Writing Can Be A Rewarding Journey

Dear Coach,

I see from the information at the end of the column that you’ve written a book. The process seems daunting – especially to write a book about mother loss.

I’m wondering what you learned from the process. I’m considering writing a memoir. 

Signed,

Wanton (not sure this is the correct word) Writer. 

Dear Writer,

Thanks for posing this thought-provoking question. Yes writing, publishing, and promoting a book (in a pandemic, no less) was and is a daunting process. It’s like becoming a parent. Had I known what it was like, I might have had second thoughts but then, in the end, I’m so glad I did. It’s like that.

So, what did I learn from writing a self-help book about mother loss? Here are the top ten things that come to mind:

1. I needed to be brave enough to dig deep into my emotions and share what I found, including finding a way to express the dark side of my mother loss journey.
2. Time doesn’t heal. It’s what you do with the time. Healing is possible when we choose responsibility, when we choose to take risks, and finally, when we choose to release the wound, to let go of the past or the grief.
3. Accepting the hand you’re dealt and moving forward in spite of loss is the way to freedom.
4. To ask why is to stay in the past, to keep company with guilt and regret.
5. Knowing you have Alzheimer’s and having Alzheimer’s are two diseases. When a loved one has Alzheimer’s, you lose them twice.
6. How to create a blog and write posts for years, how to develop a web site, how to create a PowerPoint Zoom program.
7. How to feel the fear of putting myself and my creative work “out there” and doing it anyway.
8. The importance of a great developmental editor.
9. Expressing grief through creativity is healing.
10. Writing, publishing, and promoting a book is really hard work but very rewarding. 

I have a bunch more, but this should be enough to satisfy your curiosity. If you’re thinking about writing a book – just do it. Don’t think about it too much or you’ll never get started. Also, consider joining the Marco Island Writers: marcoislandwriters.com.

P.S. One gift of COVID isolation – I’ve written a second book. Watch for my historical fiction about life on the prairie of Nebraska (1875-76) later this year.