Expanding My Book

At my latest meeting with my book mentor, I did a ten-minute free write on the question: How has my illness fundamentally changed me? The goal of this exercise was to see if there are any additional thoughts I have that are not yet present in my book. I realized I still have so many more experiences and lessons to share, so I am going to add these ideas to my memoir, each as a new chapter.

When looking to expand a piece of writing, my first step is always a free write. These are helpful because there are no guidelines, so I can immediately identify my prominent thoughts. Sometimes my free writes are in paragraph form, and sometimes I write my thoughts as bullet points in a list.

After writing for at least ten minutes, I look through my ideas, pulling and grouping my words into common themes until I have a more cohesive foundation. Then I can transition this format into a more formal outline. Each theme acts as a chapter idea for me, and under each category, I add specific narratives, quotes, and additional thoughts.

A few bullet points from my latest free write:

How has my illness fundamentally changed me?

• I see the world/Earth differently

• Appreciation of nature and little moving pieces in the world

• Unity and connectivity of life

• Learned to let go of the need to control every part of my life

• Allows me to live more in the moment

• Not overthinking everything

• Saw the kindness, love, and support of my family and friends

• When going through a traumatic event, the world around does not stop, but I felt like I was in a bubble and nothing else but breathing mattered—hard feeling to explain, nobody else really can understand this

Turning these ideas into chapter outline form:

My appreciation of the unity and connectivity of life

• Because my illness impacted my nervous system, I learned how our inner systems are connected and how the nerves control all of our functions because my functions were prohibited by damaged nerves

• When first at neurology center, story of laying on the medical table and Irina asked me to lift my leg off the table, but I couldn't...

• Story of me in physical therapy and trying to lift my leg off the table—exhaustion mentally and physically

• Story of learning to crawl on floor of gym before walking

• This knowledge of connectivity in our bodies allowed me to see the unity of life

• Influenced by nature and vastness of AWE

Learned to let go of the need to control every part of my life

• Allows me to live more in the moment; not overthink every action and decision

• Elaborate on my struggle with Why me?

• Story of riding home from doctor in the car and talking to my mom about why this illness happened to me; her answer being about my stability and ability to overcome it—family support, location, determination…

How my illness impacted my siblings

• They were lonely, afraid, scared, confused, mad

• Each reacted and made it day by day in different ways

• Stories of leaving during middle of day for weeks for hospital

• Luke sleeping at hospitals and never wanting to leave

Asking my friends and family how I have changed since my illness; how am I different?

• Mini interviews

• How have some of my family members changed from the illness?