Your Story

We either think our lives are so special that everyone should be interested in what’s happened to us, or so ordinary that we can’t imagine anyone would care. The truth lies somewhere in between: yes, we are all special, and no, people will not care—unless we write with them in mind. Joanne Fedler, a beloved writing teacher and mentor, has written Your Story to help all people, even those who don’t necessarily identify as “writers,” value their life stories and write them in such a way that they transcend the personal and speak into a universal story. This book shows how to write from your life, but for the benefit of others. Each human life is unique, and the meaning we each make from our joys and suffering can, if written with a reader in mind, be an act of generosity and sharing. Filled with practical wisdom and tools, the book tackles: mindset issues that prevent us from writing ways to develop trust (in yourself, the process, the mystery) triggers or prompts to elicit our own stories Joanne’s original techniques for “lifewriting” developed over a decade of teaching and mentoring and much more “Joanne understands the writer’s loneliness,” says one such writer whose life she’s touched, the award-winning Israeli author Nava Semel. “In this book she has created a menu of encouraging possibilities on how to overcome our fears and dig deep into our souls, so that our true voice can emerge.” Joanne Fedler is the author of nine books in genres from literary and commercial fiction to self-help to narrative nonfiction and memoir. Some have been international bestsellers. Her books have sold over 600,000 copies worldwide and been translated into several languages. Growing up in South Africa under apartheid, Joanne spent years as an advocate working to end violence against women. Today she is a popular speaker, writing mentor, and writing retreat leader; every year she takes a group of women to Fiji, Bali, or Tuscany to write their stories. This book is the culmination of ten years of writing and teaching others to do the same. Websites: joannefedler.com, joannefedleryourstory.com, joannefedlerwritingretreats.com See less