Leslie's Story: Writing "Walking in Healing"

Coping

Summary

Kathy interviews Leslie on writing her memoir. She discusses her journey from journaling privately to publishing a book sharing her story and healing process. Listen to how the power of writing can transform your life.

Kathy: So welcome, Leslie. My first question is, what prompted you to write your memoir, your own story?

Leslie: Well, I love to write. I just, growing up, I didn't know what, exactly. I started when I was younger, like just writing in my journal, because I did not know how to express myself, so the only way I could do it is through journaling. And then I discovered later on that I just love writing. I wanted to write a devotional because I felt like devotions are so pretty. And so, you know, just something that takes, that I could write about God and not about me. But then once I started writing, the only thing I could write is my story and then God began to work there.

Kathy: Well, you mentioned one obstacle already of wanting to write your own story. What other obstacles did you face in this project?

Leslie: For sure, fear of a lot of things. But one thing that, because I started writing a few years ago, but I got stuck and the fear of being vulnerable. I felt that it was too much or too "out there". And I just was thinking of what if people say this or like just focusing on that and I didn't know how to be vulnerable.

Kathy: And then how did you overcome that? Because I'll just get stuck there, right? We're like, oh, nobody cares about this or people are going to judge me or I'm telling too, it's TMI.

Kathy: Yes.

Leslie: I remember one day in particular that I was just wanting to write. And then, so I got it again and now I just kept writing. And at that very moment, God began to heal some of the things that I wasn't writing and I realized that I was being healed while I was writing. And I wanted to experience that and help someone else experience it. I knew that the smallest thing people can relate to. So I felt like if I just write this and one person can relate, then it'll be worth it, you know? I'll write about my life and about healing, but the healing part of writing this book was another level.