Making My Story A Reality
After a day of feeling a degree of overwhelm, I realised I need to do some fresh prioritising or this book would never be finished
In stepped my beach coach, Des. We were walking on the beach and I was sharing my current lack of progress. Des came up with the plan for me to be accountable on a weekly basis.
There is part of me that doubts the value of my journey for others. Des reminded me:
You overcame this, if you hadn’t had that positive attitude and total belief that you were going to be healed, it might have overcome you. I said I might still be on dialysis. Des said I might not be here 🙂
That was my wake up moment. I so often forget the seriousness of the kidney failure I had. It takes Des and my freinds to remind me. I often think that what I did was no big thing!
It was very quickly clear to me that completing and publishing my book, Lucky to Be Alive: How I used the Power of Self Love to Safe my Life, had to be high on my list of priorities.
Maybe even the top priority.
I realise that regular readers of this blog might think, “Haven’t we read this before?”, and while I can’t think of a specific blog post to that effect, the reaction would be understandable.
But now I’m putting it out there that this time my commitment is quite serious. I’m reviewing my plan for completing the writing and scheduling the editing, publication, and marketing elements of the plan.
Being accountable
I’m taking some steps to hold myself accountable to get this done.
One of those steps is to post a weekly update on progress with the book, and I’ll do that even if in my own mind, or in fact, I haven’t made great progress in a specific week.
One idea I am playing with is that in those weekly posts I want to include some excerpts from the book as I’m writing. I’m not sure if that will work, but I want to try it.
Being supported
So many people have asked me when the book will be available and some of my friends have urged me to just get on with it! I’m very clear that I will soon be able to share with them and the world a realistic timeframe for that.
What would help would be for you, dear reader, and other readers of this blog, to share your comments and any questions or ideas, as I post my weekly updates.
If you want to be part of the journey and get the weekly updates Plus opportunity to get a review copy join in here: ( you will only get updates from me about the book, unless you are on my Heart Whisper Ezine list.)
Give Me Advance Notice for Lucky to be Alive + Opportunity for a review copy
What’s the burning question you have for me?
I look forward to reading your comments .
All my love
Live with love, smile often and be forever grateful
Give Me Advance Notice for Lucky to be Alive + Opportunity for a review copy
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Suzie I am so inspired by this post…I need to re-prioritize my book too! This is such a great reminder for me…I cant thank you enough for posting this.
Love you lots,
Z~
Thanks Zeenat- starting tomorrow I am going to be writing at 4 am as I can see it is the only way I will get it done , so happy it inspired you xxx
Beautiful and important blog Suzie. I had no idea that you had such a serious health crisis and I love that you are being encouraging and supportive in your process of finishing your book. I love your wisdom, “The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” That is my growing edge for sure. I look forward to witnessing your journey unfold! Thank you!
Thank you Kelley, I love having you supporting me, this will inspire me to remind myself each week to share- thinking of doing some live too. I must keep sharing my wisdom and keep you growing edge moving towards success xxxx
Accountability is so important! I belong to 2 biz groups that support my dreams and keep me accountable.
Great advice Rachel, I have 2 buddies and a group- so this time I will complete xxx
I am planning a similar project, Suzie. Thanks for sharing your experience with this. It will be very helpful. I’ll review your book when it’s live. Verified Purchases are better for your rankings.
Thanks Michaela and for the offer to review and info on verified rankings- good luck with yours too xxx
Suzie,
I also am struggling with getting started and making any real progress on a book. While I don’t believe I’ll post weekly updates :), your post has inspired me. I also saw anther article which said to give yourself a daily quoata of words to write – 100? 200? – then, it doesn’t seem so daunting. I like that idea also.
Debbie maybe we can support one another to get the book written- yes 100-200 is better than 0 words xxx
Your story is important! I understand, it’s hard to do everything I want you to do. I wish you the very best with your new plan.
Thanks Sandra, yes putting the daily plan together today as I have some real deadlines now! xxx
Suzie, as you know, I have published more than one book. I am certainly aware of how much effort is involved. Being accountable helps. Finding out if there are energy blocks may also be something that you want to investigate into.
Big hugs! I’m sure you’ll get there!
Thanks Evelyn,
that is a great question re the energy blocks- as I think you might have tapped into why I have taken so long. Thanks for you encouragement xxx
Hi Suzie…great news. Your story could be exactly what someone needs to hear about. Funnily enough I too am writing about healing myself, for that very reason…it could support someone else dealing with the same thing. I’ve already got my book cover done and it’s a great motivator…love the look of yours. Wrap that cover around a book and shine your sweet light on the world. Can’t wait. 🙂
Hi Elle,
Thank you- I have an adjustment to be made to the cover and I do plan to wrap it around a book to inspire ,e daily to wrote , look forward to reading yours too xxx
Suzie, writing and publishing a book is like getting pregnant and then giving birth. First comes the fun part-getting pregnant with the book idea, then comes the growth process of writing the book and watching the number of pages and parts grow, followed by the painful part that is a mixture of joy, blood, sweat and tears, the birth of the book. Sometimes we must rest between pushes to regain our strength and see if there is something else we can do to “get it out” easier. LOL! Keep pushing between rests. Stay focused on the end result- the joy of a new book (baby). You will get there. I love the idea of the accountability.
Kathleen I love your analogy, oh yes starting was fun, I easily wrote the first 9000 words – it is now going back and getting the structure . I will keep pushing between rests thanks for your encouragement xxx
Anxious to know when it is completed !! As my husband has kidney failure.. I can relate.
Good luck !
Hi Terry, sending your husband healing, the first thing I changed after I had my first relapse was to go totally alkaline after doing a lot of my own research and i was still on dialysis then Sign up here to keep updated on the book xxx
Boy, do I hear you! I’m working on more than one book right now and need to settle down and focus. I was inspired from reading, “How to Blog a Book.” I plan to use several of my blogs in the book with some changes and then add more pertinent chapters that haven’t been published yet. If I ever finish it, I’ll let you know how it goes. But girl, continue on your journey, set yourself small goals along the way, and you’ll finish that book. I wish you much success!
Thanks Julie, cheering you on and yes those 2 words, settle down and focus. I haven’t read how to blog a book, when this is complete and i have then revised my Emergings book i might look at that- I 3 series on here that would fit. xxx
I’m so proud of you Suzie, for staying the course in writing your book and making yourself accountable to complete it. Can’t wait to read it. I would love to review the book. I’m signing up
Thank you Vatsala would love you to review, being accountable will get the wheels in motion again and posting weekly keep ypu informed and interested xxx
I agree you need to get on with it Suzie because your story will help people! Now, here’s my two cents on posting updates … I know there are people who make a good living out of coaching writers to blog their books, personally, I believe it’s a distraction.
When you add posting excerpts to the writing process you start focusing on editing as you go and that is like trying to move forward with a ball and chain connected to your ankle. The worst part is that has the potential to block your creativity. Say you publish half a dozen excerpts and looking back over them you see things you want to change or parts you want to take in a new direction, but it’s out there now, what do you do? Do you go back and rewrite the excerpt or keep explaining to your readers it’s a work in progress?
I’m not trying to be a debbie-downer, but this is something I’ve thought a lot about because I’m working on a rewrite for my original book for the 5th anniversary. The process always takes longer than you think it will, but in my humble opinion, the only way to finish it is to commit to writing every single day, no excuses.
Thanks Marty, my plan is to write every day, I like your no excuses as that is what i have ben making and why it stalled. Not planning to blog the whole book just provide tasters and maybe some pictures as i find the ones i will have in the book. I get the ball and chain concept. Thanks I appreciate you input xxx
Just love that you are holding yourself accountable like this and sharing each step of the journey with us. Can’t wait to read your story lovely. It needs telling. People need to read it. Your book will have its own healing properties. The world is ready. GO YOU!!!! <3 x
Heather Thanks you are have been and are such a support to me both throughout this journey and in encouraging me. Yes I know that in writing the book there will be more healing for me as well as the readers. Love Suzie xxxx
Suzie you are a amazing spirit.You help so many and your art is so touching in many ways. If you will listen to Joanna Garzilli Big Miracles
I was inspired to share. Along with you and Joanna have come to me on my journey. Wow what a self caring trip. I’m a better person in so many ways Im learning who and what I am. The youtube is a little long but worth the time you’ll invest.Namaste
Thanks Gala, I love being part of your journey and helping to make you a better person. I might take the youtube to bed to listen to. Self-care is what creates the change . Love that you are learning who and what you are Namaste xxx
I love the Portuguese quote! I am being reminded of that lately; too many things going on. xoxo
Yes Natasha- I thought it was something i might put above my computer 🙂 Such wisdom and true xx
I love the whole concept of being accountable. I’d never get anything done without it! Good luck!
Barb that is wonderful, thanks for sharing, i think that is why I don;t have the book complete xx
Write your book. I imagine seeing it on the shelf at Barnes and Nobles. I hold this in my mind’s eye for you.
Susan, yes that is a great vision to have, I will print the cover and wrap it around a book xxx