I’m going to share a secret.
I get nervous…really nervous when I’m talking about my book, “Surviving Sue”. Even when I’m chatting with my dear friend Wynne Leon on our podcast. I’m continuing to learn how to talk about the motivation to write my mom’s story… about living with her and persevering. Yes, surviving. The level of exposure for writers of personal narratives can be intense and I held very little back when I wrote about Sue.
Two things come to mind today when I think about that:
- As I wrote “Surviving Sue”, I often needed to ignore thoughts about the future audience of readers. This was a challenge for my empathetic heart. My hope is that inspiration is found within the pages, but I can’t guarantee outcomes or worry about the emotions my story might provoke. I can only write.
- Talking about vulnerabilities – even with trusted friends and readers – brings shivers. Not the incapacitating type (I’ve experienced those) but the sort that puts a quiver in my voice despite my attempts to disguise it. A persistent worry about worthiness rides alongside and I can slide into second guessing, critiquing nearly every word as I talk about “Surviving Sue”.
As book club discussions, workshops and courses line up on the horizon, I’m simultaneously excited and terrified. Finding my voice – the voice of a writer talking about writing – is a new role and I’m finding my way there.
One of the things that’s helped immensely – an unexpected gift? Peeling back the curtain to share techniques and strategies that helped me find my way to reconciliation and forgiveness. I can’t promise my path will be useful to anyone else, but I can share. And in today’s podcast, that’s what you’ll get. Sharing six-word style:
My heart to yours; with love.
Thank you to all of you who’ve read and listened to my story. Thank you to Wynne for being an ever-present source of delight, encouragement and empowerment.
Vicki 🥰
LINKS:
Episode 49: Six Word Stories with Dr. Victoria Atkinson on Anchor
Vicki’s post: Peek Inside: “Surviving Sue” – Six-Word Style – Victoria Ponders
Larry Smith’s site: Six-Word Memoirs – One Life, Six Words. What’s Yours? (sixwordmemoirs.com)
Writing Our Lives in 6 Words | Psychology Today
How to Use 6-Word Memoirs in the Classroom | Edutopia
Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue
Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith
Victoria Ponders 
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