Write Your Story: Our Next Pen & Mend Book Club Pick
Let's read together in May and discuss in June!
Part of my purpose in this space is to spread the love of writing as a source of healing and hope. Our next Pen & Mend book club pick is one that I think will help us experience just that. This is for anyone interested in understanding themselves, their story, and their purpose in the world through writing.
Join me in May as we read Allison Fallon’s new book, Write Your Story.
I’ll let the following excerpt from the Amazon book description introduce you to the author and book:
Author Allison Fallon has led thousands of people just like you to find greater meaning by helping them write their story. She’s witnessed the phenomenon of a person stepping back, analyzing their life, and realizing what they’re good at and what they are not, the types of people who hurt them and those who help, and the things that provide satisfaction and what leaves them empty. And in all this, they find their purpose. They find their story.
When you know your story, you know who you are and why you matter. You understand the many ways you can help others, and you develop a resilience over pain that can make you unstoppable.
Allison’s simple formula will help you process your life and get your whole story down—in only five pages! This isn’t a formula to teach you to write a book (although the exercises may lead to that), but it will help you understand yourself, your story, and your purpose.
Ally Fallon is also the author of The Power of Writing It Down and the podcast host of Write Your Story (both of which are frequent recommendations of mine). I’m a huge fan of Ally’s work and am excited to dive into her newest book in real-time with you!
Write Your Story releases on May 7th.
Luckily for us, Ally’s book is available for pre-order and comes along with generous pre-order gifts!
We’ll start reading as soon as we get our copies! (When you pre-order and claim your gifts, you can read the first 3 chapters right away!).
As we read on our own, we’ll dog-ear our pages, highlight, make jottings in the margins, and maybe even find ourselves writing according to Ally’s guidance and wisdom.
As I read, I’ll share some thoughts in threads right here on Substack. You’re welcome to join me as I go, adding your own thoughts, or just read at your own pace, of course.
On Thursday, June 13th at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET, we’ll gather together for a virtual book club discussion and ‘party.’
*As our event draws near, I’ll send out another reminder post with the private book club Zoom link. Our virtual event will be behind a paywall for Pen & Mend members to keep these spaces intimate, authentic, and secure. But if you need it, I’m happy to gift you a free month’s trial—just reach out!
Our virtual book club discussion/party will be casual but fun! Come whether you’ve finished the entire book, are still in the middle of it, or just want to listen in. You won’t be quizzed or put on the spot. And in some way, we’re going to make writing a part of our event! I also plan to add some more details to our event as it approaches to cultivate a fun, shared experience (maybe a giveaway and/or a special recipe for us all to try?).
Questions to hold with you as you read:
Did you experience any “ah ha” moments or revelations as you read?
Was there any moment that felt particularly healing for you?
What challenged you?
What inspired you?
What is your favorite section or chapter?
How are you letting this book’s wisdom inform/transform you?
Sound fun?
Comment “I’m in!” on this post to let your book club buddies know who they’re reading along with.
Pre-order your copy of Write Your Story by Allison Fallon using the button at the top of this post.
Add our book club discussion party to your calendar right now so you don’t forget! The Zoom invite will come later.
Stay tuned for future emails/posts about our book club by making sure you’re subscribed.
P.S.
If you’d like a friend to join you, share this post with them (when they join with your link and upgrade to a paid membership, you get referral rewards!) or consider even gifting them a subscription.
I’m in!
I'm in! 😊