There’s no doubt, that the act of writing as therapy holds a hidden power of being both cathartic and curing; so much so, that psychologists and psychiatrists recommend it as a adjunct to their patients’ therapies. They identify that it is an ‘ideal way’ for patients to vent their feelings.
We all express ourselves differently and writing is an unconditional and non-judgmental way of releasing the deepest part of our being. The very act of writing can help us see the trend and patterns of our thoughts and illuminate insights into our problems.
Sometimes writing as a process, demystifies an issue and when we can see it laid before us, it declutters our brain. It can be a long and introspective process likened to a long, slow meditation.
But when is it OK to broadcast these inner most feelings and perceptions (which may include others), to the world? Many authors have chosen to write their memoirs for a number of reasons and even to go on to publish and it is very much a personal decision.
However, if you do plan to publish your book under your own name, perhaps you might like to consider the following:
- Most people will only recall the most salacious parts of a book; indeed, they will generally scan to “get to the good part”. This is a known fact. It’s why Tara’s fictional characters do so well. Ask yourself — “is this how I want people to remember me?”
- How are you adding value to the lives of those around you, those individuals who you love and are dear to you, by publishing your book?
- How could the publishing of your book hurt the people closest to you — even if you happen to change the names of the characters? Won’t your immediate family and relatives know who and what you are talking about?
- What elements of your book do you believe are really going to ‘change a person’s life’ for the better? Courage? Survival?
I write this not to dissuade you in your rewards for effort of finally publishing your in-depth and growth enriching memoir, but more to highlight the fact that “once it’s out there” it’s very difficult to take it back.
Michael Collins tells his own situation beautifully in that, although he found the experience of writing personally rewarding, there were others to be considered in his choice to publish. He says, “..what we write can alienate us … it’s worth thinking about what we actually publish … .”
It’s never an easy decision, I simply encourage to look at it from all sides.
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