April 4, 2025
Welcome Back!
In my last newsletter, I shared the crushing moment when my friend told me to throw away my first draft and start over. I was too frustrated to touch the manuscript for months. But one day, something changed—and it marked a turning point in my writing process.
How the Memoir Writing Process Helped Me Go Deeper
I can’t recall exactly when or how, but I began to see what she saw—an opportunity to go deeper, to be more honest, to open myself up more vulnerably. Yikes. But I was finally ready.
This next draft included more about how I had jeopardized my marriage, stories about my grandparents’ traumas, and more scenes from the ‘other chair.
I let go of a rigid chronological timeline, allowing the memoir to move back and forth between the present and the past, from the therapy chair to the barn.
The process was long—there was honing, reworking, editing, and reproofing. But the result? I hope it’s a much more textured and engaging read.
There’s no way around it—birthing a book requires protracted labor.
📩 Stay tuned!
More behind-the-scenes insights into the making of this book coming.
is a therapist and author of Girl, Groomed, sharing her personal story of trauma and healing. Her work blends professional expertise and personal insight to guide readers on their own journeys to resilience.
cfodellmsw@gmail.com
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