What I Learned After Writing My Memoir (And What You Will Too)
When we write memoir, we often begin with a clear intention: to make sense of our lives, to share our truth, to process, to preserve, to pass something meaningful on.
But memoir is never just for us.
Recently, I taught a free masterclass called The Memoir Blueprint, where I introduced a 3-step framework for writing a purposeful, powerful memoir. One of the key steps? Knowing who you’re writing for.
But here’s the beautiful twist: you never fully know who your story will touch, or how deeply.
After publishing my memoir, Accidental First Lady: On the Front Lines (and Behind the Scenes) of Local Politics, I discovered something powerful: readers took away messages and meaning I hadn’t set out to teach—but that were embedded in the truth of my lived experience.
And your story will do the same.
Here are 7 lessons my readers shared back with me—reminders that even the quietest stories hold transformative power.
1. You Don’t Have to Be the Loudest Voice to Be Heard
My influence during my husband's political career didn't come from a podium. It came from private moments, whispered wisdom, and steady presence. Power can be quiet. And quiet can still make waves.
2. Supporting Someone Else’s Dream Doesn’t Mean Losing Your Own
I stood beside my husband for two decades of public service. But somewhere along the way, I had to ask: what about my voice? Readers told me this lesson cracked something open in them. Maybe it will for you, too.
3. Private Battles Deserve as Much Honor as Public Victories
Campaign wins make headlines. Surviving cancer and self-doubt? Those battles shape our souls. I wrote about them because I needed to, and readers saw themselves in those pages.
4. Resentment Is a Signal, Not a Character Flaw
Buried resentment is not weakness. It's a whisper—sometimes a scream—that your boundaries are begging to be honored. Writing about mine gave readers permission to honor theirs.
5. Reinvention Is Always on the Ballot
Your next chapter isn’t something to wait for—it’s something you write. Readers in midlife told me my story gave them the green light to start over.
6. Boundaries Are Acts of Love—Not Rebellion
Saying "no" doesn’t mean you’re unkind. It means you’re finally including yourself in your own care.
7. Your Story Is Worth Telling—Even If You Didn’t Ask for the Spotlight
I never sought fame. But life nudged me toward the mic, and I chose not to dim myself anymore. If you’ve ever thought, Who am I to write a book? —let this be your answer: you’re the only one who can write your story.
Memoir is a gift you give others, even if you write it for yourself. It's a mirror, a message, and a map for someone else to follow. Your lived experience can be someone else's life raft.
Writing your memoir is not just a creative act—it’s an act of courage. And it’s worth every tear, doubt, and late-night writing session.
That’s why I created Make Memoir Magic — a step-by-step course designed to guide aspiring authors from idea to manuscript, with weekly coaching and a community that’s been where you are.
And right now, I’m offering a limited-time $200 summer discount to help you start your memoir with confidence.
If you're ready to go from someday to start today, I’d love to walk this road with you. Because writing your story isn’t selfish.
It’s service. It’s legacy. It’s magic.
You were there the whole time. Now it’s your turn to speak.
Click here to enroll in Make Memoir Magic and take $200 off now.