What a joy to be completing yet another memoir! When a ghostwriter is invited into a person’s life, it is like becoming an adopted child who just happens to have a passion for writing. The excitement really explodes when that memoir becomes a self-published book—156 pages of adventure—true-life risk, reward, romance, beautiful moments and tears.
When I re-read last week’s blog, I couldn’t believe that I left out one significant category to consider when writing your memoir—pets! For many people the critters in our lives become like family, maybe even closer than some family members. Their daily walk with us—their unconditional love and acceptance—enhance our lives in varying degrees as well as bring smiles to visitors and neighbors. So, I’ve developed a little “What my pet means to me,” list to help folks recall those little details about their pet that have added so much to their lives.
- How did this animal come into your life?
- If it is a dog, cat, horse, goat, pig, (etc.) what breed is it? Was that important to you? Why? Why not.
- Did this pet have a “story” before coming into your household?
- What are the human characteristics that you see in your pet? (loyal, courageous, shy, happy, playful, dedicated, helpful, ornery, a clown, rescuer, fearless, etc.)
- What greeting (type of greeting) do you receive from your pet?
- When did you first realize this special connection to your pet was more than an owner/pet relationship?
- How would you describe that connection and its development over time?
- What unique expression(s) or action(s) communicate this connection?
- What events—during the life of this pet—have demonstrated this connection? (brought you to someone who needed help; rescued you; alerted you to something you can’t explain; etc.)
- There are now verified benefits to inviting a pet into your life. Review these and express your personal experience with your pet as you recognize these benefits in your own life.
- Social benefits: Members of families feel closer to one another and generally happier; Pets are excellent topics of conversation; Friendly interaction with other people—pet owners and non-pet owners alike.
- Physical benefits: Calming effect, especially after a major physical event; Decreased blood pressure and stress levels; Reduction of minor health issues and/or need to see a doctor; Increase in physical activity, strength and wellness.
- Emotional benefits: Unique companionship after the loss of a family member or close friend; Less depression, anxiety and fear; A consistent uplifting effect that carries over to a willingness to step beyond ourselves and help others.
Although yet-to-be-completed, I have one client who is using this list to write a book dedicated to her best friend—a dog whose breed will remain unidentified until the whole story is lived, written, edited and self-published. This author often tells me that she knows that God, Himself, sent this animal into her life for many purposes and, “some (if not most) of those purposes just might bless other people, too.”
These types of projects are just one of the many reasons I love working with self-publishing authors. What they reveal are the moments in life when a person actually stops, identifies and shares the beautiful things in life—the gifts that enrich us and bring us joy.
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ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward. |
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