In the world of different ways of learning, I am the poster child for a "book learner". You can show me something new all day long, and you can even come alongside me and have me do it while you watch. But for me to learn best and retain it the most, I must read what to do in specific steps. Add to that...most of the time even after reading instructions, unless I add my own super-detailed, copious notes, I don't remember it well. A second best way for me to learn if there are no written instructions is to create my own as I am being shown. I know this probably seems like a lot of extra work to many people, but it suits me.
So here is a brand new twist for a "book learner":
In about six short weeks, I'll have a book out there on Amazon. With the wonders of technology, it will be available for online purchase as a paperback or digital kindle version, and I'll have paperback author copies available for those who want a more personal touch.
Wow. You can't imagine how amazing this is to me!
So what are some things that a "book learner" has learned so far about writing a book? Hmmm.
Reading through journal entries recorded during a hard time is a good thing.
This book is a memoir, my story of my experience as my dad's caregiver. I started the process of writing the book by going through my over 100 pages of journal entries during this 4 month season and trying to follow God's guidance for what part of this information should be included.
I've pretty much always been a journaler. It's therapeutic for me and something I do that benefits me in a number of ways. Journaling becomes even more important - a lifeline - when I'm going through something hard. In tough times, it's like there's this searing flame within that can only be put out by writing what I'm feeling. Hence, 100+ pages of journal entries typed on my laptop in a short time.
Sidenote - I actually just went through all my journal entries from that time again, searching for something to verify it for the book. I was struck almost immediately by just how dark a time it was. I had forgotten some of how overwhelming, exhausting, and stressful it became, and how quickly. Which makes me appreciate all over again God's love as He brought me through it and back out to His light in my life. I've decided that I need to make this a regular practice - reading through what I wrote about this difficult journey. Not to live in the past, but to remember His faithfulness.
By reading my journal entries I learned anew what a miracle it was that I survived this season. Going through all I wrote was not easy, but it was cathartic and affirmed to me that I was never alone.
Details, anyone? I've got an overabundance.
I know that I am a detail freak. I have ongoing evidence in my life most every day to support this fact. But I suppose because this is me and it's all I know, I don't always realize just how over the top my all-about-the-details mind and wiring can be to someone else. Add to that all my questions and concerns and questions about my questions and concerns. And my perfectionist tendencies. And... the list goes on. This book work has brought all these traits out in full force.
I learned some things about myself that I was aware of, but see now from a whole new angle and want to address.
There is nothing wrong with being detailed, but when I let this desire for all the details become more important than it should be, it tends to escalate a variety of unhealthy compensation methods because all my mess is related. I see now how this is not just detrimental to me, but also can adversely impact others. Ouch, but I needed to see this.
I've mentioned Wendy Walters before in previous posts. She is the amazing person who has worked with me on the book since early 2022. Bless her heart. And I thank God for her patience, which seems unending.
No public speaking! Except...this.
It's obvious that I love to write. Written communication need? Bring it on! No problem, and in fact, I enjoy helping others with writing projects.
Verbal communication need?
See that? That's me looking around to find who you're talking to because it definitely can't be me! Me, who took speech in Junior High only because my mom signed me up for it in an effort to get me over my shyness. I wrote great speeches. But the rest of the course, the actual speaking part, was absolute torture. And no, it didn't help my shyness at all, but Mom acted in my best interest and it was a great and loving attempt.
I knew with no doubt that God called me to write this book. But for promoting it, I just thought I'm promote it here on my blog and on social media. You know, in writing.
Ummm... no. God kept nudging me, until I had this sore spot on my arm. Not from force, but from repetition, because I'm slow to catch on. I woke up, finally, and realized that if the people who could benefit from this book are going to be aware of it's existence, there needs to be a concerted effort to get the word out. And guess what? That includes me going places and sharing about the book with others who can spread the word. Even with all the technological advances today, word of mouth is still a big deal. So, I'll be contacting some people to hopefully do a few book signing events locally where I will briefly share what my book is about and how readers can benefit from my story. It's not much, really, but it's huge to me!
I learned that I can stretch out of my comfort zone when God shows me that the need is more important than my comfort.
This book learner has learned, and continues to learn, a lot from writing a book. But I don't want just the knowledge. I want to apply what I learn to grow and change in positive ways I can't imagine, but God already knows all about. You're never too old to blossom.
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