Historical Fiction Author Jean Perry Discusses Research, Writing, & Perseverance

Our August author is Jean Perry.

Jean Perry has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from New York University and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), a retired elementary school teacher, and former reporter for the New York Daily News. Mozay of Pepperwick is historical fiction, loosely based on the story her aunt told her about her grandfather.

If you’d like to purchase a copy of Mozay of Pepperwick, you can find it here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey.

My writing journey began when, at age 9, I wrote a poem titled “My Rosary.” My sister said she didn’t believe I wrote it. But my mother, a secretary, typed it up. I gave it to a nun who was beyond pleased and shared with her Sisters.

Your book, Mozay of Pepperwick, is based loosely on the story your aunt told you about your grandfather – wow! How did you decide to take that story and turn it into a book?

After Alex Haley’s book and the television version of ROOTS, there was a mad dash to learn one’s ancestry. I questioned my Aunt Ann who told me my grandfather was chosen to be a valet and companion to a planter’s son and so received seven years of schooling.

She said, “He said he often knew the answers when his charge did not.”

The story grew from there. Attending a family reunion in South Carolina led me to return to do research in the University of South Carolina’s Caroliniana Library. If you go to my Mozay of Pepperwick page on Facebook, you will see the man upon whom I based the Mozay character - my grandfather, Moses Perry.

An aside – how thrilling it was to find his name mentioned in a book on the very first day I visited that library. Elloree Home I Love is also on my Mozay of Pepperwick page. A photograph shows many of my relatives including my father Nathaniel when he was about age two.

Kind of in that same vein, I’m curious: when you began writing, how did it feel knowing that much of it was true? Especially that someone in your not-too-distant family experienced the (or similar) people and places, and being a slave?

I admire my ancestors for living the best lives they could during slavery and segregation – doing the best they could with what they had.

Mozay’s voice is defined and articulate, but still relatable as you hear what he’s thinking. His voice is one of the reasons you want to know more about his life! How did you develop his voice?

I grew up in the ‘40’s and 50’s, eras where children did not speak unless spoken to. That gave me a high degree of listening comprehension. So my ear linked to the part of my brain that writes down what my own voice says.  I did not consciously aim to develop a voice.

I listen to myself and write down what God delivers. I experience this process as a download. I have to write fast and sloppy to get it down. I can compose on the computer but for more difficult, personal content I go long-hand.

Slavery and freedom are two main themes throughout the novel. How did you balance talking about some of the darker realities of slavery Mozay (and the other characters) experienced with the novel being middle grade?

It’s in the Middle Grade category, but to me its upper Middle Grade and up. I’ve had many positive responses from adults who’ve read the book.

Since the advent of Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games many adults started reading Young Adult books, and I just read somewhere that adults are choosing to listen to Middle Grade audio books. They are relatively short and easy to follow which, I guess, makes good company in the car.

What was your research process for the book? Since it’s based on real people and places, did that help your research?

I went to Columbia, South Carolina to the Caroliniana Library, the UCLA Library, and the USC Library. I researched online. One prompt led to another and I realized I could research forever, so I started confining my research to material I would use in the story.

If readers want to know more about Mozay, Pepperwick Plantation, or the other people and places in the book, do you have a good starting point of where they can look?

The book is historical fiction so there’s no Mozay and no Pepperwick. Readers interested in the life of slaves in 1850s South Carolina can use the resources in the References section of the book.

For those who want to visit plantations, South Carolina and other southern states offer tours. Research the state of your choice, using the prompt “tour plantations.”

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

Sit down and write. Buy a journal, keep it in the same place so you can find it, and jot down thoughts when they come to you. You don’t need complete sentences, or perfect grammar or spelling – just jot down whatever comes to mind.

Also use clippings or print outs from online research. Dissect books you like to learn about setting, timeline, protagonist, and antagonist. Figure out who wants what. Why? And who’s blocking them from reaching their goal?  What happens at the climax? At the crisis? At the resolution?

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

Procrastination was a big block for me. Once you start to write regularly, you build up a momentum that overcomes, or at least challenges, procrastination.

What is the part of your published work or writing process you’re most proud of?

Perseverance and momentum got me over the finish line. Oh, and saying no to perfection. That comes when you delete your “darlings” those beautiful sentences that add nothing to plot.

Do you have any new writing projects in the works? If so, would you tell us a little about them?

Yes, I have a draft, but I learned so much in writing and finishing Mozay of Pepperwick, that it isn’t very useful. Instead, I’m getting to know my lead character better and paying more attention to writing a plot outline that’s true to the story, while leaving room for my surprise downloads that occur without warning.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

Read! These books have helped me tremendously:

• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

• The Plot Whisperer & The Plot Whisperer Workbook by Martha Alderson

• On Writing by Stephen King

• This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Moseley

• Second Sight by Cheryl B. Klein

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about telling a story that’s near and dear to them, but isn’t quite sure they can do it?

You will never know your strengths and limitations until you try. So go forward and don’t stop until you have a fist draft. Do not keep returning to the beginning and fixing it.

It’s likely you won’t know what you’re writing until you finish. Once you have a draft, then read, consider joining a writers group, and take writing classes.

If you would like to purchase Jean Perry’s book, Mozay of Pepperwick, you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion here.

Interview with an Author: Alexandra Franzen

NOTE: This blog contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Our April author is Alexandra Franzen.

Alexandra Franzen is a writer, consultant, and entrepreneur based in Hawaii.

Her sixth book is The Checklist Book: Set Realistic Goals, Celebrate Tiny Wins, Reduce Stress and Overwhelm, and Feel Calmer Every Day. Other books include You’re Going to Survive and So This Is the End: A Love Story.

She has written articles for Time, Forbes, Newsweek, The Huffington Post, and Lifehacker. Her work has been mentioned in The New York Times Small Business Blog, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, and Inc.

She writes about a wide range of topics: life, love, death, grief, unplugging from technology, creativity, focus, productivity, simplicity, time–and how we spend it.

She is the founder of the Tiny Press, a publishing imprint specializing in very short books–100 pages or less. Tiny Press books include Say It Now by Sherry Richert-Belul (#1 Amazon New Release), Wishwork by Alexa Fischer (featured on Good Morning America), and Your Next Level Life by Karen Arrington (nominated for 2020 NAACP Image Awards, Outstanding Instructional Literary Work).

If you would like to purchase Alexandra’s book, The Checklist Book, you can find a copy here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

When I was a little kid, I had big clunky braces, bad eyesight, big glasses, and pretty severe asthma. I was also incredibly shy. Let’s just say, I was not drawn to sports and athletics! Haha. I loved quieter pursuits.

I loved going to the school library, reading, writing, and making up stories. I made my first “book” when I was about 7 or 8 years old—it was about flying unicorns, and I stapled it together in my dad’s office.

I’ve always loved the power of language.

I’ve always loved the power of language. To me, it’s incredible how you can have such an emotional impact on someone’s life just by saying the right words in the right order. Just one sentence can shift someone’s whole day.

I ended up majoring in English in college. My first job after graduation was at a media/radio broadcasting company. Later, I decided to jump into self-employment. I started my own company specializing in writing, publishing, and marketing services, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last 11 years.

Was there a certain point you remember where you felt empowered to call yourself a writer? Or have you always felt like you were a writer?

I still remember the very first time I got paid—actual, real money—for a writing project. It was back in college. I got a part-time job working at the university magazine.

At my school, the magazine got distributed weekly to about 20,000 students, professors, and folks in the local community, so getting published in the magazine felt like a big deal to me. It was exciting and also nerve-racking, knowing that thousands of people were going to read (and potentially criticize and judge) my writing every single week.

I remember feeling so much anxiety the night before my very first article got published.

Would people like what I wrote? What if they hate it? What if the editor fires me? Aiiyeedsfgisofgsgskfjgf.

I rushed to grab a copy the next morning. I still remember the rush of excitement I felt, seeing my name in print…in an actual magazine! It sent sparkles all through my body and I was grinning so hard my cheeks hurt.

That was the first moment when something clicked and I realized:

Huh, maybe this is a real ‘thing’ that I can do. Maybe writing can actually be my career path.

Your book, The Checklist Book, talks about your checklist method, The Franzen method. Could you talk a little about how and why you developed your own method?

You know how some people have a daily journaling practice, or a daily meditation practice? I have a daily checklist practice. It’s a daily ritual that keeps me feeling organized, calm, and powerful in this crazy chaotic world.

Every evening, I make a checklist for the next day. So, if it’s Thursday evening, that’s when I make my checklist for Friday. That way, when I wake up on Friday morning, my checklist for the day is already ready, done, sorted out ahead of time. Kind of like setting up your coffee maker the night before—it just feels so good! Like a little gift to your future self.

As I am making my checklist, I ask myself:

• What’s my main intention for tomorrow?

• What are the highest priority things that need to get done?

• How could I make tomorrow feel calm, peaceful, and joyful?

• What are some sweet, simple little ‘moments’ that I want to experience tomorrow?

My daily checklist includes things I want to accomplish (“finish the proposal and send it to Rachel”), and also, things I want to experience (“take a moment to enjoy your coffee and look at the dawn sky”).

It’s really important to include both—things you want to do, and things you want to experience, savor, and feel. To me, that’s the secret to creating a fulfilling and emotionally rich day. Often, we focus too much on the doing-doing-doing and we forget to just live.

I’ve been making a daily checklist for years, and I’ve come up with my own format and approach for doing it.

A couple years ago, I started showing my daily checklists to other people and the reaction was so interesting. Many people were like, “Show me how to make one.” “I want to do this, too.” “Can you make a template for me that looks like yours?”

That’s when I realized, almost accidentally,

Oh, I guess I have a unique way of making checklists. I have a ‘method’ that I could teach to other folks, and I didn’t even realize it!

There are 4 chapters of fun and interesting info before readers learn about the daily checklist. Tell us a little about your philosophy on how knowing yourself on an intimate personal level can help you make more effective check lists?

When you type out a checklist for your day, what you’re doing is setting a clear intention for your day.

You’re deciding, “These are my highest priorities. This is how I intend to spend my time. This is how I want my life to feel,” and you’re putting those intentions in writing—in a list format.

So, in order to make an excellent checklist, first, you need to know yourself deeply. You need to know your values and what you care strongly about.

When you type out a checklist for your day, what you’re doing is setting a clear intention for your day.

That’s why I start The Checklist Book with an exploration of some deep questions, like, “What does living a ‘good life’ mean to you?”

For instance, if you decide, “For me, living a good life means making a positive impact on my client’s lives, and it means laughing and playing with my kids, and it means connecting with nature,” then, you can plan your day accordingly and make a checklist that includes the things that matter most to you.

This isn’t complicated stuff. It’s pretty simple. Consider what matters strongly to you. Then, plan your day accordingly. It’s simple yet difficult, because often, we forget to slow down and actually do it. By creating a daily checklist habit, this gives you an opportunity to do this every day.

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

I’ve written around six books so far, some fiction, and some non-fiction. With each book, I usually start with a central question or idea that intrigues me.

For example: “What if you knew that you only had 24 hours to live? What would you do with your time?” That’s the central question that inspired me to write my novel, So This Is the End: A Love Story.

Or, an idea, like, “Making a daily checklist will change your life.”

Once I’ve got a clear question or idea, then I build out the book from there.

I always start with an outline, which is usually one page or less. It’s basically just a list (yes, huge shocking surprise, I love lists, haha!) of the main points I want to cover in the book.

I always start with an outline, which is usually one page or less. It’s basically just a list (yes, huge shocking surprise, I love lists, haha!)

Then I block out time to write. For me, blocking out 5 to 7 days is usually what I need in order to make serious progress on a book manuscript. I can usually pour out a first draft in that amount of time, and then refine from there. Of course, it depends on the book. Some books require research, interviewing, and gathering materials before the actual writing begins. And some don’t. Every project unfolds differently.

Ideally, I like to go somewhere—check myself into a hotel, or an Airbnb, somewhere where I can completely concentrate without all the distractions back at home.

Sometimes, I don’t have this luxury, so I need to just work with whatever I’ve got! For instance, I wrote most of The Checklist Book on my bedroom floor with my laptop, sitting cross-legged, using a low wooden bench as my temporary “desk.” I planted myself there because it was blazingly hot, and I wanted to be directly under a ceiling fan.

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

My biggest obstacle has been learning how to deal with criticism from readers and from complete strangers online.

I’m a very tender-hearted person. I feel things deeply. And, I deeply want to “do a good job” and make a positive impact on people’s lives. So, when I occasionally see a book review that says, “waste of money” or “not worthy of purchase” (these are actual things that have been posted online about my books) wow, it hurts. It rattles my confidence. Even if there are 48 positive reviews and only 2 negative ones, it’s the negatives ones that I fixate upon and replay in my head.

Over time, I’ve had to learn how to handle criticism gracefully and move on without letting it drag me down. I’m still learning. It does get easier over time.

What motivates you to keep writing?

Impact and connection with readers. I’m motivated by a desire to make an impact on people’s lives, in any way, big or small.

I’m motivated by a desire to make an impact on people’s lives, in any way, big or small.

When I get an email from someone saying, “Your book really helped me”…or…“Look, I used your book and I made a checklist!”…or…“I’ve been having a hard time lately, and the message you shared was just what I needed to hear”…whenever I get a note like that, it moves me deeply, and I feel motivated to keep writing.

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

 Often, I hear people say things like, “I am not a ‘real writer’ because I only write blog posts.” Or, “I only write a newsletter.” Or, “I only write children’s books.” “I only write short poems.” And so on.

You might feel like, somehow, your writing doesn’t matter and it’s not important. Like somehow, your project isn’t “big enough” to be worthy of praise and recognition.

Your style is valid and important and powerful.

Please remember tiny projects can create a big ripple effect. One blog post can touch thousands of lives. One 5-line poem can change someone’s whole day. A lovely children’s story can bring a family together at bedtime.

There are so many different kinds of writing projects. Not everyone feels called to write an 800-page novel and that’s okay! Do the projects that call to you.

Just like there are thousands of styles of music, there are thousands of styles of writing. There is room for your style. Your style is valid and important and powerful.

If you feel completely overwhelmed and you’re struggling to start—or finish—a writing project, have you considered making a checklist? It might help.

If you would like to purchase Alexandra Franzen’s book, The Checklist Book, you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion here.

Classics Series Book Review: Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

NOTE: This blog contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is widely known as a classic love story. However, if you read it as a love story, you’ll be sorely disappointed. It’s more a story of vengeance and love lost. The characters, including the ever important Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff are written to extremes. Their intense emotions finally lead to death and destruction.

Content & Message

This book is written as an embedded narrative, or a story within a story. It begins with a man, Lockwood, who is renting the house at Thrushcross Grange from Heathcliff who owns it and the house of Wuthering Heights. The housekeeper of Thrushcross, Nelly Dean, tells Lockwood the story of Heathcliff and Catherine after Lockwood has an encounter with Catherine’s ghost at Wuthering Heights. 

“And that minx, Catherine Linton, or Earnshaw, or however she was called - she must have been a changeling - wicked little soul! She told me she had been walking the earth these twenty years: a punishment for her mortal transgressions, I’ve no doubt!” - Lockwood, Wuthering Heights

As Nelly delves into the story, we learn that Heathcliff and Catherine were brought up together at Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff, having been brought in as an orphan by Catherine’s father, was treated horribly by Catherine’s older brother, Hindley Earnshaw. This is when Heathcliff’s deep resentment begins to grow. 

Catherine, though treated much better than Heathcliff, is a bit unhinged. She has dramatic fits when she doesn’t get her way, and has almost as bad, if not worse, manners than Heathcliff. They cling to each other throughout the story. Unfortunately for Heathcliff, he’s not “suitable” for her, having not been from an established family. Catherine marries someone else, Edgar Linton, even though she really loves Heathcliff.  

From here, Heathcliff only becomes more obsessed with revenge. Not only does he want vengeance against Hindley, but also Edgar for marrying the love of his life. He uses the children of each of them, and his own child, to exact revenge. Heathcliff becomes a horrific terror in this story. He ropes in innocent people, not caring about the trauma he is inflicting, so he can have his way. 

“Mr. Heathcliff dislikes me; and is a most diabolical man, delighting to wrong and ruin those he hates, if they give him the slightest opportunity.”

- Edgar Linton, Wuthering Heights

Edgar Linton does a great job encapsulating exactly what Heathcliff is: a diabolical man. There seems to be no redeeming qualities in Heathcliff. Every time he has a chance to make a better choice, he chooses to be cruel, vindictive, and abusive.

Biggest Takeaway

Heathcliff shows us the extreme of what can happen when someone is treated cruelly for their whole life.  It also shows us how, when someone is exposed to such treachery and neglect/abuse, they are often more easily manipulated. 

We see this most in Catherine’s daughter Cathy. Heathcliff manipulates her into marrying his own son, Linton, so he gets all of Edgar's property and wealth. The same manipulation Heathcliff uses on Cathy, including physical abuse, is also used on Linton.

Heathcliff shows us how far someone will go for the person they love, and how far someone will go to harm their enemies. He dug up Catherine’s grave because he was driven mad with grief and longing to be with her. And then he ruined the lives of those he hated because he had nothing else to live for. 

“Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad! only do not leave me in this abyss, where I cannot find you! Oh, God! It is unutterable! I cannot live without my life! I cannot live without my soul!”

- Heathcliff, Wuthering Heights

Overall Impressions

Emily Bronte does a great job at making the reader hate the main characters. Honestly, everyone in the story is cruel and dysfunctional in some way. The only characters I had any sympathy for were the children, Cathy, Linton, and Hareton, but even they manage to make me dislike them many times. 

I did feel sorry about Heathcliff’s upbringing, but who he ultimately became kind of destroyed that like he did everyone’s lives in the book. There was no reason for him to go all out, hell-bent on destroying lives, even of his enemy’s children. They were innocents and had nothing to do with the choices of their parents. 

As a love story, I was not impressed with how things played out. The “romance” between Catherine and Heathcliff was more of an unhealthy obsession. This is not a book I want to read again, and I’m not totally happy about the hours I spent on reading it the first time. 

If you are someone who likes to read into a book and analyze the deeper meaning, or the “classical” bit, then this is probably an okay read. Otherwise, it’s just frustrating and sad. 

Why Writers Need this Book

As a writer, it’s always interesting to read books that are considered “classics.” To discover what makes them so popular and what the author did right. Utilizing the book in that way, then maybe it’s worth reading for us writers.

I won’t say that writer’s need this book, because I myself didn’t enjoy it; however, there is something to be said about how extremely dislikable everyone is. There aren’t many writers who can make readers hate almost every character in the intense way Bronte does, so for that I have to give it props. 

You can get the book here. (Or here or here). Better yet, check your local library!

My challenge to you is to read the book and think about Heathcliff’s motivations.

Have you read the book? What did you think? What was your favorite part? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media or drop a comment below.

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great reading & writing. 

Book Review: You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero (2017)

NOTE: This blog contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

When you read You are a Badass at Making Money by Jen Sincero, you discover what’s been holding you back from making the money of your dreams, and how to achieve financial success. It shows you how to reset your mind and puts you in a good space to start making more money now. Sincero’s voice is delightful and instructive, and the book comes complete with chapter exercises, to help you figure out your own path to success. If you’re ready to start living the life you want, and making the money you dream of, this is a must read!

Content & Message

The premise of the book is that we need to change the way we think about money in order to start making money. A big component of creating a new money mindset is changing our inner monologue and the way we talk about money. 

We can easily swap negative phrases, like “Money is the root of all problems” or “Money doesn’t grow on trees” and replace them with more positive phrases, like “Money is great because it pays my bills!” or “Money is all around me.” 

This may seem like a hard sell on its own - after all, money doesn’t grow on trees, right? While that part is true, a positive money mindset and adding new language surrounding money can do a heck of a lot for attracting money into our lives. We need to believe these things that we’re saying for them to work. 

As Sincero says, it may seem weird or awkward to us at first, but when we keep repeating these affirmations, eventually it will be second nature and money will become more present in our lives.

 Worrying is praying for stuff you don’t want”(126). 

By focusing our thoughts on what we want instead of worrying about what we don’t, we can change how we view the world and opportunities will open up for us. 

Sincero also points out that it isn't enough to just say positive money mantras or affirmations, but we also need to think about them, and take actions to bring more money into our lives. One action we can do easily that Sincero offers as an exercise is place money around living space. Seeing money around us every day reminds us that it’s accessible and surrounds us, even when we can’t see the tangible proof.

In each chapter of the book, Sincero includes a success story of someone who has utilized the exercises she talks about in the chapter. The regular everyday people in the stories have succeeded in bringing money into their lives, which shows us that we, too, can be like Sincero and draw in an abundance of money - if we have the right mindset.

As hard as it is, we do have to remember to be patient, and while we can feel free to ask or attract for whatever our hearts desire, it may not come in the way we expect. We must be open to possibilities and change. Sincero discusses the fear of change and taking big risks that are bound to make us uncomfortable. 

It’s these risks that get us the biggest results, though, and we can rest assured that Sincero has been around the block more than once. It’s not her first rodeo, and we learn about the risks she took to get where she’s at today. Getting out of our comfort zone is the only way to live a better life, like the one of our dreams.

 We’ve been raised to believe that you have to work hard to make money...but the real secret is you have to take huge, uncomfy risks (9).

If you read this book, follow through with the exercises, and continue to keep up with them, money should, theoretically, begin to flow into your life. While it’s tempting to choose one or two new habits, try them out for a while, and give up when we see no results, the key to success is to create a habit. 

The key to money mindset and financial abundance - according to Sincero - is to utilize all the new habits. Each one is important to finding success. 

You can get rich too. You are mighty and magnificent beyond measure, grasshopper. You are meant to follow your desires. You are meant to blossom into the fullest expression of your unique and fantabulous badassery. You are meant to be rich (267).

Biggest Takeaway

Change starts within ourselves. If we aren’t willing to step out of our comfort zone, put in the work, and believe it’s possible, we won’t be able to change our lives and start making more money. 

Change your mind, change your life (208). 

There are many great exercises and ideas to help us with changing our old, money blocking mindset. For instance, listing your negative thoughts about money, figuring out where they came from, and rewriting new truths. 

If you really focus on doing the work and making the effort to change your mindset, this book will change your life.

Overall Impressions

This is an awesome book, not just because it teaches us a new way to think about money, but also because it changes the way we think. We can apply these lessons about money to all the areas of our lives. In fact, this isn’t her first book about mindset! Check out this review of Sincero’s first book You are a Badass (2013) to read more about her work (and get another major confidence boost). 

The book is set up logically, with the text of the chapter explaining the money making tactic followed by a success story and a set of exercises to complete. I love it! Taking in the information this way, I could immediately apply the ideas I just learned and put them to use. If it was just a text or just a workbook, it would be easy to let the reading fall forgotten into the shadows.

Why Writers Need this Book

Instills Confidence & Capability.

Jen Sincero is a writer and talks about how she was able to make money freelancing. Now she’s a multimillionaire who’s world renown for her coaching and writing. It goes to show that we all start somewhere - even the wealthiest and most famous among us! It also applies directly to us writers who haven’t yet hit the big time, which makes it feel less overwhelming to apply in our own lives. 

After all, if she can do it, so can we, right? 

In resetting our thoughts about money, we can also work on resetting our thoughts about our writing. Confidence can flow freely through our lives just as easily as money. 

Manifests Abundance.

Sincero discusses Universal Intelligence (also known as God and other life forces around us - whatever belief system you live by) and how we can shape our own realities. We can continually put into the universe - through thoughts, words, and actions - what we desire most. If we believe it and work hard for it, it will eventually become our reality. 

For example, as writers we can say “I am going to sell (#) books this week.” We write it down, repeat it in our mind, truly believe we can do it, put in the work to market our book, and it will come to fruition. The key is that we can’t just sit around waiting for things to happen, we need to make moves to help the universe bring about what we want.

Next Steps

There are a few steps to take next: 

1. Get the book here. (Or here). Better yet, check your local library.

2. Read the book & do the exercises

3. Start utilizing your new money mindset.
   

My challenge to you is to read this book and commit to trying a new money mindset.

Have you read this book? Did you complete the exercises? Which proved most useful to you? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media or drop a comment below.

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great reading & writing.

Classics Series Book Review: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

NOTE: This blog contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Trigger warning: sexual assault

Overview 

Alice Walker’s The Color Purple is a classic in American literature and when you read it, it’s not hard to figure out why. The tale of Celie, who’s married off to an older man at a very young age in the deep South, and her sister Nettie who goes off to be a missionary in Africa is at once heart wrenching and eye-opening. It’s a true tale of survival and making the best of hardship. It’s also about love, not just between partners and sisters, but love for yourself and how hard that can be.  

Content & Message

Written entirely in the epistolary style - writing in the form of letters - Celie initially writes to God. Her faith is unwavering despite being 14 years old and having been raped by the town doctor and gotten pregnant. By the time she’s 20, she’s had two babies, but she’s not allowed to keep them. 

She’s married at 20 to a man, Mr. _____, who takes months to decide if he wants her because “She ain’t fresh,” “She spoiled. Twice,” and “She ugly” (7-8). The immediate reaction is one of incredible want to free her of the situation she’s in that really doesn’t have an escape. At least not for many years. 

In the end, Celie is happy. I won’t spoil it, but the book ends in a way that feels good for Celie

Meanwhile, her younger sister, Nettie, leaves for a mission trip in Africa with a couple named Samuel & Corrine. The letters are now for Nettie. The couple takes care of her, and she writes to Celie often - except Mr. _____ hides the letters and makes Celie believe Nettie has abandoned her, or worse, died. It isn’t until famous musician Shug Avery comes to town - and falls in love with Celie - that they learn of Mr. _____’s treachery. 

Celie finds years of letters from her sister, and it’s at this point that she decides she’s going to leave to be with Shug. She finally has an escape, and the love she’s always longed for. With Shug, and their life together in Shug’s big house, Celie can finally think about herself and learn to love herself. Shug even helps Celie begin a small sewing business - pants for women. Celie writes letters to God and Nettie. 

In the end, Celie is happy. I won’t spoil it, but the book ends in a way that feels good for Celie: “I don’t think us feel old at all. And us so happy. Matter of fact, I think this is the youngest us ever felt” (288). 

Biggest Takeaway

The most powerful thing about this book is Celie’s story of her experience as a young black woman in the South. It’s not set in the present-day, as there are clear mentions about segregation throughout, but hearing about all the terrible things that happened in her life, in her words, makes the book tremendously moving. 

Not only does Celie grapple with her own trauma, but she also has to navigate life experiences and her faith. Walker is a masterful storyteller, and this book tells an important story not just about one woman, but about how being African American, and a woman on top of that, was - and still remains - a complicated business far too often. 

Overall Impressions

I love The Color Purple. I’ve read it at least 3-4 times, and while I won’t say it’s an easy read (because it’s not) I keep going back to it over and over again because Walker so fully captures the voices and experiences of Celie & Nettie. 

From the first page, the reader begins to feel the scope of Celie’s tragedies in her own voice. I love epistolary novels and this remains one of the best examples I can think of to represent how powerful first person voice can be in a novel. 

This book is a hard read, but a necessary one.

The topics and ideas are also important, even if they’re hard to read about. The book isn’t hard in the sense of academic language or long sentences (like many other classic books), but hard in the mental & emotional sense. It’s hard to read about these experiences knowing that real people lived like this - and not just one person, either. For the same reasons it’s hard to read, it’s a book that must be read. 

For many of us in the modern day world, this book is a reminder that reality isn’t the same for everyone, and despite the many ways we’ve moved forward, not that many years ago public places were still segregated & Jim Crow laws were very much a part of everyday life. Not that many years ago it was still legal to discriminate against people based on race and gender. 

This book is a hard read, but a necessary one. It’s beautifully written, and I think you’ll find that when you pick it up, you’ll keep turning page after page because you just have to know: what’s going to happen next? And how in the world can this woman survive, let alone have a happy ending?

Why Writers Need this Book

If you’re a writer, you need to read this book not just because of the way the book handles heavy themes and ideas with grace & clarity, but also because the language is incredible. You’ll be transported into Celie’s world, and that’s the ultimate goal of a book, but especially an epistolary style book. 

The letters aren’t written in “proper English” as we usually think but in Celie’s voice as she would speak to you in a normal conversation - up to and including very direct language about bodies and love and faith. 

Next Steps

There are a few steps to take next: 

1. Get the book here. (Or here or here). Better yet, check your local library! Easy peasy.

2. Read the book & take it in. 

My challenge to you is to read the book and think about the voices being represented.

Have you read the book? What did you think? What was your favorite part? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media or drop a comment below.

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great reading & writing. 

Book Review: The Poison Factory - Operation Kamera by Lucy Kirk (2020)

Overview

Lucy Kirk and her book The Poison Factory are a prime example of the magic that can happen when we write what we know. After spending more than three decades working in the CIA, Kirk knows the ins and outs. Her focuses during her time at the CIA were the USSR and post-Soviet Russia - topics she addresses in The Poison Factory (TPF). 

Her main character in TPF, Decktora Raines, is a woman on leave from the CIA, also having worked with a focus on Russia. Knowing Kirk’s history, we feel confident knowing her depiction of this character and the CIA will be accurate and informational. All that’s left for us to worry about is - what’s going to happen next?

Content & Message

We are brought into the story with an introduction to Decktora Raines as she lounges on her couch on a summer day. Her life partner, Alex, also a member of the CIA, has been missing for a year, and she has been helpless in the attempts to locate him and his missing colleagues. This is not Raines’ main mission, though. As it turns out, a former Russian defector she helped transfer to London reaches out to her when he believes his life is in danger. Cue our introductions to the other main characters. 

We meet Sergei Dumanovskiy, the Russian defector who contacts Raines, and Detective Chief Inspector Cransford Garvin, who is brought it by the murder of another Russian defector. Soon after, we meet Senior British Intelligence officer Jason Drake, who connects the dots between the murder and the Russian affilation. 

While in London,  people connected to Raines are murdered, and she begins to wonder if she’s in over her head. Thankfully, she has a whole host of people standing behind her from the CIA, but that doesn’t stop the doubts and fears that settle in:

“‘I wish there were no connection to me’...’Wish again, my friend. There are no ruby slippers in this game, as you well know.’” (181).

As any good story has, there are fearsome villains.  The villains of this story are introduced early on, and so it isn’t so much a matter of who-dun-it, but will they catch the bad guys? Ivanchukov and Olga are originally from Russia, and they have a score to settle with the Russian defectors who once worked for a company in Russia. Olga is a puppet being controlled by the master, Ivanchukov. She commits the murders that take place while Raines is in London, using a claw and poison to ensure her victim’s deaths. 

What I love about any story is a villain with a good backstory. I’m sure many of us would agree: the backstory is what makes the villain and determines whether they are truly evil, or simply misunderstood. In this case, the villains are evil, with a sprinkle of misunderstood. The backstories for Olga and Ivanchukov encourage empathy for them and how they wound up in their current situation, but it doesn’t justify their actions.
The interesting thing is how Kirk is able to write this story while also staying in line with the processes of the CIA. Though the character Raines is on leave, she still must follow all of the CIA protocol when it comes to her visit to London to check in with Dumanovskiy. Kirk has a great way of explaining the protocols and processes without the book feeling like she’s teaching rather than telling a story. I never felt bogged down by the details.

Biggest Takeaway

The biggest takeaway from this story would have to be that sometimes it’s hard to make all the right decisions. Especially when you are limited by your job, and/or the people around you. Decktora Raines stood by her firm belief that Segei Dumanovskiy deserved safety after everything he’d been through, and she did everything in her power to ensure that he remained unharmed. 

Unfortunately, there were other casualties along the way, but it’s important to remember not to blame yourself for the actions of others. It was Olga who murdered the people in London, but Raines and Dumanovskiy still felt the burden of blame:

“...now we both felt guilty, and there was no bandage that would instantly take away the pain for either of us.” (235).

Overall Impressions

I was drawn to this book by the CIA aspect. I am a big fan of Criminal Minds, so I was intrigued to read a crime novel. Though it is not exactly a crime novel, it does have a similar structure and feel. It’s actually classified as a mystery and suspense thriller. 

In the first few pages, the book sucks you in with a mysterious package, a murder, and a host of dynamic characters. It was a quick read and kept you wanting to read and learn more.

Why Writers Need this Book

Whether it’s your favorite genre or not, this book is a great example for writers to show how to effectively use what you know to enhance a story. As writers, when we know what we’re talking about- and really know, not just a quick listicle you read on the internet - it makes the writing process smoother for the writer & reader.

If you’re writing a novel about the CIA, for example, it’s important that you know a lot about the topic and everything surrounding it, or else you may convey incorrect depictions. In fantasy this isn’t much of a concern, but with realistic fiction such as The Poison Factory, accuracy is a must.

Next Steps

There are a few steps to take next: 

1. Get the book here. (Or here or here). Better yet, check your local library! Easy peasy.

2. Read the book & take it in. 

3. Start utilizing what you already know in your writing! Think of some ideas or topics that you have either researched, or experienced that you could use to enhance your own writing.  

My challenge to you is to pinpoint the areas Lucy Kirk most effectively utilized her prior knowledge to better the story as you read.

Have you read the book? What did you think? What was your favorite part? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media or drop a comment below.

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great reading & writing. 

14 Books that Make Great Secret Santa Gifts

The holiday season is almost here! Soon it will be cold and we’ll be thinking about feasting at Thanksgiving and gift giving for Christmas. 

In preparation of the busy season (or if you’re an early shopper like me), I put together a list of some great books to give your Secret Santa this year - assuming they like to read! 

There’s a little something for everyone - Non-Fiction, Fiction, & Journals. As a writer & reader, I can vouch for all of these books! Some of them I’ve even done full book reviews on. 

“The trick to finding a great Secret Santa gift book is to keep it interesting to the person you’ll be giving it to & away from polarizing topics”

The trick to finding a great Secret Santa gift book is to keep it interesting to the person you’ll be giving it to & away from polarizing topics (like war, politics, etc.) unless you intimately know what their beliefs are. I try to focus on uplifting & books with a positive vibe, but that’s completely up to you! If your Secret Santa loves to have a good cry, by all means, get them a sappy story. 

Ultimately, there are always more choices - but these are some great picks to get you started!

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NON-FICTION

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You are a Badass - Jen Sincero

Brief summary: The full title of this book is You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life. As the title implies, Sincero helps the reader step-by-step to figure out what’s holding them back, how to create a brand new badass mindset, and what to do with that new mindset.  You can read a full review here.

Why it’s a good pick: You might guess from the sunshine yellow cover that this book radiates positivity, and you’d be right. It only gets better as you read it! Unlike many self-help books, there is nothing implied about needing to “fix” yourself and it doesn’t preach at you. It’s all about learning, accepting, and growing. This book changes mindset, and can literally impact someone’s life in the best way - I know it did for me. I’m waiting with baited breath for a chance to give this as a gift. 

Who would love this book?: Anyone would enjoy this book, especially people who are looking for a positive kick in the pants positive attitude. 

Note: There is swearing, so it’s not necessarily for young readers.

Buy It Here

Everything is Figureoutable - Marie Forleo

Brief summary: Forleo’s little phrase “Everything is Figureoutable” is making big waves for people everywhere. Her goal is to show readers that “the power isn’t out there, it’s in you.” Forleo uses her own experiences and those of other figureoutable success stories from all over the world to show that you can figure out anything that comes up in your life - even if it’s the worst of the worst. You can read a full review here.

Why it’s a good pick: This was the first “self-help” book I read - I preordered it actually, because I was taking a webinar with Marie and she’s magnetic. I never once read a self-help book before this, and in fact, I kind of scoffed at them. They’re lame, right? WRONG. This book. Seriously. It’s a game-changer for anyone who reads it & actually does the work. It literally shows you how to be a better & more positive you. I have given it as a gift more than once!

Who would love this book?: People who dislike self-help books, anyone who’s wants to be their best self without changing who they are, & anyone who’s ready to take action to make their dreams come true (even if they don’t know where to start)

Note: There is swearing, so it’s not necessarily for young readers. 

Buy It Here

Educated - Tara Westover

Brief Summary: This is a memoir, so Westover is telling about her life growing up in a survivalist Mormon household in Idaho. When she’s 17 she goes to college - setting foot in a classroom for the first time ever. Westover’s is a tale of incredible self-discovery and growth despite tremendous odds. It shows the interesting dynamics of a family lifestyle that most people only see on TV. Most of all, it shows perseverance and strength. You can read a full review here.

Why it’s a good pick: Even though it’s a memoir, Educated reads like a novel - one that you won’t want to put down. The subject is fascinating, and Westover’s voice is powerful. It’s even more powerful when you understand that this woman, who is only in her mid-30s, went through it all. It’s definitely a more serious read, but still feels positive and hopeful. 

Who would love this book?: People who love a powerful story, educators, people who support education, people who love to learn about cultures & beliefs different than their own, people who love a good underdog story

Buy It Here

The Devil in the White City - Erik Larson

Brief Summary: The full title of this book is The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. Larson weaves the tale of multiple important members of history. Arguably, the most “thrilling” story is that of H.H. Holmes who is thought to be one of America’s first serial killers. 

That being said, there are a number of other stories intertwined, such as architect Daniel Hudson Burnham who built many famous buildings across the U.S. & directed the World’s Fair in Chicago in 1893. Larson paints a pretty comprehensive picture of the time and goings-on during a very exciting & innovative time in American history. 

Why it’s a good pick: Larson is an amazing writer and historian. He writes history that reads like a novel and makes it exciting. The people come alive and you’re, at once, wondering how no one has caught this madman yet (H.H. Holmes), but entranced by the fact that the world around him is just building the first Ferris Wheel (thought impossible at the time) and getting electric lighting. It’s a good story, but it’s also an interesting learning experience. Larson has many other books, too, so when your Secret Santa loves the book, they’ll have plenty more to read!

Who would love this book?: People who love history, people who love serial killers & creepy murderers, people who are interested in architecture, people who are interested in invention & inventing, people who are into the darker parts of history, people who are from Chicago or Indiana

Note: This book depicts some creepy & gruesome elements

Buy It Here

Half Broke Horses - Jeanette Walls

Brief Summary: Walls tells the tale of her spunky and incredibly strong grandmother, Lily Casey Smith. From breaking horses with her father on the ranch at 6 years old to leaving home at 15 and riding 500 miles alone with her horse to be a schoolteacher on the western frontier, Lily exhibits an incredible outlook on life for someone who has survived so much hardship. 

Why it’s a good pick: I guess there’s a theme here for historical books that read like novels! If you’ve read any of Walls’s other books (like The Glass Castle), you know she has a very unique voice that’s just so good at telling stories. This book feels like the incredible story your grandma told you when you were little that you never wanted to end. Not only is there an element of history, but Lily’s sheer willpower and strength makes you want to stay till the end just to find out what happens.

Who would love this book?: People who like history, people who are interested in American history & the frontier, people who are interested in survival during hardship stories, people who like strong heroines, people who enjoy strong female characters, people who like learning

Buy It Here

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FICTION

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The Enlightenment of Bees - Rachel Linden

Brief Summary: Mia West, an apprentice baker, has her life planned out. Except she didn’t plan to lose her apprenticeship or her fiance. Not quite knowing what else to do, Mia goes on a humanitarian trip with her friend and roommate Rosie. She sees the world in a new way, and starts to understand that sometimes the small things - the things we love - can have a big impact in the world. Oh, and a little romance, of course.

Why it’s a good pick: This book is a delight. It’s light and positive, but it has the depth to question what we really want in life through Mia’s journey around the world. On the surface it may seem like a simple romance, or a journey to self-discovery. To an extent it is both of those things. But it’s also about the world - how we see it and how we learn from it. Completely unexpected and fun. 

Who would love this book?: People who like travel, people who like baking, people who like romance, people who like humanitarian work, people who like unexpected twists, people who love to fall into a good book, people who like learning about the world, people who like thinking about and changing their perspective

Buy It Here

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

Brief Summary: Marco & Celia: marked as magical competitors from an early age, but never saw each other until adulthood. A black and white circus that only opens at night, and moves around at will, appearing as suddenly as it disappears. A challenge - the “game” - that can only be won by a single competitor...or can it?

Why it’s a good pick: This book has a little bit of everything: mystery, intrigue, romance, magic, and a fascinating magical circus! Morgenstern has a talent for words, and this book will draw anyone in who loves a little bit of a mystery. Morgenstern creates a magical world that we’d all like to live in - not too outlandish, but interesting enough to keep us wanting to know more. 

Who would love this book?: People who like magic, people who like mystery, people who like intrigue, people who like romance, people who like games & challenges on an epic scale, people who like books, people who like magical worlds

Buy It Here

Peyton Place - Grace Metalious

Brief Summary: Peyton Place is the story of Allison MacKenzie - a small town New Hampshire girl that longs to be a writer. Because of the small town culture, expectations, and her own mother, Constance MacKenzie, she finds herself stifled. 

Why it’s a good pick: Throughout the novel, Metalious writes of things heretofore unheard of - illicit sex, drunkenness, incest, secret lives, and more - that happen in small towns everywhere. But when it was published in 1956, people just didn’t talk about those things. It was a mega-hit, becoming a TV series and film. Suffice it to say, it’s juicy!

Who would love this book?: People who like reality television, people who love drama, people who are interested in the goings on in their town or city, people who like rebellious women, people who are interested in knowing more about small towns or are from a small town, people who like scandal, people who have heard of the book and/or TV series & movie, people who like tabloid magazine

Note: There is a lot of mature content, so this book definitely isn’t for young readers.

Buy It Here

The Look of Love - Sarah Jio

Brief Summary: Jane Williams is a florist, and on an average day, feels like her life is pretty boring. It’s just her and her dog Sam. But what Jane doesn’t know is that the mysterious “eye problem” she’s had since she was a little girl is actually a gift - the gift of being able to see love in all its various forms. When she turns 29, a mysterious stranger sends her on a life-changing adventure that she must complete before her 30th birthday. Will she be able to find true love for herself - before it’s too late?

Why it’s a good pick: This book is just plain fun. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or not (I’m not and I still loved the book), the way Jio weaves the story is enchanting. It’s a completely different look at love as we know it. 

Who would love this book?: People who like romance, people who like happy endings, people who like falling into a good book, people who want to read but who want it to feel easy, people who live in the Seattle area, people who like a little mystery but not too much, people who love love

Buy It Here

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JOURNALS

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Affirm Your Life - Becca Anderson

Brief Summary: The full title of this book is Affirm Your Life: Your Affirmations Journal for Purpose & Personal Effectiveness. This cute little journal is literally about bringing positivity to your life. It’s based on Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and has areas where you can do some soul-searching and personal development. 

Why it’s a good pick: First of all, this book is pretty! Like, physically pretty in the way it’s designed. It’s also not overwhelmingly large. At just over 150 pages, it is something that can easily be carried and filled in without feeling like you have a brick in your bag. It’s awesomely positive, and teaches strategies you can keep using while still feeling good about it. 

Who would love this book?: Writers, small business owners, creatives, artists, people who like writing, people who like journaling, people who like and/or are working on personal development, people who enjoy introspection, people interested in self-growth

Buy It Here

The  Checklist Book - Alexandra Franzen

Brief Summary: This handy book isn’t just full of lists for you to fill in - it actually teaches you how to make effective lists to organize your life! Even if you’re someone who already uses a lot of lists, Franzen provides interesting facts & history about checklists, as well as the how-to aspect. Did you know there’s actually science about checklists? I didn’t! But Franzen did, thank goodness.

Why it’s a good pick: As someone who is probably unusually organized in most ways, it just makes sense to me that anyone would want to read more about lists. Then I think, not everyone is quite as obsessed as I am. Hah! This is still a good pick because it’s fun and useful - and unlike a true “journal,” it’s part book, part activity, and all around helpful.

Who would love this book?: People who like lists, people who thrive off of achieving, people who are super organized, people who aren’t very organized, people who are interested in organization, people who like learning, people who are overwhelmed or have large to-do lists

Buy It Here

You Should be Writing - Brenda Knight & Nita Sweeney

Brief Summary: The full title of this book is: You Should be Writing: A Journal of Inspiration & Instruction to Keep Your Pen Moving. This journal has plenty of space and inspiration to get your creativity kick started. And a few tips & tricks, of course.

Why it’s a good pick: If you’ve been around many writers, you’ve probably heard the term “I should be writing” or seen a prominent post-it note or meme that says, “You should be writing.” Actually, starting & keeping a writing routine is the hardest thing for many writers! So this book is a great and thoughtful way to help someone out.

Who would love this book?: Writers, journalers, creatives, people who like writing, people who like creating but are stuck

Buy It Here

Overcoming Creative Anxiety - Karen C.L. Anderson

Brief Summary: The full title of this book is: Overcoming Creative Anxiety: Journal Prompts & Practices for Disarming Your Inner Critic & Allowing Creativity to Flow. This journal takes a deep dive into the inner critic & how you can change the way you interact with it. 

Why it’s a good pick: Everyone’s got an inner critic! Some of us are good at controlling it, but it’s hard, especially, it seems, for creatives and writers. I’ve written about it before, but this journal goes even deeper into how it makes you feel, the ways you can talk to it, and how to strengthen what Anderson calls your inner advocate. Very uplifting! 

Who would love this book?: Writers, creatives, artists, people who want to create more but are afraid, people who struggle with a mean inner critic, people who like journaling, people who like writing, people who want to do some personal growth & development

Buy It Here

The 52 Lists Project - Moorea Seal

Brief Summary: This fun journal gives a journal prompt/list for each week of the year. It’s broken down into the 4 seasons, and each season has prompts relevant to the time of year. For instance, the first list of the journal is “List your goals and dreams for this year.”

Why it’s a good pick: A journal can be a really thoughtful gift, especially for the people in your life you know enjoy writing or sharing their feelings. The major perk of this journal is that it already has areas for each week of the year, so there’s less pressure to do it “correctly” or fill it in however you like. You simply open it up and it’s ready to go!
Who would love this book?: Writers, artists, creatives, anyone who likes to journal, anyone who likes lists, anyone who is introspective, anyone who is working on personal development

Buy It Here

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NEXT STEPS

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1. Look at the books for potential gift ideas - Don’t be shy! Check out Amazon, go to your local library and read a little of it. See how you feel about it before you decide. 

2. Figure out what your Secret Santa is interested in - Before you pick something, make sure to think about what your Secret Santa will like. If they’re not a writer, they may not want a journal that shows them how to overcome creative anxiety. Or if they like reading lighter books that they don’t want to think too much about, a heavier memoir or non-fiction book might not be the best pick. 

3. Buy the book(s) & get ahead of the game! - Use the links above or Google where you can pick up a copy of the book. You’ll be done before you even started thinking about it last year!

My challenge to you is to start thinking about what the people in your life like to read or learn about now instead of a month or 6 weeks from now. 

Given a Secret Santa book before? How’d it go? Did I miss a “must have”?  I’d love to hear from you! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com!

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great gift giving. 

Book Review: Educated by Tara Westover (2018)

Overview

Tara Westover’s powerful memoir, Educated, is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It challenges what many of us think we know not just about Mormon beliefs, but also religion in general. Above all, it makes you think about the way we see our lives, as well as others, and how becoming aware of other perspectives can literally change your life. 

Content & Message

Unlike many of the book reviews I’ve done recently, this book is not a self-help guide. It’s a memoir with 3 parts, which signal major shifts in Westover’s life. 

The first part brings readers through the young years and the ideology Westover grew up believing as the ultimate truth. It details her tumultuous and dangerous relationship with her father and brothers, as well as a strained relationship with her mother. At the end of the section, Westover is preparing to leave for Brigham Young University as a 17-year-old who has never been in a classroom. 

During the second part, readers learn about Westover’s college years. She has extreme struggles due to her lack of prior education. For example, in her first History class, she asked what the Holocaust was and everyone thought she was making an inappropriate joke even though she’d never heard of it. She also struggled because her parents always upheld strictly anti-medical establishment beliefs. 

Until she went away to college, she never considered that her father’s beliefs were anything but normal, and in this section we see her mind opening up to the possibility that there are other valid ways to live. At the end of the section, Westover is graduating as an outstanding undergraduate and preparing to go to grad school at Cambridge University in the United Kingdom (UK). 

The haunting image of Westover’s father’s fear stays with us as we head into the final section:

“If you’re in America,’ he’d whispered, ‘we can come for you. Wherever you are. I’ve got a thousand gallons of fuel buried in the field. I can fetch you when the end comes, bring you home, make you safe. But if you cross the ocean…’”

— Gene* Westover (Tara's Father)

“If you’re in America,’ he’d whispered, ‘we can come for you. Wherever you are. I’ve got a thousand gallons of fuel buried in the field. I can fetch you when the end comes, bring you home, make you safe. But if you cross the ocean…’” 

In the third part of the memoir, Westover tells of her time during grad school, the terrible accident that almost killed her father, and what would seem to be the ultimate family feud. Through lies and betrayal, Westover’s pain is palpable on the page and the only thing you can do is to keep reading to find out what ultimately happens. 

I won’t tell you the outcome, so as not to give a huge spoiler (I hate that), but I’ll say this: there was never a “winning” solution, as it often happens with messy family divides. Westover made the best decisions she could to become her own person and forged her own path to safety and success. 

Biggest Takeaway

There are so many lessons we can learn from this incredible story, but I think the biggest of them all is that anything is possible.

Sometimes we have to make decisions that others don’t approve of or like to get to the places we want to go - even sacrifices - but there are possibilities around every corner. 

“Sometimes we have to make decisions that others don’t approve of or like to get to the places we want to go”

Overall Impressions

Ever since this book came out in 2018 it has been on my “To Read” list for the sheer intrigue of the thing. Reading non-fiction has become a new interest of mine, but as an educator and someone who highly values and advocates for education, I was immediately drawn to it, even before I read the jacket cover blurb.

When I started it, I couldn’t put it down.

I read all 334 pages probably within the span of about a week that involved many late nights where I had to force myself to close the book and go to sleep. Part of the draw was, undoubtedly, the marked difference between Westover’s experience and mine.

It was wild envisioning the world her words created, and then to know that they’re all true! Seeing the tenuous family bonds and the raw look into the end days prepper ideology was truly fascinating in a way that made me really consider what I believe and why. 

I think my favorite part is the prose itself. I find Westover’s voice magnetic. It’s not overly fancy or academic, which I thoroughly appreciated. It’s open, honest, and incredibly vulnerable, which are all things I look for in non-fiction because how can you write an honest memoir without them?

My long-time anticipation for reading this book was heartily fulfilled and it way exceeded what I could have hoped for. Westover will definitely be near the top on the list of authors I eagerly hope for more writing from sometime soon. 

Why Writers Need this Book

As a writer myself, this book is an amazing example of how powerful words can be. 

“It’s important to read from all genres when you’re a writer because it strengthens the way in which you can use your own words.”

It’s important to read from all genres when you’re a writer because it strengthens the way in which you can use your own words. It shows you what others have done, and allows your creativity to wander and consider what else could be done - what you could do. 

The memoir also does an excellent job of showing that you don’t necessarily need to use “fancy” language to write a great book. Seriously. There are times when “$5 words” work really well, but not if you don’t normally use them in that way. 

There is no point during the entire memoir where it feels like Westover is uneducated or less intelligent because she uses clear and simple language. It’s much better to write clearly and expressively than to clog up the ideas with words that make everything feel disjointed. 

Next Steps

There are a few steps to take next: 

1. Get the book here. (Or here or here). Better yet, check your local library! Easy peasy.

2. Read the book & take it in. 

3. Start telling your own story. If you read the book and are fired up to tell your story (go you!), go for it! Memoir isn’t the only way to tell your story, so don’t be afraid to get creative. 

If you need some help getting started, or figuring out how to organize your ideas, I can help, too! I work with writers just like you on planning, strategy, and accountability. Because I’m also a confidence coach, I will empower you and encourage you every step of the way. If you’re intrigued or READY TO GO, you can click here to read more about working with me. Let’s get your story out into the world! 

My challenge to you is to consider your own beliefs and story as you read this book.

Have you read the book? What did you think? What was your favorite part? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com!

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great writing.