Insecure Writers Want to Know
I have been blessed with quite a few great reviews for my college memoir, Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College. Today, May 5, 2026, in fact, is my first book’s one-year anniversary. Thank you to all who have reviewed my memoir.
While looking to answer IWSG’s question about inspiring feedback, I tried to choose only one succinct line from all my reviews. Here is a line from Stephen’s review:
“The book’s deep authenticity strikes the reader in the heart.”
This is all any writer can hope for. To reach a reader in his or her heart with our story. Our writing, whether fiction, memoir, or nonfiction, needs to connect with readers. And to connect deeply, the story, the subject material, needs to tell an emotional journey.
I’m not speaking about an overly dramatic telling here. I’m talking about a journey with an internal and external problem that touches on the emotions. The story must show why what is happening in the plot matters to the main character, the protagonist. Why is what’s happening in the writing so important to the characters? Why does it touch them on an emotional level? And in a nonfiction book, why does the subject material matter to the reader?
Is it easy to get that internal tension, why it matters to a character, and the external plot problem, what’s happening on the outside in a story? That tension in memoir? The interest of nonfiction readers in an important subject?
Absolutely not! That’s why creating essays or stories is so difficult. We need to make sure the important elements to engage our readers are present in our writing. For me, I need to revise after first creating the story or nonfiction piece to be sure I have that internal external tension in the writing. And then revise again. And sometimes, too many revisions for my liking.
As always, I am open to any suggestions you may have on how to create engaging prose that touches our readers’ hearts.
Now I’m off to see what inspiring feedback YOU received on your writing from readers, editors, or agents. Happy IWSG Day, everyone!
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This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. I’d like to thank our co-hosts for May: are Jenni Enzor, Jemima Pett, Jamie of Uniquely Maladjusted but Fun, and Kim Lajevardi!
Please visit them if you can.
Our group posts on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
Don’t give up
Never, Bill. Thank you so much for your encouragement. It’s appreciated more than you know. Have a beautiful day!
Connecting to the heart – there has to be that deep connection or the reader won’t care what happens.
This is so true, Alex. We need to make our readers care about what happens to our characters. Happy Insecure Writers Support Group day!
Happy Book Anniversary! I’m glad you’re getting more reviews. The one you posted is beautiful.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Natalie. It’s always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a beautiful day!
Happy anniversary! I agree. That is lovely and inspirational feedback!
Thank you, Liza. Happy Insecure Writers Support Group day! Enjoy your weekend.
So true. What stays with us is how we feel in the aftermath of a story. That’s why I CAN’T read some types of books but really appreciate others. Isn’t it crazy how that works for each of us?
I need to have an upbeat, positive story, Crystal. I, also, can’t read some types of books. Life doesn’t always work out, so I NEED my stories to have a happy or positive ending.
Thanks for stopping by Adventures in Writing. Happy Mother’s Day.
Happy Book Anniversary! I haven’t written a memoir, but I think you are right that you need to touch readers in the same way you touch them with fiction. This is such a wonderful review! And it’s what we all want as writers.
Yes it is, Jenni. As writers, we need to touch our readers’ lives. Show them how to navigate life or at least remain positive during difficult times. Enjoy your weekend!
Happy book anniversary! Sounds like you wrote a memoir that is anything but boring.
One of my favorite review remarks to see is “Couldn’t put it down.” The best one recently was “This book is terrific!” from a GUY. (I write romance, so that was totally unexpected. LOL)
Good for you, Melissa! Yes, every writer wants the reader not to be able to put the book down easily.
Thank you for your kind words. They mean a lot. Enjoy your day!
I am never sure if we should celebrate a book’s anniversary or birthday!! Anyway do celebrate! Are you writing more memoirs? Thanks for hosting.
True, JQ. I’m not sure if it is an anniversary or a birthday. But it’s definitely worth celebrating. I’ve been creating short memoir essays for the market. I have yet to sell another one, though. And I need to get back to my short fiction as well. AND start that blasted marketing for my college memoir.
Oh well…a writer’s life is not easy and always busy. Thanks for your note here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your day!
Happy anniversary! And I love that feedback. I think getting into the emotional part of “what we know” inside a story works, even if the story is wild and fictional.
This is true, Tyrean. Seeking the emotion of a story is important in memoir as well as fiction.
Thank you for visiting Adventures in Writing and leaving a note. I appreciate your kind words. Have a great day!
That is a really nice feedback!
Congrats on 1 year of your book. I love it’s cover!
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Rida. I’m so glad you are here.
Thank you for your kind words about the cover of Determination: A Mother of Five Conquers College. I thought long and hard on this cover. Five books for five children worked better than ten books for how many years it took me to finish college. Enjoy your day!
One year anniversary, Victoria? Wow! Congratulations! Your book was inspiring, and I still need to do a review for you. I haven’t forgotten ~ just life has gotten in the way. I’m glad that you have gotten a lot of reviews. Happy May, my friend!
Happy May to you, too, Louise. I certainly understand how life gets in the way of our plans. Thank you for your kind words. And thanks for the review when you get the chance. Stay strong, dear friend!
You’re exactly right about the importance of connection and an emotional journey. I’d add–and this is related to both–that readers crave authenticity, especially in the age of AI and online pseudo-friendships. People are lonelier and more disconnected than ever, despite–or, ironically, because of–the internet and social media and are desperate for real, human authenticity.