Out of the blue, my therapist asked me what I wanted to happen when my third memoir was published. I answered by telling her revisions are still in process, no publication deadline has been set, and I’ve asked only one person so far to be a beta reader.
I realized I was evading her question. We talked a little while longer and when the session was over, I told her I’d think about it.
Later in the day, when I approached the question again, my ego rushed right in to answer the question, saying of course, we want the book to become a best seller, against all odds. We’d just have to do everything the right way—book signings, marketing, networking…
I countered that I didn’t want to do any of that and sprinkled in some fresh statistics. Did my ego know that 4.2 million books were published in 2025? I then asked what the chances were that my book would be a runaway best seller? They fell silent.
Then I thought about how I never thought I would write one book much less three. I recall vigorously stating that I’d never write a book, “it’s just too complicated.”
So what do I want to happen when my memoir is published?
My therapist and I have already discussed how the impact this book will have on the world is out of my hands. I most likely won’t know how my words affect the reader.
But how do the words affect me? Crafting the story of my inner world helps me understand myself more, digging deep to know what I really thought and felt after Wendell’s heart attack and during his recovery.
I also believe that if I can help just one other person to feel comfort because they know they are not the only person in a million who has had these thoughts and feelings, I will rejoice.
I meet with my therapist next week and I’ll tell her all this and I’ll let you know if we come up with anything else.
IMAGE: This image messes with my writer’s brain – what does it do to yours?
