Options!

Since I returned from my writer’s conference I’ve posted some material from my manuscript on this blog. There’s a purpose to this. I know my manuscript is not publishable in its present form. It will never be publishable as a memoir. You’ll just have to trust me on this point. However, parts of it may be salvageable and I’m testing to see what kind of reactions I get.

I’m in my 50’s and made some pretty stupid choices and dumb mistakes in my life. Still, I’m quite successful and have emerged as a happy, irreverent, kind and loving person with many great friends.

The manuscript was sort of divided into 2 parts. The first part tells the story of my life and the second part tells all the lessons I learned and how I applied them. Several friends and acquaintances read it and they all had similar reactions. They all relate to some parts of my life, but the bulk of their interest is in the lessons and their applications.

So, I see 2 options for what I’ve written. First, I could turn it into a self-help type of book full of advice, wit and wisdom – all of which I’m chock-full of. Yes, I’m that person everyone goes to when they have a problem. I’m known for my ability to cut through the clutter and get things done or find options for other people. This is a blessing and a curse and I’ll tell you why some other time. Anyway, I’m thinking about a title like, “The Anti-Wife Tackles Life.” That’s option one.

The second option is to take some of the juiciest and most painful parts or my real life and turn it into a novel. I already have a beginning and an end in mind and some major turning points. I just have to come up with another 80-90,000 more words to go with them. Ordinarily I’d be afraid to write a novel, but in reading Holly Kennedy’s blog I discovered that you don’t have to write linearly – just cohesively. Her system might just work with my personality.

In the meantime I’ll blog. I find that I’m enjoying it far more than I thought I would and I’ve met some really interesting people. I like reading other writer’s blogs because they’re interesting and often literate and thought provoking. They challenge me to try and do better.

Anyway, those are my current options. I’ll keep posting parts of my manuscript occasionally and new material as it develops.

All thoughts are welcome.