all time, published 17 years later. I changed just a couple of details in the description and this became a sensational story, Wild by Cheryl Strayed. 

Fresh eyes…see it all differently than your tired ones can. 

Whether your story is filled with laughter or tears, darkness or light, it has value to your future reader (and in the writing of it, it has value to you). If you are called to write it—tell your tale. 

Your unique perspective, your 'ordinary' experiences, your unique humour, your word choice and story weaving prowess  are all reasons for someone to keep reading. They're also reasons for you to keep writing. 

Hey, I’m leaning into Body Work by the fantabulous Melissa Febos right now on this…get reading that one, follow her, tell her I sent you.

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