10 WAYS WRITING MEMOIR SAVED MY LIFE

1.   It gave me purpose to get out of bed in the morning.

2.   It kept me in my creative essence.

3.   It encouraged me to detox my mind and my body by bringing my fears out onto the page.

4.  I could visibly see myself healing as I progressed through the chapters.

5.  I understood holding on to my anger served no purpose other than to keep me angry.

6.  I realized my writing not only serves as a healing tool for myself, but also for others.

7.  I became proud of my persistence in uncovering my truth,

8.  I became aware that I was in a process of releasing myself from shame.

9. I understood there was soul-evolving value in my personal experiences.

10. In my authentic voice, I found the real-deal validation I had been searching for all along.

CHICKEN SHIT SALAD

WHY CHOOSING YOURSELF IS VALIDATING

James Altucher says it like it is.  In The Ultimate Guide to Self-Publishing Your Best Seller Book, in reference to manuscript drafts, he says, “The difference between the original version and the final version is like the difference between chicken shit and chicken salad.”  I do love a bottom-line man.  

I wrote myself out of the victim vibe in just that way.  I had a pile of shitty life experiences that I eventually turned into a kick-ass healing tool.  Writing my book was not only the best therapy I ever had, but also positive proof that beautiful things can grow out of manure.  

Looking back at those first drafts of my memoir is painful.  But, I was still trying to figure it all out.  Fourteen years of revise, regurgitate, re-group, rephrase, and repeat.  

Aren’t you done with that book yet?  What’s taking you so long?   Let go of it already.  How many words do you have?  When is your pub date?  People!!!  Back off.  I’m trying to heal, here.  And since when is there a time frame on that?

James Altucher, entrepreneur and best-selling author of Choose Yourself, has taught me to choose myself not only in the self-publishing world, but also in life.  Don’t wait for others to offer up a validation of your work.  Detox the shit out of your fear and you’ll end up with a healthy salad, full of truth.