Day 73 Question 73:
If you could write a book, what would it be about? What would the title be?
I have wanted to write a book for as long as I can remember. The problem being is my lack of focus. I have focus sometimes but I can’t always seem to hold onto it. I am so interested in sooooo many things that it can be hard for me to focus on only one. I think that is why this blog has been such a godsend for me to be able to express myself….there is no order and absolutely no structure. Hahaha. Honestly, I would love to condense this blog and take my favorite and most meaningful pieces and put in in book format and send it out in hopes of it becoming a book that will sit on bookshelves all over the world.
If I were to write a book on a subject outside of this blog (well something more structured I mean) it would have to be a book geared mainly toward women and the topic at hand would have to be self-esteem. I would not want it to be your typical book that would just tell you to love yourself and to tell yourself daily that you are beautiful. I would write a book that would capture the reader’s attention and give them the opportunity to see that they are not alone in the world. They are the owners of their destiny and fate. I would want to write a book that could be relatable to thousands, maybe millions, maybe all women in some way or another. My book would include stories shared by women of all ages, shapes, sizes, weights, colors, cultures, sexual orientation, etc. I believe when we are exposed to other’s stories we are able to get a much greater perspective on our own lives. We are able to appreciate what we have just a little bit more and we are able to build in ourselves a sense of compassion and empathy for others.
I think the topic of self-esteem is so important because I believe this is something that is affecting our world (and especially our women) in a very tragic way. I believe people are losing their sense of identity nowadays because the media, our friends, our family, everyone is telling us how we should be and we no longer know who we are. It is easy to lose the grip on ourselves but it is completely possible to get it back when we do.
I have to share a quick story. I have a friend that I graduated high school with. We have not seen each other in years and we were friends in high school but not sure close friends. This girl was so kind and had such a great personality. She was not part of the “popular” group and she definitely wasn’t a “nerd”. She kind of just stayed in her middle ground but she was accepted and liked by all. This girl was very easy to like because she just exuded positivity and kindness. I found out about a year and a half ago that she had stage 4 colon cancer. One month after being diagnosed, her father was also diagnosed with colon cancer. He passed away 2 days ago. She is in complete remission. She has had a very long battle with chemotherapy treatment and pretty much not being mobile for the last year. She has spent majority of the last year in the hospital. What is truly amazing about this story is that right after being diagnosed she was married and her husband has stayed by her side the entire time. I follow her Facebook updates and through all of the awful treatments and time in and out of the hospital and now losing her father, this girl has kept such a positive attitude. I am sure everyday has not been easy for her. I am sure there are days she just wished it was all over with because the suffering and the pain seemed unbearable but she pushed through. She is (very obviously) a fighter.
My life keeps changing (I believe for the better) because of having people like this in my life and being exposed to stories that inspire me. I am unsure of how I would deal with the same situation my friend had to go through. She sounds like she has been way stronger than I ever could be…but I guess you have to be when something like this happens to you. I guess what I always say is truth, “If you believe you are defeated then in fact you are defeated.” It was in your face obvious that this high school friend of mine was NOT going to be defeated.
If I were to write a book I would want to interview and speak with women/people with all different kinds of backgrounds and I would want to share their stories. The other day I was watching an episode of Modern Family (because I am obsessed with the show) and Manny (11 year old boy) was not invited to a party by his classmate because kids thought he was weird. His uncle Mitchell sat down and talked to him and told him that when we are young we are all so desperate to fit in and it is almost as if overnight we all want to be different. My book would want to be a message to the world to let everyone know what being different is ok. Everyone has their own story to tell and even though you may not understand or be able to relate, the differences can teach you something you never knew before. Differences should bring us together not push us apart.
I am unsure what my book title would be. I have tossed around a couple of ideas and the one that keeps coming back full circle is: I Promise It Will All Be Ok. This one sticks out so much because in my opinion it holds so much truth. It has taken me 33 long years to find myself. I have not found myself in full but I have discovered the person that had been hiding in the shadows for a very long time. I hid behind a mask of insecurity and self-loathing. That was never the true, genuine me. That is never the true, genuine anyone. My book to the world would allow women/people to evaluate themselves and be able to find how truly beautiful, special and unique they are. It would allow them to throw away that person that was holding them back…their own mean, inner critic. I think every one of us has this ugly, mean, self-criticizing demon inside of us (with some it is more apparent) but we don’t all know how to get rid of this nuisance. My book would be a guide to love yourself (as cheesy as that might sound to some people). It would not be step by step instructions of how to look in the mirror and love everything you see or love everything about yourself but instead it would be words written about every woman in the world. Words written that all women can relate to in some way or another. Words that would comfort women in knowing they are not alone in their journey and even through the hardest times there is always a light at the end of the tunnel…even if it is so very faint. I believe everyone in the world deserves a fair chance to experience true happiness. I know what it feels like to suffer and if I could be a part of the process in helping someone (or hopefully many others) ease their pain then there is nothing more that I could possibly ask for.
It's a New Day... 
I’ve been contemplating one called “Suicide Note” (don’t be alarmed!) as a sort of social commentary on the world and all the reasons to give up on it. Horrid, no? Also another one about the ideal world (to me) where the ideal isn’t real, it’s a creation of each persons imagination (strangely, nobody imagines an ugly world with our current worlds systems/parameters) and this virtual reality is the reality everyone experiences, until they find out what the reality *outside* of where they are is (which is what our planet is likely going to be like in 100 years…) it’s called “Virtual”. Crimony.. some alarmingly prolific writer is going to grab these ideas and be published in a month. This comment is my official proof for copyright, or something. 🙂
I love it :0) You totally made me smile big :0)
Thanks.. I had to take a break to find something for you and it’s this. Get the book “So, You Want To Write!” by Ann McIndoo, and just start answering the questions in it. It really does help you focus (although honestly the book I outlined in it was all about how I think everyone is crazy and men suck, so although it sits here leaning on the iMac, it’s really just for inspiration). lol
Thank you soooooo much for telling me about this. :0)
I totally just purchased it on Amazon :0)
wow.. let me know how you like it! I really got in to mine until I got distracted by the over seas move and new job. it’s still here though. 🙂
I’d read your book!
I will let you know when it comes out ;0)
If you could write a book, what would it be about? What would the title be?
1. My life.
2. Is This Real?
you can take a look at my blog http://350e52ndstreet.wordpress.com/ and you’ll see why! i am actually making it into a book!!
🙂
if we’re talking non-fiction, i can already tell you the title: “separation, divorce, and getting your life back.”
I started my first book when I was about 11. Needless to say I never completed as I got distracted by life. I am now working on writing a book of haiku. To do this I started my blog and set out to write 1 haiku a day. So far I am not half way through and have 187 written. The working title is “Haiku Trails”
Reblogged this on Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde and commented:
I love the message of this post! If only every child, teenagers especially, understood this.
I am seriously considering writing a book or books on the problems that homeless people need to deal with. The contemporary problems of our society that cause them to become homeless and how they overcome those obstacles and get back on their feet or perhaps they give up all hope and remain homeless and die on the streets. I shall base the novel(s) upon my personal experiences.
B less you for sharing so opening your aspirations about writing a book to help women build up self-confidence. I am actually writing an adult fairtytale/allegorical series (some of which appears in my blog posts) to move people to join in agape love around the world for peace.
I am writing a book, nearly finished, took forever! I posted the first chapter on to my blog in rough draft so that I can post it again after an editor has dissected it and people can see the difference between the two, It’s easy if you just do it in small bites 🙂
I would read your book Diane.
I’m in the editing stages now on my first book which is very similar to what you described. Mine is a year long daybook that is geared to personal growth and transformation. I hope to have it finished and maybe on the shelves before the end of 2012. It’s been 15 months in the making and is quite a project.
I love that :0) When it makes it to the shelves I am absolutely buying a copy :0)
Thanks so much for stopping by the Adventures of Conrad Von Supertramp. Your book idea is a great one and I would encourage you to not give up that dream. I always challenged my life to live in a way that if someone wrote a book about me that people would want to read it. Did want to share this video about thought and which voice we listen to. http://youtu.be/OtjCyf1NuLM
Thanks again! STop by anytime.
i like your book idea.
I think you should write for both man and woman. I’d read your book.
I’ve now wiped the tears away from my eyes after watching the video of those beautiful, young women who do not believe in themselves. It is so sad. I cannot believe how heavily I have just sighed. I sigh like this because I am not simply coming across young women who feel like this but women my own age and also older than I am. It is an epidemic which has lasted throughout time. I think you should write the book. Forget about not being able to focus just get the first draft down – no -one needs to see it – focussing comes later with editing. Please just do it. We have to ask ourselves – as writers, do we have a duty to society? The answer is yes. So please get started – it won’t be easy but it will be worth it. You will help many people – I think men will read it as well.
Thank you for the push :0) I will do it :0)
You must do it, I think it would be a very effective book. I also think that you would help a lot of people which I know from reading your posts will appeal to you. To start off, so that it doesn’t seem like a massive task, simply make a list of items which you want to cover. Take one small step – go on -I know you can do it – now give yourself permission to write a book.
Pingback: The sunshine award… | soumyav
Pingback: The sunshine award… | soumyav
Enjoying your questions everyday!! nominating u for the sunshine award…! u truly deserve it..