Write a personal memoir.

“As someone who has always been private about my past and personal life, the thought of being vulnerable has been absolutely terrifying. I often questioned whether I could even finish, particularly when it came to detailing my most traumatic experiences, causing me to confront and relive the same pain and emotions. I’ve had many restless nights and shed countless tears, compounded by my fears of criticism and judgement from the public.”

“Writing a memoir has been, by far, the most challenging and daunting task I’ve ever undertaken. Simply recounting life experiences isn’t enough; to create a compelling story, you must incorporate writing elements such as an outline, character development, narrative arc, sensory and visual language, and, if needed, research. Writing the first chapter is challenging enough, but it is just the beginning of countless drafts, edits, moments of writer’s block and imposter syndrome, frustration, and tears.”

“While we were writing, my husband and received several well-meant warnings from acquaintances who were unsettled by our plan to reveal intimate details of our marriage, and at times I feared that exposing our failings in such a public way might bring judgment from others. However, our actual experience with writing and publishing a memoir has been overwhelmingly positive. We have received so many messages from people whom our memoir touched in some way, or who have newfound hope in seeing a success story come out of a despairing situation very similar to their own.”