Cleaning Up My Confusion

A Writer's Guide for Recovery

In my mind everything makes sense. Putting my thoughts and memories into words helps me to clean and clear up my confusion. Afterall it is my story so of course I can make sense of it, but how can I use my story to help you?

For fifty years I went through life hindered by my own flawed character, choosing to cast blame on others, not accepting the source of my problems–me! I was a woman losing the battle of life and resorting to alcohol to cope. Not only was the alcohol toxic, but my daily routine was doing me in.

Now I am attempting to take the mess I made of my life and package it up for others to learn from. I wrote out my story and discovered it’s not as easy as placing my words on paper, but it needs to be thoughtfully crafted with a purpose. A list of criteria that has helped me get to this point is as follows:

• Take a Break: Look at everything with a fresh head.

• Get Feedback: Talk to the professionals they will tell you what you need to know.

• Mental Clarity: Work on yourself and give yourself time to figure it out.

• Clarify Your Message: Write down the topics and make sure they are relevant to the bigger picture.

• Consider the Outcome: What is the goal?

• Read and Write: Read other peoples work and write what resonates.

• Connect With Others: Learn from your audience.

• Schema: Review your plan.

The Book Structure

Organization is key when writing any book. If the book’s storytelling and message is scattered the reader will be left frustrated and not interested in finishing the book. My goal is to create a clear arc that will help the reader retain the information and reach the end goal.

To learn about the problems, solutions, and the end goal read last weeks post, where I include the full introduction of Swallow Your Pride, A Writer’s Guide for Recovery.

Cleaning Up The Stories Arc

A traditional arc looks like this

My book’s original outline followed the traditional arc, which shared my journey from the beginning to end during my early recovery. I discovered the book reads better if I alter that arc, by moving a chapter late in the book to the beginning. This creates an inverted plot by moving the climax to Chapter One.

The Climax

The climax is the moment of life or death, or at least that feels like life or death for the protagonist. Even before I set the scene we dive right into the action. It’s important that I show my reader what is at stake and give them a good reason to read the book.

Cleaning Up the Self-Help Structure

The original structure I had implemented the Steps of Recovery in order while keeping the anonymity of the recovery program that provided my early foundation. The new structure I will season in the steps to add depth to the story. Introducing the steps while sharing how they work within the lives of the characters brings the story to life and how they relate to your life.

I found success with blogging and Search Engine Optimization, so my revised book will maintain the same structure. I will start and conclude each chapter with a relevant story and within the body use headings to guide the reader. This will give the reader a user friendly experience by not only engaging you, but be an easy reference manual.

Finally, a key takeaway, and journaling prompts and relevant recovery steps will conclude each chapter.

A Writer’s Guide to Recovery chronicles my journey from taking a memoir and transform it to a self-help book. The goal is to bring awareness to recovery, not just of alcohol abuse but focusing on character defects and to create a manual to promote introspection and healing.

The Central Argument

Each book should have a central argument. In Swallow Your Pride, A Writer’s Guide for Recovery, my argument is outlined in the opening statement.

The central argument is my main idea and it’s my goal to convince you, that you are the problem! Not a popular premise and the truth hurts, but at least I can help relieve the pain of accepting your truth.

Cleaning Up My Chapters

Each chapter should point back to the central argument otherwise the chapter simply doesn’t belong in the book. Chapters each contain their own thesis, a clear purpose, relevant to the bigger picture. I found this great resource Why Your Nonfiction Book Chapters Are Important.

Chapter Length

The opinions vary for chapter length. A publisher instructed me that I needed to be more consistent, while others sources suggest it’s dependent on the chapter material itself. The above referenced article suggests a good chapter length is between 10-15k. If that’s the case all of my chapters are falling short.

Personally, being a slow reader I prefer short, meaningful chapters. For me what is most important is that the chapter is satisfying. Revising my book I will determine if each chapter can stand alone or should be combined with another.

Let’s Get Started

An exercise to give myself a clear vision of my book is to outline my chapters. In each chapter I will share the position of the story’s arc, present the main theme and subthemes each which should point back to my argument. The word count is included. And then conclude with any relevant recovery steps.

Cleaning Up My Chapters

Chapter One—She Woke Up

Originally Chapter Sixteen, My Ebenezer (renamed) is a climatic scene which will present better as an inverted plot.

Themes: Identity, Transformation, Amends, Tolerance.

Word Count: 3194

Recovery Steps: A Summary

Part One—Igniting the Flames of Shame

This dialogue was included prior to the original Chapter One, Shame On Me. It represents Steps One through Three of Recovery. I need to think about if part one, two, and three dialogue add or detract from the book.

Chapter Two—Shame On Me

Chapter Two is an exposition chapter offering backstory.

Themes: Unresolved Shame, Sharing My Past, Coping Mechanisms

Word Count: 2253

Recovery Steps: Step 1, 4, 3

Chapter Three—The Catalyst

The catalyst is viewed as the inciting incident and it sets me on the journey for the need to recover from alcohol abuse. My alter ego, Jezebel, is introduced.

Themes: The Need for Change, The Importance of Being Proactive

Word Count: 3009

Recovery Steps: Step 1

Chapter Four—Pick Your Poison

This is an informational chapter which covers a broad raft of material.

Themes: Honesty, Addiction and Recovery

Word Count: 4545

Recovery Steps: Including metrics to help determine if you indeed are an addict.

Chapter Five—Shame On You

This chapter includes sharing my stint at detox and rising action.

Themes: Resentment, Purpose, Compassion, Gratitude

Word Count: 3707

Recovery Steps: Step 4

Chapter Six—Me, Myself, and I

This chapter uses my backstory and how it plays into the rising action of being thrust into healing with strangers. Our fictional character Casanova is introduced.

Themes: Ego, Pride, Aging, Obsession, Sexual Addiction

Word Count: 3083

Recovery Steps: Step 4, 5

Chapter Seven—Seduced By the Angel of Light

Fictional storytelling including rising action. Chapter Fifteen a resolution chapter is the sister chapter, demonstrating character growth.

Themes: Insecurities, Comparison/Jealousy, Self-esteem, Society Pressures, Temptation

Word Count: 1328

Recovery Step: Step 3

Chapter Eight—My Sobering Reality Show

This chapter includes more rising action. It shares my time in rehab and how other’s actions impact my recovery.

Themes: What Shapes Us (our past and other people), Free-will, Judgment

Word Count: 6202

Recovery Steps: This is where the tools for recovery were first introduced.

Chapter Nine—Adorned With His Spirit

This is a climatic chapter and Jezebel makes an appearance. The transformation is starting to take place.

Themes: Holy Spirit, Male/female Double Standards, Christianity.

Word Count: 1997

Recovery Steps: Step 3

Part Two—The Cultivation of My Soul

Part Two has a stronger focus on Steps Four through Seven.

Chapter Ten—Till Death Do Us Part and Into Eternity

This chapter is part of the falling action and is informational. It shares how a strong foundation will save us from making poor choices.

Themes: Marriage & Recovery, Communication, Temptation

Word Count: 5753

Recovery Steps: Beatitudes

Chapter Eleven—The Sound of Grief

This is a climatic scene that is a second arc in the book. The book leads up to this and my problem is understood.

Themes: Relationships, Grieving, Accountability

Word Count: 2675

Chapter Twelve—Being a Mother to My Daughters

This is another informational chapter addressing motherhood and recovery. It is falling action making way for a resolution.

Themes: Creating an Ideal, Pride/Humility

Word Count: 3168

Recovery Steps: Step 4, 5

Part Three—She Weathered the Storm

Part three is strong on Steps Eight through Twelve.

Chapter Thirteen—Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Casanova and Jezebel make appearances representing temptation and guilt.

Themes: Guilt, Grace, Relationships & Recovery, Seduction

Word Count: 1960

Recovery Steps: Step 8

Chapter Fourteen—Should’ve, Could’ve, Would’ve

Jezebel and Casanova make an appearance demonstrating regret. The chapter discuss fear which is a major contributor to addiction.

Themes: Fear, Control, Aging, Gratitude

Word Count: 3317

Recovery Steps: Fear Inventory

Chapter Fifteen—The Strength of My Wings, Set Me Free

This is the falling chapter that is paired with Chapter Seven, Seduced By the Angel of Light. It is a very short but powerful chapter.

Themes: Empowerment, Self-love, Body Image

Word Count: 680

Chapter Sixteen—Just Breathe

Jezebel and Casanova make their final appearance leading the reader into the resolution.

Themes: Coping Skills, Christians/temptations, Ego/obsession of self, Exposing the roots of the problems.

Recovery Steps: Step 5, 11

Chapter Seventeen—Fake News

The character of Jezebel is revealed. My downfall I contribute to my struggles with society, the falling action leads to the resolution and peace.

Themes: Societal Problems, Idolatry, Cultural Changes, Social Media

Word Count: 4128

Chapter Eighteen—Friend Your Secret Is Safe With Me

The Resolution is met. Relationships are healed and peace is established.

Themes: Unconditional Relationships, Communication, Gossip

Word Count: 2743

Recovery Steps: Step 8, 9

The Conclusion—What’s the Point

The conclusion is the denouement and sums up the entire book. Casanova and Jezebel make an encore performance. It includes the three p’s: point (what), principles (how) and purpose (why) of the book.

Themes: Transformation, Identity, Purpose

Word Count: 2044

Recovery Steps: Step 10, 12

What to Expect Out of My Chapters

The coming weeks I will use this guide to dive deeper into each chapter. A chapter a week will take me into early February (my birthday week) the deadline I gave myself and to the various publishers. By then Swallow Your Pride will be ready for the final stages of editing.

Where some publishers were happy to publish my book as is, with little editing, the company that interests me is expecting a full manuscript edit. To save money, build awareness, and as a learning tool I decided to take on this endeavor myself.

By meeting the following criteria for each chapter my book will remain focused:

• Start with a relevant story

• Include and answer a question

• Include a reader objective, by writing “After reading this chapter, you will be able to…”

• Present a clear outline for each chapter

• Provide proof points

• Provide Argumentation and Advice

All Cleaned Up and Ready to Go

Each chapter is already written so the hard part is already completed. Now I just need to implement my plan and rewrite what doesn’t align with the vision of Swallow Your Pride, A Writer’s Guide for Recovery.

Takeaway

With thoughtful planning my book will take shape on it’s own and I will be assured a publishing deal.

Journal Prompts

Thank you for taking the time to follow my journey. If you have any suggestions that will help me as I revise my book please share!

Everything must be done in a proper and orderly way.

1 Corinthians 14:40 GNT