I have heard authors say how hard it is to write when there is potential for criticism of their work. For years I had words in my head. My 'book writing' started 6+ years into writing blogs for my website, The CP Diary.

How I put my books together

I thought it helpful to explain how I put my books together. It took me 3 years to put my first book together. My books are based on my blog, my experiences, and on my beliefs around a disability I didn't know I had.

Once I had my first book published, I started to work on my second manuscript, which is based around 'spirituality and healing.' It took me just over a year and a half to complete. The second book was easier to put together, primarily because I already had a base to work from.

I capitalised on the positives not the negatives

Given the fact that I never knew about my mental or emotional struggles, or the fact that I had a disability, meant it would have been easy to draw on the negativity, but I'm not sure how many people really want to read negative books.

It was also important I didn't drag how I really felt about what happened, into my writing. I wanted the book to be fair, to be balanced, to be true. I didn't want to drag myself into something that would have been difficult to contain moving forward. While 'my story' is unique, our emotions and how we react to our experiences is universal.

Exploring my feelings

When you don't know about your life and you physically, mentally and emotionally struggle that is the life you live, usually without question, until you come to question it. It's also not something you will elaborate, or go into detail on. Instead, you may ignore your experiences happened. I sensitively put 'my story' together, in a way that allowed me to explore my feelings so that I could heal.

A Book is 'emotionally subjective'

What other people’s expectations are from a book is emotionally subjective to the individual. These accounts are written in my words, in the way I think, in the way I am able to process and in the way I am able to communicate.

My books are a true likeness of the way that I process. It is because I deal with autism that readers may experience a writing style different to the collective norm.

A Reader's Journey 

My books offer readers the opportunity to help them embark on a new journey towards self-acceptance, to calm, and to seek a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them.

If you're interested and fancy grabbing copies of any of my books, please go to the following link https://www.thecpdiary.com/my-books/

Ilana Estelle is a mental health and wellbeing advocate who combines educational insight with her personal experience of living with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. She holds diplomas in Counselling, Diet and Nutrition, Nutritional Therapy, Psychotherapy and Counselling, and Stress Management. Through her writing, Ilana supports others in navigating their emotional, mental, and physical health challenges. In addition to writing for The CP Diary, her work has appeared in healthy lifestyle magazines. Ilana is also the author of three books: Cerebral Palsy: A Story – Finding the Calm After the Storm, Spirituality, Healing and Me, and Survival: The Covid Years – Time for Change.

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2 comments on “Putting My Books Together”

  1. One thing I have been struggling with is how I put my own book together. I imagine I would have to start writing; there is so much to get out of my head which I know will help me to make sense of things.

    You have been such a power of example to me, for which I am truly grateful. Thanks so much for listening to me and helping me out when you could.

    I am hoping and praying that one day it will finally be safe enough to travel and meet up with you in the real world.

    1. Thanks Randy. No worries. I was more than happy to help out. I'm pleased you found me helpful!

      Yes, although the world is up and running again, we are nowhere near finished with Covid-19, although listening to some of those decisions, you would have thought Covid was gone.

      I think you can begin to make sense of things Randy. Contributing to my blog in the way you have and continue to do (thank you) will also help you make sense of things.

      And whilst we're not always in a position to change things immediately, I believe we can all come to understand.

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