“I was swept away in your story.”
“I stayed up till 3am to finish it. I have so many things to say.”
To say I am ready to share my story is something . . . for me anyway.
When I first started writing this memoir I simply called creative nonfiction, I did not plan it for publishing. It was just something I had to flesh out.
Like ridding your body of toxins. A cleanse.
Once the story unfolded on paper, I asked myself (or Someone asked me):
Are you just going to continue keeping this story hidden?
What if someone needs to hear it?
What if it helps someone overcome their past?
My plan was to join Substack and make some connections with other writers & readers.
I never dreamed of having such deep conversations with people I just “met.”
I had most of my book written but was not sure exactly what I was going to do with it.
I queried agents. I attended writers’ conferences and spoke to publishers and authors and received positive feedback—which all helped because it kept me moving forward. I employed beta readers & editors for structural analysis and honest feedback as to the compelling thread in the story. I shared excerpts with my writing group.
I began healing.
After reading so many Substackers’ stories, I decided I wanted to keep control over how my book looked and just when I wanted to release it.
That does NOT mean I was not open to said editing & structural analysis. I was. And I’m so thankful for the skills of my beta readers & editors.
& to name a few.I started leaving little breadcrumbs at the end of my posts in “Stories With Shell” that would lead readers to a deeper story. Like this one:
Who Am I? Why am I here? How do I find the Light? If you are searching for answers too, I hope you stay tuned for more.
While mine is a personal story, it resonates with many who have experienced shaky foundations & walking through the valley of the shadow of death. I hope you stay tuned for publication.
My memoir might cause “a catch in someone’s soul,” someone who has lost more than a simple, little memento.
Have you noticed any of these hints?
As you might gather in the progression of this writing journey, once I healed, the story became no longer for me.
It is now for you.
Feel free to join me on this journey. Official Book Launch coming soon.
[I’m excited to share & connect with others who have at one point or another felt the ground give way below them, like I did. It left me sort of flailing around until I found strength to climb back up to solid ground. Now I’d like to grab hold to others & spur them on to a strong sense of identity. Sharing this publication may just grow our community. ♥️ I appreciate you. ]
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