It’s the day after Christmas and I’m blown away! Your responses to my request for partners in my ONE BIG IDEA was unprecedented. Wow! Thank you!
Momentum is with us, so…moving right along…
The votes are in and there was a tie: Journaling the Subconscious and Don’t Hold On To What You Can’t Have are the clear winners. So, I’ve decided to combine them. It’s easily done, I think. Anyway, you’ll let me know if it’s working as we go.
Now, according to the advice from my mentor, Matt R., I’ve jotted down the first few paragraphs – a sloppy stab at what I think this book might feel like – and I’m once again looking for specific feedback. You’ll find those questions at the end. So here goes…don’t judge me…actually…DO JUDGE ME! We’re in this together – doing something old in a new way.
Title: Yet To Be Determined…
Chapter I (These are just a few intro paragraphs to get your feedback)
A reader called me out recently saying, How dare you offer advice without the proper education to back it up? If I had an imposter syndrome, that would have shut me down. SLAM! BAM! THANK YOU MA’AM! But impostering isn’t one of my issues. How do you measure what has been learned over many decades against a college degree and zero experience? Who do you want to listen to? A twenty-something who just scored their MA in counseling or a seventy-something who f****** knows sh** from living it? No contest, folks. Hands down, the one who’s lived, laughed, loved, failed, and yet come out on the other side vigorous and vim-full of wisdom…I’ll take that any day over a book-taught newbie.
So, let’s get to the task at hand. When I talk about journaling from the subconscious, it’s because I’ve been doing it for twenty years, and the revelations gleaned from that practice have transformed my life. And when I tell you not to hold on to something you can’t have…don’t get me started. Well, actually, yes! Set me loose on that one. Grasping and clinging, telling myself lies, compromised my happiness long past the deadline when most intelligent people would have figured it out.
——————————————-
Okay, it’s your turn!
- Did I successfully get your attention? If not, why?
- Are you convinced that I may have valuable things to say about the subject? If not, why?
- Have I engaged you enough to continue reading? If not, what should I do differently?
- Can you relate to the ‘voice’ – the somewhat cheeky writing style? (Remember, Matt says this should be brief, punchy, passionate, and above all, interesting.)
This is SO MUCH FUN! But…remember…be honest with your critiques. I was in the Ubud Writers’ Group and they were relentlessly brutal! I can handle anything!
Humbly awaiting your responses…
writing for self-discovery 
Dec 26, 2024 @ 10:30:15
Hi Sherry!
I so admire your vulnerability for sharing your earliest efforts with your audience. What a great way to gauge your topic’s appeal. Here is my only thought… Journaling from the subconscious is familiar to you because of your 20 years experience. But that is not the case for everyone, and some may be put off by what they do not understand and never read the book. On the other hand, letting go of what you can’t have seems a much more universal human conflict and therefore may have more widespread appeal. My suggestion would be to stick to one topic per book, beginning with letting go. Then once you’ve created a community of trusted readers, take them with you on the journey to the subconscious. Best wishes with your work! Rosemary
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 26, 2024 @ 10:51:29
❤️ What sage advice! You rock the big top – so cliche but I’ve always loved that saying!
LikeLike
Dec 26, 2024 @ 11:36:05
Experience and education should be enough to arm us with the good sense to “get out”, “leave it” or disengage. People advise us and all the sign for better choices are there. But we don’t listen. This is a fascinating subject and your two paragraphs already set up my curiosity. Can we learn from other peoples’ mistakes? Wish there was a class for that!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 26, 2024 @ 11:59:36
Can we learn from the mistakes of others? VERY GOOD QUESTION!!! I think it matters how those mistakes are presented, how relatable are the situations, and how compelling is the advice!
LikeLike
Dec 26, 2024 @ 12:04:16
Hi! I’ve been enjoying your blog for several years! I can’t begin to tell you how I even discovered you. Surfing around the web no doubt.
Okay, here’s my 2c worth. If you’re planning to publish a book, I would suggest a different opening paragraph. Paragraph 1 would become paragraph 2. I would omit “Slam Bam thank you ma’am. Or at least not in caps. Probably just me, but words in all caps make me feel like someone is shouting.
Paragraph 3 is golden. I personally love the idea of combing the 2 topics.
Yes, you have my utmost attention! This is a very valuable topic and I’m looking forward to what you write next! I’ve always enjoyed your “voice.” It’s what makes you so unique and interesting to follow.
M.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 26, 2024 @ 12:23:21
Your suggestions are great! The SLAM BAM is gone! Good riddance! I’m working on reorganizing the paragraphs. Another reader had a similar suggestion. Thank you so much!
LikeLike
Dec 26, 2024 @ 14:32:07
I am encouraged to continue reading. Looking forward to it actually. Your tone is from a person who has lived in their skin long enough to offer wisdom with grace and honesty. What’s not to like/love?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 26, 2024 @ 15:11:14
Yes, this skin has seen a lot of living! It’s so encouraging to hear that you’re looking forward to more. Thank you!
LikeLike
Dec 26, 2024 @ 17:29:33
I wasn’t strongly drawn in to the first paragraph. But I was to the second. Quickly I was thinking, Yes. I want that. Tell me more. I want revelations that can improve my life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 26, 2024 @ 18:07:14
I’m getting such great feedback! Others have made similar comments. I’m busy revising!
LikeLike
Dec 26, 2024 @ 20:12:04
“How dare you offer advice without the proper education to back it up?“
Ever the plaintive cri de coeur of The Credentialist; as though life itself were not enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 26, 2024 @ 22:07:24
Love it! Thank you🤣🤣🤣
LikeLike
Dec 28, 2024 @ 07:11:28
1.Definitely got my attention and fully agree with you.
2.Fully agree as I’ve lived almost as long as you and journaled myself.
3.I’m fully engaged after what I read
4. I LOVE the style. And I’ve been reading your posts for a long time and this “fits” you. I can’t wait to read more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 28, 2024 @ 07:16:32
It’s great to wake up to such affirmation! Thank you for reading and commenting. There have been some tougher critics so I’m in the process of making a few suggested changes then charging forward! Hope your New Year is full of happiness.
LikeLike