Book client Joy McManigal has led a varied life from owning a pub in Ireland, working in the movie business, facing bankruptcy, and raising four daughters with celebrity Giancarlo Esposito. All of her life’s twists and turns landed her on the decision to write a book that would help young people dodge some of the pitfalls she encountered. Young adults have a lot to overcome and learn, including doubting themselves in today’s hyper critical society on social media. Their path will be one of a Good Life if they can discern their values, mission and purpose - tools rarely taught in high school or even college. Her new book, The Good You, was written to press the concept of Help not Hurt out in the world for young adults. She gives four key pillars to look at why you are motivated to make choices in your young life.
We talk about the creative process she went through and how exhilarating it feels to write a book. Her moment when she knew she had to write this book came in a dinner conversation when friends were expressing they were struggling with their kids and they asked her, “Why are your kids not so messed up?’ She understood all her capacities as a mentor, teacher and coach combined provided her kids the tools they needed from her mothering perspective. The book started as a guide for mothers to not raise kids who are not screwed up, and it morphed into a book focused on how to be a good person in a simple non-complicated way.
We chat about:
Writing a true vernacular and terminology for young readers as a midlife writer.
When she realized her self-help book needed her story so the readers could invest in her as an author.
Writing five drafts and how the vision has changed of the book.
Her advice to any writer starting the process is to be clear about your motivation for writing a book. Remember why you initially started which anchors you on days you are staring at a half-baked book. She also suggests a writer to be flexible with their book as it evolves.
Joy is in the process of shopping her book and so we are rooting for her to land an agent to get this amazing book in bookstores all over America! What a great graduation gift!
If you enjoyed this show, may we suggest other episodes you may like with Book Client/Authors of Kim’s? Check out recent episodes with Matthew Brownstein, founder of the Interpersonal Hypnotherapy Institute or Amy Powers talking about network marketing from an Ivy League perspective. Subscribe to not miss any upcoming guests, and if you liked this episode, I would love a review! It’s the lifeblood of podcasts. My podcast is also connected to my 3x weekly column Inner Circle so be sure to subscribe!
I have written a book! Check out No Longer Denying Sexual Abuse: Making The Choices That Can Change Your Life. I also have a 21 week series Abused No Longer.
A Book That Helps Young Adults Live a Good Life