At first, I thought, Who would care about my story? But here’s what surprised me: people did. My book found its way into the hands of men and women, students and retirees, even other politicians. Readers connected not because my life was glamorous, but because I was honest about my journey. And four years later, I’m still selling books and giving interviews.

For almost 33 years, I’ve shared my life with a man who speaks faith in a language different from my own. He is Jewish. I am Catholic. Our whirlwind courtship after meeting at a beach bar had us talking about marriage within 6 months of dating. We quickly acknowledged our religious differences, and we committed to forging a path toward understand and respect of each other’s religions.

Writing your memoir can be one of the most generous acts of your life. Discover why personal storytelling matters and 10 tips to write generously.

Memoir is a gift you give others, even if you write it for yourself. It's a mirror, a message, and a map for someone else to follow. Your lived experience can be someone else's life raft.

I was good at writing others’ stories - making their cases - whether for advocacy, funding, or recognition. But to turn the tables, look in the mirror and inward? That was a challenge that morphed into a gift, for it taught me to value my experiences enough to share them so that they may help, inspire, or simply entertain.

Even when the writing is messy… especially when the writing is messy… you are showing up for yourself. You are practicing courage. And you are validating your truth in a world that doesn’t always do that for you.

When you share your story, you are not just writing words on a page.

You are flapping your wings.

You are releasing something sacred into the world—and you have no idea where it will land, or who it will touch.

Overthinking is the enemy of every aspiring memoirist. We convince ourselves we’re not ready. We stall. We research. We organize our sticky notes into color-coded chaos. And we never write a word. You don’t need more overthinking. You need a memoir blueprint.

Whether you’re navigating writer’s block, imposter syndrome, or the fear of being “too much,” these relatable TV metaphors offer powerful lessons to help you write your truth and move your memoir forward.

You think, Who am I to write a memoir? Imposter syndrome whispers that your story isn’t compelling enough. But here’s the truth: Memoir is about connection, not perfection. Your unique life experiences will resonate with someone who needs to hear them.

Self-doubt is a normal part of the writing process, especially when you’re sharing deeply personal stories. Every writer, at some point, asks themselves, "Is this good enough?" or "Will anyone care?" But here’s the truth: your life experiences, no matter how ordinary they may seem to you, are valuable.

Marketing your book doesn’t have to be something you dread. In fact, it can be one of the most enjoyable aspects of your author journey if you approach it with the right mindset.

For many first-time authors, book marketing feels like a distant worry—something to tackle once the final draft is ready, or after the book is published. But the reality is, the sooner you start thinking about marketing, the more successful your launch will be.