A Book of Hope...?

??? I sometimes find myself working with authors whose books pursue that four-letter word beginning with 'h.'

????? The challenge of the story may have to do with physical or mental illness, a bereavement or other loss, a disheartening legal challenge...

Or something else in life that's gone horribly wrong, and leaves shock, grief, anger, sorrow, confusion, helplessness in its wake.

I've worked with books that truly capture and filter a unique story, that plunge into the emotion of an unprecedented experience, that shine a light through a dark time, that allow both writer and reader to, perhaps, feel the wings of...yes, that 'h' word, hope.

????? That small but enormous four-letter word can be part of the heart and 'thrust' that compels people to buy that book, a book that offers the promise of some resolution and bright light at the end of the journey, and even throughout.

If you feel you have a book in you, a story that must be told, but is painful in the telling...remember that word, hope.

You may not be able to resolve, in the end...but the journey to try is one that is part of the human condition, and may help bring strength to it. Your book may not have a 'solution' for yourself or for others...but might offer an option, an experience, a suggestion.

And that can be powerful, and help close the distance between hopelessness and hope.

????? And don't be afraid to use humour, or aim for a short book (increasingly popular in these busy times), or even reach out to do a crowdfunding campaign to support your quest for a ghostwriter, an editor, a book designer, self-publication.

It's also good practice to spend some time truly studying the websites of traditional publishers, and absorbing and understanding what books of hope they have deemed worthwhile to invest in.

????? Another idea ~ if you have the artistic ability, or a colleague with same ~ is to create a book with illustration, either a graphic-novel approach, or one with visuals used as occasional enhancements. A picture is part of the universal language, and can say 100 words, if not 1000.

????? Open yourself to the potential, possibilities, options. And while your story may be a personal one, if you want to share it with the world, remember to work at making the personal, universal.

Write your book from your heart and soul...but also envision the reader, many readers, being drawn to it, empathizing with it, identifying with it. Sometimes, this can be as simple as writing right to the reader, with sentences like "Have you ever felt that you could...?" etc.

????? Too, look for writers' groups and book clubs, where you can share writing efforts, support each other, and discuss what makes a book show heart and soul, go to the heart and soul...and leave a feeling of hope.

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And here are some books that embrace that four-letter word...hope:

"Hope Rising: How the Science of HOPE Can Change Your Life" by Casey Gwinn J.D. and Chan Hellman Ph.D ~ https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Rising-Science-HOPE-Change/dp/168350965X

"Hope: A Novel" by Andrew Ridker ~ https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Novel-Andrew-Ridker-ebook/dp/B0BHY38ZPH/

"Wild Hope: Healing Words to Find Light on Dark Days (Poetry Wisdom that Comforts, Guides, and Heals)" by Donna Ashworth ~ https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Hope-Healing-Poetry-

"Chasing Hope: A Reporter's Life" by Nicholas D. Kristof ~ https://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Hope-Reporters-Nicholas-Kristof/dp/0593536568/Comforts/dp/1684814529/

"Arsenal of Hope: Tactics for Taking on PTSD, Together" by Jen Satterly and Holly Lorincz ~ https://www.amazon.com/Arsenal-Hope-Tactics-Taking-Together/dp/1642936790

"All Hope is Found: Rediscovering the Joy of Expectation" by Sarah Jakes Roberts ~ https://www.amazon.com/All-Hope-Found-Rediscovering-Expectation/dp/1400339871/

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*** Like to discuss your own potential book? I can help with writing, editing, publication options/guidance; media, marketing and promo!