​If you've ever needed the motivation to get your life down on paper then look no further. I'd like to share 6 great reasons why writing your life story might be the best thing you’ll ever do.

Maybe you’ve been thinking about it, or maybe your children or grandchildren are nagging you to do it.

Whatever the case, you now have 6 more than compelling reasons that will make you want to put pen to paper, or hand to keyboard, straight away.

1. Leave A Legacy For Your Family

This is often the reason that resonates most with older people.

Writing the story of your life will ensure that you’re not just a name on a family tree. Think of it as achieving your own little piece of immortality.

The generations that follow you will know and understand who you were, what shaped and influenced your life, and what life was like in your era.

It’s a fundamental human need to know our past, how it links to the present and where we fit in.

By writing your life story you’ll be helping your descendants to understand where they come from and to know themselves better.

2. You Gain A Sense Of Purpose

Telling your story can give you a goal to aim for - a reason to get up in the morning.

You will feel that you are making a contribution to your family and society, that you are part of something that extends beyond yourself.

Older people in particular sometimes feel aimless, and that their life is not of much value or worth to the rest of the world.

Writing your life story is the ideal remedy!

But what if writing your whole life story is too much?

Maybe you could start with a memoir, which covers a particular time or event in your life.

3. Ignite Your Creativity

Writing your life story gives you a chance to be creative.

Transforming your life into words is one of the most creative pursuits you can engage in, and brings a terrific sense of achievement.

You don’t have to be a great writer - even if you’ve written nothing more complicated than a shopping list since you left school, don’t worry.

Just start and learn along the way.

You may surprise yourself, especially if you’ve been an avid reader all your life.

People who read a lot usually have some sort of ability when it comes to putting words on the page, because they’ve subconsciously picked it up from the books they’ve read.

It can be easier if you have a mentor to guide you.

They can help with such things as planning and structuring the book, the writing process and editing, or all three.

Purpose Publishing offers a coaching service for those who are keen to write their own life stories and I offer an obligation free discussion about the best way to approach your book.

If you want your life story written but don’t want to do it yourself, we offer ghostwriting services too.

With this service, our team will write the book for you the way you want, but you are credited as the author.

4. A Boost to Your Health

Writing your life story uses a lot of your mental resources.

Digging deep into your memories, creating the structure of the book and the process of writing it all help to keep your brain active, especially important as you get older.

And being involved in something that you find fulfilling contributes to your overall physical and mental well-being.

5. Cultivate a Connection

Storytelling is one of our most basic forms of communication and we are hardwired to respond to stories.

Through telling your story, you find parts of yourself that are mirrored in others, and vice versa.

As Michelle Obama said, ‘When we share our stories, we are reminded of the humanity in each other.

And when we take the time to understand each other’s stories, we become more forgiving, more empathetic, and more inclusive.’

When others read your life story and make comments such as, ‘I can relate to that,’ or ‘That’s exactly how I felt when that happened to me,’ it gives you a feeling of connection to that person.

Sometimes you think you’re the only person to have reacted in a certain way to an event, or to have had particular thoughts and feelings.

To discover that others have had similar experiences is gratifying - often a relief - and helps you to appreciate being part of humanity as a whole.

6. Understand You, Even Better

Socrates said, ’The unexamined life is not worth living.’

Often it is not until you put your stories down on paper and evaluate the highlights, milestones, struggles and disappointments, that you can put things in perspective and see the big picture.

While we’re in philosopher mode, Danish philosopher Kierkegaard said, ‘Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards.’

Writing your story enables you to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses, lessons you’ve learned and how you’ve overcome obstacles.

You can see patterns in your actions and behaviors which perhaps you hadn’t noticed before.

You'll see how everything that has happened in your life, good and bad, has led you to where you are today.

This kind of clarity and insight can only be achieved from reviewing your past can also result in changing your future.

You may decide to go on a long-desired trip, write that novel or take those art classes, visit the friend you haven’t seen in 20 years.

The feeling of accomplishment in getting your life story into print is indescribable.

It's an achievement that you can be reminded of every time you look at your bookshelf. If you need help, schedule a call with us now. We are here to help.

To Your Success,

MG

Life Changes can be major as changes come in many forms. There are adverse events like divorce, job loss or a death in the family. There are also many positive changes such as a new job, the birth of a baby or moving to a new city. Or how about the completely unexpected Covid-19 virus that has wreaked havoc on the year 2020! One thing all of these changes have in common is that they all can produce negative mental states including anxiety and depression.

Yes, even things you look forward to can cause emotional discomfort. Why? There are a number of possible reasons. For many people, a consistent routine is what feels best, and when it is altered, they experience stress. For others, a major change causes a sense of fear of the unknown. In any case, there are things you can do to minimize or eliminate the negative impact of a big life event. I’d like to share some ideas about navigating such terrain.

4 Techniques for Navigating Big Changes

When you experience a significant turning point in your life — or better yet, when you see it on the horizon or when you don’t. Please begin by taking time to prepare — try these strategies for experiencing less fear and sadness and, when possible, more excitement and joy.

  *   Acknowledge your discomfort. Often we try to hide our feelings about a major life change, not only from our family and friends but also from ourselves. Acknowledging to yourself that, “I’m worried. This situation scares me,” is a great first step toward dealing with your anxiety in a positive way. From there, making the same kind of admission to your loved ones can help even more.

  *   Focus on physical relaxation. The positive or negative state of our mind and our body go hand-in-hand. Taking time to release your physical tension can have a very positive effect on your emotions. Exercise, proper nutrition, a massage… there are many ways to sooth your body and soul.

  *   Take charge of the change. Being in the uncomfortable position of wondering “What’s going to happen next?” is a major cause of depression and anxiety. One of the best ways to counteract it is to take action. For example, if you’re nervous about starting a new job, drive by the location before your first day so you have your commuting strategy in place, plan what you’ll wear the first week, grocery shop for lunch and snack food, ask the HR representative questions about company culture or your new boss about your job responsibilities. In short, be proactive.
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  *   Cultivate an “attitude of gratitude.” For positive life events, this isn’t hard to do. The new baby, the adventure of relocating and getting to know another town or the new relationship all have many exciting aspects. Remind yourself of them regularly, and be thankful that you get to experience them. With negative life events, this strategy is more challenging. However, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and an opportunity to begin a “new chapter.” Practice mindfulness to keep your mind in the here and now. Observe thoughts and feelings from a distance without classifying them as good or bad. Keeping those things in mind can help prevent negative thoughts from dominating your thinking.

The ability to prepare for and manage major life events is a valuable skill. People think that in times like these we can’t prepare, but the truth is we should plan ahead as best we can, but stay in a posture to change plans as needed. We’ve learned in this COVID climate that being blindsided doesn’t mean we stay blind. But rather we stay ready for whatever lies ahead.


To Your Success

MG

As a writer, you are presented with so much advice; figure out what feels right for you. Enjoy the journey and stay engaged. It’s a long and glorious road, just take one step at a time.

I recently heard about a writers conference in New York and it happened to be on the same weekend of the New York Marathon.  And you know what, independent authors and marathon runners have a lot in common!

One, writing and publishing a book is certainly no sprint. Not unlike the runners on race day, a book’s release happens after weeks, months, and years of careful, meticulous work and planning. Just like the runners at the start of the race, the authors who make it to release day are truly hardy, tenacious, and driven.

I often think about all the wonderful books that will never be read because their gifted authors lacked some single quality that would otherwise have taken their book to finish line. Whether it’s a lack of self-confidence or a tribe to support and encourage them – whether it’s a lack of tenacity, self-motivation, thick skin, or work ethic necessary to hone their craft and reach their goals – without perseverance in the face of many obstacles, making it all the way to publication will always be just a dream.

Two, I meet so many ambitious authors who were hungry to learn everything they can to get their book to the next level. Their enthusiasm is contagious. Just like a runner has good days and days when shin splints keep them sidelined, an author will experience a combination of good flow days, painful editing days, no-motivation days, beautiful sentences, mixed metaphors, blocks, inspiration, re-writes, boosts of self-confidence, moments of insecurity, and a resolute finish strong attitude. (actually, it just might be harder to write and publish a book than it is to run a marathon.)

So how do we make sure we are ready and motivated to run the long race and not peter out after the fanfare of launch day? Just like a runner’s need to load carbs, writers need to stay fueled. Attending a writers conference does just that. Hanging out with fellow authors – people who truly get you – is fortifying.

There are many opportunities to get inspired, and even to get a keener sense of your own writing projects. By the end of a writers conference, attendees inevitably experience an endorphin high. Capitalizing on this state of excitement is crucial.

You will probably not feel more stoked than you do on the way home from a writers conference or workshop. Let that work for you. While some people feel lightheaded from all the information they’ve gained, and it may take a thoughtful plan to accomplish some of their new goals, I say do something immediately! As soon as you get home, or the next day, do something small. Something that will take little time and effort. It will feel productive to have taken a first step. Even the smallest adjustment could create momentum.

What’s the easiest thing you can do? Maybe take a look at your Amazon book page to see if your book description has great keywords, or maybe you want to turn on the “Ask the Author” button on your Goodreads author page, or maybe you will link your website to your Author pages on Amazon and Goodreads. After you tackle some of the simpler things, think about taking on some larger goals; perhaps you want to list a book giveaway on Goodreads. You will not feel this excited a month from now. This is the height of your “writers conference endorphin high.” Use it to your advantage!

The truth is, you won’t be able to do everything. No one does it all. At a conference, you are presented with so much advice from a variety of professionals. Some of the ideas will strike a chord with you, others will not be right for you or your projects. Figure out what feels right. What can you do on your own? What do you want to hire others to do?

Most of all, allow yourself to get excited about the small victories. This way you are enjoying the journey and staying engaged instead of feeling burned out or overwhelmed. Hopefully, it will be a long and glorious road, take one step at a time. And hey … no shin splints!
 
To Your Success,
​
MG

If you are considering entering a writing contest and wondering why it is charging an entry fee, consider the operating costs of the contest provider.

I was recently sent an email asking, “Do you think I should enter a writing contest? I, considering it, but I really don’t want to pay the fee. “I’ll sometimes find a contest that might work for me, but then the publication requests $10, $20, and sometimes more to enter. Most times I just pass. Why should I pay to present my work? I have paid a few, but generally I balk at anything over $10.” What do you think?:
 
My first reply is, “Would you fund a contest out of your own pocket and work for free?”

Contests can present remarkable opportunities for authors, particularly unpublished authors. They can expose your work to audiences and jumpstart your career – not to mention pay you for your writing. They are an oft under-appreciated chance to further a writer’s reach and reputation.

A tiny minority of writing contests out there do not charge a fee. Why? Perhaps they have a major sponsorship or the financial means to operate without having to ask for fees. Most contests simply do not have that luxury.

I managed a contest for nearly a decade, and I can tell you it was not cheap to run. Still, we offered a category that required an entry fee, and another that didn’t. To make a point, the winner of the no-entry-fee category received a meager $50 first prize, while the winner of the entry-fee category earned a more generous $500 prize.

If you are considering entering a writing contest and wondering why it is charging an entry fee, consider the operating costs of the contest provider, including:

1. Prize money. No organization has bottomless pockets. The money for operations, including prize money, has to come from somewhere. Why not entry fees?
2. Judges. If the contest boasts the participation of a reputable judge or two (or more), they have to cough up the money to pay these judges. Just as no writer should be expected to work for free, no writer, publisher, or agent who serves as a contest judge should either.
3. Advertising. You’d never hear about a contest if it were not advertised. Advertising is not free. That money has to come from somewhere.
4. Publishing. Many writing contests include publication as part of the prize. Whether print or online – but particularly in print – there are expenses affiliated with publishing.

There’s also the qualifier of setting a barrier to entry. In my experience, contests that that require an entry fee typically attract better work. The first contest we ran was a bit of an experiment, and the results confirmed what we expected: the quality of writing was higher in the entry-fee category. When there was no financial barrier to entry and writers had nothing to risk, the quality of the writing submitted was notably inferior. It wasn’t even close. That fact alone justifies the entry fee.

Back to the email I received, I look at things precisely the opposite way: if I see a contest that does not charge an entry fee, I’d advise you to  investigate more to determine how they can afford to fund the competition. Even then, I wonder why an organization would choose to forgo the income stream provided by entry fees and avoid drawing funds away from other needs in its enterprise.

In short, if you find a contest that seems legitimate and suits your writing, pay the entry fee. A reputable contest provider has the right – and the need – to charge it. Plus, it might inspire you to submit a better-quality product.
 
To Your Success,
​
MG