A follower on social media who had come upon a post promoting my memoir asked me HOW I wrote my book. Do I have a degree in writing? What classes did I take? How long did it take?
The truth is, there was no tidy formula or academic roadmap. What I did have was persistence, curiosity, and the willingness to stumble forward. Here are the six steps that carried me through the process of writing Mom Loves the Dogs More: A Memoir of Family Rescue.
STEP 1: WRITE A BOOK
It may sound odd but my first step to writing a book was to write the book. I wanted to prove to myself that I could. I committed to one year and set aside ten hours each week—not with a page goal, but with a time goal. Time felt less intimidating than word count, and it was easier to fit in around work, family, and fostering.
Writers don’t always write. They read. They research. They stare at the screen in frustration. I allowed myself all of it. And when I’d had enough, I closed the laptop and leashed the dogs for a walk.
I didn’t take classes or seek critique early on. I knew they’d eat up precious time and stir up self-doubt. My only rule was quantity. The quality came later, with maturity and revision.
STEP 2: PRINT THE WORDS
When the draft was done—slightly longer than a year later—I celebrated by printing it. Holding the pages made the work feel real. My family and I marked the milestone with a triple-tiered chocolate cake from the bakery. I had no energy left to bake from scratch, but it was a joy to watch my kids lift the lid of the bakery box and share in the surprise.
STEP 3: SHARE
Stories aren’t impactful until they find an audience. I sent the manuscript to ten beta readers: friends, family, and a few acquaintances.
Waiting for their feedback was agony. To pass the time, I indulged in daydreams—sure that my draft was a masterpiece. I imagined five-star praise, an easy path to an agent, and overnight success.
Reality looked different. The first readers said, “I loved it. Best wishes.” That was it. Another reader marked up every page as if it were ready for press. Two thoughtful critiques from skilled readers knocked me off my pedestal and made it clear: my book needed more work.
STEP 4: READ BOOKS BY OTHERS
To figure out what my manuscript lacked, I turned to books on writing.
The first was a serendipitous find: Storytelling as Best Practice by Andy Goodman, left on a giveaway table at work. It outlined clear steps—beginning, conflict, heroes and villains, facts, and ending—that helped me restructure my draft.
Goodman referenced Lisa Cron, whose Story Genius used brain science to explain why readers connect with stories. Her templates, though designed for fiction, worked beautifully for my memoir.
Finally, I was introduced to Mary Carroll Moore’s Your Book Starts Here during one of her classes. My copy became dog-eared and color-tabbed, a constant guide as I storyboarded my chapters.
STEP 5: LEARN FROM OTHERS
Eventually, I braved in-person and online classes—many with Mary Carroll Moore through the Loft Literary Center. I learned about theme, voice, the publishing process, querying, and how to write a compelling opening.
Classes didn’t just build my skills; they taught me how to manage the fear of sharing my work. Vulnerability was part of the deal. The only way forward was through.
STEP 6: WRITE A BOOK PROPOSAL
Finally, I wrote a book proposal. It forced me to consider the practical side of publishing: agents, editors, publishers, media, and influencers. Who are they? What do they read and represent? How do they discover books? How should an author promote a book in an A.I. world?
The process was sobering—but essential. It sharpened my vision and prepared me for the realities of bringing my story into the world.
The Last Step
Writing Mom Loves the Dogs More wasn’t about credentials or following a perfect plan. It was about showing up, week after week, with enough courage to keep going and enough humility to learn along the way.
So when someone asks how I wrote my memoir, this is my answer: it's much like walking a dog, step by step, imperfectly but with intention, trusting the path will take us somewhere worth arriving.
JOIN MY BOOK LAUNCH TEAM
It’s official! 🎉 After years of writing, revising, and (yes) cuddling foster dogs for inspiration, my memoir Mom Loves the Dogs More: A Memoir of Family Rescue is launching September 18, 2025!
I’m inviting YOU to be part of my Book Launch Team—the behind-the-scenes crew helping me bring this story into the world.
Here’s what you’ll get:
✨ A free advance digital copy
✨ Exclusive sneak peeks + updates
✨ Giveaways & launch party invite
✨ A signed copy once print books arrive
All I ask in return? A little help spreading the word—whether that’s a quick post, a share, or an Amazon review.
Thanks for sharing a bit about your journey. It sounds like an arduous one.
Thank you for these interesting references. I hope to write a book one day. Will check them out!