Day 2944 – How I Wrote A Book In Six Months – or – Eat The Elephant One Bite At A Time

Posted on August 2, 2017 by 365 days of marriage

I’m not one to lie to you or to give a pretty picture of my life. I’ve put myself out there in pretty much all the ways that you can. There’s so much on the internet about how people don’t show the hard and gritty side of life. The hustle, basically. I hope that I give you my honest life. So in that vein, a few days ago, I was not doing well at all. I was feeling completely overwhelmed. I felt like I was never going to complete my to do list. I felt like a failure at so many things in my life.

Thankfully, I didn’t stay there long. I was reminded that a completed to do list will never happen. There are so many more important things to worry about than an incomplete to do list. I have skills to do the things I need to do. But my biggest realization over the last few days is that big things happen when you’re faithful with the small and the daily. There are certain things I do every day, and almost every day, and they have built up to big accomplishments. I think my biggest accomplishment is this blog. I’ve blogged every day since April of 2011. There were a few days in the beginning that I missed, and there are a few posts that have been removed, but I have shown up every day. Even though it’s a different type, I am writing every day. I have written just shy of 2,300 posts. I have blogged for 78% of my marriage. I didn’t realize these numbers until right now, but I am amazed at them. I have severely underestimated the power of small steps.

I’m grateful for a book I randomly found at the library Dream Big, Think Small by Jeff Manion (This is an affiliate link to Amazon. This means I will get a small percentage if you buy this book or something else. I only share affiliate links to things I have used. This book changed my life and I highly recommend it). It can be read cover to cover quickly, but he recommends reading a chapter a day. I’m taking this route. I keep the book with with my bible and journal as a reminder to read the chapter after my devotions. It has been such an encouragement. It has made me want to think of more ways to add small routines into my daily life.

So how did I write a book* in six months? I worked on it slowly, as much as I could in a day. I didn’t work on it every day, but each small step, each short editing/writing session took me another step closer. Today marks three months on my alcoholism memoir. I’m not sure how much longer it will take to finish, as it’s a whole other type of project. It reminds me of the process of writing my first book* – one where it’s about growing and changing me in the process. It’s really starting to take shape, I’m in the “taking all the ramblings and putting them in a sensible order” stage.

Don’t underestimate the power of taking one bite of your elephant every day. And don’t think writing only 10-15 minutes a day won’t add up to your book one day.

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Day 2941 – Paperback Book Day – or – 2017 Paperback Book Recommendations

Posted on July 30, 2017 by 365 days of marriage

Ah fun days, I love you. 🙂 Especially when those fun days are about things I love like reading.

While I prefer paperback books over hardback books, most of my current reads are hardback. This is mostly due to the fact that a lot of the books I read are new, kid’s books or it seems most business books are only hardback.

Jennilyn’s 2017 Softcover Recommendations

Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget* – well, of course I had to include one of my books. 😉 I have to say, I really like the quality of the softcover books from Amazon. Have you ordered a softcover book from Amazon? What did you think about the quality?

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper* This was a fun book about a widower who goes on all kinds of adventures learning about his recently deceased wife. It was an interesting example of how you can never fully know someone.

A Fall of Marigolds* This was a fascinating book set mostly in 1911. It followed a nurse on Ellis Island in New York. I don’t read much historical fiction, but this story was right up my alley. I love stories that combine lots of random things (9/11, a fabric store, nursing) into a story that makes sense.

What Alice Forgot* I mentioned this book back in March and related it to my drinking experiences. It was an interesting idea – what would it be like if you forgot 10 years of your life? It was a page turner that I read pretty quickly.

As I’m looking back through my list of books read, I’m realizing I really don’t read that many softcover books! Do you read many softcover books? Is your to be read pile filled with hardcover books? Or are you all about the digital books? Let me know in the comments below.

* Amazon affiliate link – no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order
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Did you like what you read? Here’s some ways you can support us and this blog!
Join our Facebook group, Planning an Epic Road Trip on Any Budget
Join the Journey With The G’s email list (bonus – you get my Epic Road Trip Budget spreadsheet)
Buy my book, Planning an Epic Road Trip on any Budget
Buy my book, Trusting God With 2 Cents: 22 Days To Becoming A Successful Christian Business Owner.
Shop on Amazon (no additional cost to you, this gives us a percentage of what you order).
Check out our resources page.
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Day 2940 – Honesty Is The Best Policy

Posted on July 29, 2017 by 365 days of marriage

I mentioned yesterday there are times I want to toss my alcoholism memoir manuscript. It is just not fun sitting myself down, forcing past Jen to remind me of what happened those times. Taking an honest look at those memories. Those times hugging the toilet. Those times doing really stupid things. Those times I can’t remember. But through the process, I’ve realized how nice it’s been coming clean. Sharing my testimony was a big step in living a truly honest life. Having my alcoholism and sobriety out in such a public fashion has helped me take major steps forward in a lot of areas in my life.

A few days back, we were having dinner with a dear friend. Our conversation was about how I embarrass easy. My past Jen definitely embarrassed easy, but my current Jen is much harder to embarrass. I am much much much more comfortable in my skin. I embrace who I am so much more. Living honestly has been so freeing. And as my 5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me post can attest, there isn’t much y’all don’t know about me.

So I encourage you to live an honest life. Express who you truly are, warts and all.

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Day 2939 – Getting Drunk In Gettysburg

Posted on July 28, 2017 by 365 days of marriage

As I’m making my way through my alcoholism memoir, I’m remembering some of the experiences where I got drunk and ruined the experience. There are so many experiences I wish weren’t marred by my drinking problem. So many times when I was hungover and not able to enjoy the day. So many embarrassing experiences.

One of them popped up in my On This Day today. We went to Gettysburg three years ago on a pretty cheap Groupon deal. We did a little exploring. We also got alcohol. What followed was me drinking so much that I broke an entire bottle of beer on the bathroom floor. So much time was spent cleaning that up. What could have been a really fun experience (the hotel had an indoor pool and it was a bit of an oasis), turned into what normally happened when we went away and I drank. Great day before I started heavy drinking in the hotel, then the drunk emotional Jennilyn came out, the next day the drive home was filled with a regretful Jen who said “I’m done drinking.” Which would calm the situation, but I would still be filled with sorrow and regret for how I acted….but I would repeat the process the next time we went away.

As it turns out, this trip to Gettysburg was my last trip where I overindulged and ruined the time. We did take another trip to Harper’s Ferry, less than a week from the start of my sobriety, but I was able to spread out my drinking, and that was a great trip. I guess I’m glad I ended on a high note?

Taking these walks down memory lane with my drinking have not been fun. Really diving deep into who I was, what I did, what I experienced, looking back and seeing how much I messed up is an uncomfortable experience. There have been a few times I’ve wanted to just toss the manuscript, let this book go. Thankfully, past Jen has written some things that have kept me going. Basically, past Jen exists to show how much work God has done in me. She exists to show that God is mighty and gracious. If I have to dig up my past to give God more glory, I’ll do it.

Now I think it’s high time Bret and I went back to Gettysburg so I can experience it sober. 🙂

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Day 2938 – What I Wish I Knew About Writing A Book When I Started

Posted on July 27, 2017 by 365 days of marriage

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a writer. I wrote a few stories, a bunch of poems, and journaled a lot. I’m so thankful that my younger self kept a journal like she did. It let’s me look back, and know where I’ve come from and how much I’ve changed. It wasn’t until I was grown that I knew I had to write a book. It took me SO long to write my first book.

I think most people have a book in them. I think that YOU have something to say. So what do I wish I knew? Here’s a few things, and hopefully, they will help you as you start (and FINISH) your book.

– You will start from scratch several times. That first time that you have to start from scratch is really difficult. It feels like you’ve wasted all this time, but it is needed in the process.

– Just write. Getting anything down on paper is a good exercise.

– You will think you’re done, but you are far from it. (Rinse and repeat this one)

– You will print out many, many drafts of your book.

– You need to love the editing process. You need to love ensuring that your words are having their desired impact.

– There are smarter people than you, use them. I’m SO glad I hired editors for my books. It brought my books to another level, and made them much more helpful.

– Reading continually will help you as a writer. I’ve gotten some great ideas, and received inspiration through the books I’ve read.

– Have a music playlist at the ready for your writing time. Classical music or soundtracks are my go to for this. In particular, I listen to a playlist of 40 cello classics.

– Have a set place you write, or at least a routine. It really helps to get your brain into writing mode.

– Don’t hold your words too tightly. You might think they’re beautiful and perfect, but they might not be clear. It helps to read your words out loud.

– Enjoy the whole process. Once you learn it, you won’t freak out when you have to start over, when you have to have your words chopped up, when you want to throw in the towel….again.

– And above all – keep writing.

When can I read YOUR book?

How do you like my editing pen?

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365daysofmarriage

Simplicity in Marriage, Christianity, Travel, Business, Life

Category Archives: Life

Day 2944 – How I Wrote A Book In Six Months – or – Eat The Elephant One Bite At A Time

Day 2941 – Paperback Book Day – or – 2017 Paperback Book Recommendations

Day 2939 – Getting Drunk In Gettysburg

Day 2938 – What I Wish I Knew About Writing A Book When I Started