When I saw the book title on my Kindle, I laughed. I’m not sure if I had ever seen such a blunt, honest assessment and real angst that almost all writers face. The title was:
Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why That Is and What You Can Do About It
by Steven Pressfield.
I mean, c’mon, right? It was just too tempting not to bite. I downloaded the book, and I practically flew through every page; taking notes and always keeping my own writing in mind. Seriously, “nobody wants to read your sh*t” are pretty harsh words, but I took it to heart in the most objective way.
Pressfield offered some excellent points on what a reader wants, and equally important, what a reader doesn’t (no matter the genre.) So, I looked at the pages I’ve been working on in a new way. And that’s a great thing.
And the very next “great thing” was Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon, the collaborators behind the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, asking me to visit for a third time.
They had read my recent personal post Growing Up Fast in 1978 and wanted to discuss it. Vicki specifically wrote “to talk about this piece and/or your overall writing project/progress with your memoir. “
Well, that’s certainly interesting timing, I thought, as I was deep inside the trenches regarding concept, inciting incidents and hybrid memoir (or not). I could share my recent Pressfield lessons. Naturally, I said “yes.”
And not insignificantly, I realized I could also offer what I learned from my writing class taught by author Marin Sardy last summer. She literally had a hand in assessing the final Growing Up Fast in 1978 version.
So, right now, I feel like I’m working on several fronts, and it feels excellent.
The episode flows with helpful information, insight and some humor. It feels like a conversation with friends (maybe because it is.) It’s not just about writing. It’s personal too as we delve into my recent post you may have read. If not, it’s here.
Please enjoy below:
Audio Only Available Here
AND HERE’S THE SCOOP ON THE HOSTS:
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press https://victoriaponders.com/
Wynne Leon: I co-host a storytelling podcast featuring authors and artists with the amazing Vicki Atkinson. To tune in, search for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or Pocketcasts (and subscribe) or click here. Or the YouTube channel features videos of our interviews. Please subscribe!
My other projects include work as a CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), speaking about creativity and AI through the Chicago Writer’s Association, and my book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.
Leavingthedooropen.com 
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