In order to write about my progress on Memoir Mondays I reviewed a binder that I created for the year 2020-2021. I found a notebook for the Hay House Writer's Challenge. I believe I also have another notebook somewhere, but can’t seem to find it here. I may have taken it to our apartment in VA. Which brings to the feeling that I really need to get organized if I truly want to write this memoir.
The Who, What, When, Where, Why and How
Looking at the past 3 Mondays, I see that I told you about the what, when, where, why and how. The only thing that’s missing is the WHO. And that probably is the most important.
Who would be the most likely to pick up my memoir?
A person who...
* has had a stroke
* has challenges living with aphasia, apraxia or dysarthria
* is a care partner of a loved one who has had a stroke or someone with aphasia or apraxia
* is a medical professional interested in learning more about the lived experience (stroke, aphasia, apraxia)
* is looking for hope after stroke, aphasia, apraxia
* is interested in Living Well With Aphasia/apraxia
I think about this a lot. I feel like my blog is a precursor to writing my memoir. I think the same people as above would find my blog interesting / or, I hope, helpful. I'm not sure if I am reaching my these people, or "my niche". Or I don't know how to reach them more effectively.
Whose story would be on the shelf next to mine?
Another exercise in the Hay House writer’s challenge was to find other books that would be like ours, i.e. sitting on the shelf next to ours in the bookstore. Even though it was during the height of Covid we were encouraged to go to an actual bookstore near us. I went to one of my favorite places, Amazon, lol. I know, I am a rebel.
Here are some I found:
Debra Meyerson, Identity Theft, Rediscovering Ourselves after Stroke
Stacie Broke (al)Lone, Thriving A Stroke
https://www.amazon.com/My-Stroke-of-Insight-audiobook/dp/B001QCZTWU/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1MJYO7KS2CIJC&keywords=memoirs+about+stroke&qid=1674511034&sprefix=memoirs+about+stroke%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-4
Lauren Marks, A Stitch in Time
Ellayne Ganzfried, The Word Escapes Me
David Dow, Healing the Broken Brain
https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Broken-Brain-audiobook/dp/B071R7G43V/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FZZIYSU1HK2L&keywords=healing+the+broken+brain&qid=1674511549&sprefix=healing+the+broken%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1
My Stroke 450 days from Severe Apraxia
Peter Levine, Stronger After Stroke
After Aphasia
Jill Bolte, My Stroke of Insight
Thomas Broussard, Stroke Diary
There are many more examples of memoirs that I would be competing with. If/when published, it would probably be self published and available for free.
I hope if you are interested in either stroke recovery or living well with aphasia that you consider reading some or all of these fine memoirs. And of course I hope you will continue to follow me on my stroke journey and journey of Living Well with Aphasia..
until next time......
I can't speak for others, but I am interested. I've read Jill Bolte and Peter Levine. I am interested in the Broken Brain. I haven't had a stroke but I am medical but I think I would be interested even if not. Other people's struggle are good teachers for others struggling with different issues.
It sounds like you're already thinking about who your target audience is and how to reach them, which is great! One suggestion I would have is to explore other online communities of people who have gone through similar experiences - like aphasia forums or Facebook groups. You can find many people online who have had strokes, aphasia, apraxia and their care partners - by joining those groups and interacting with them, you will better understand who the most likely readers are for your memoir. Additionally, it might help to create some content specifically geared towards those going through or caring for someone with aphasia or apraxia to draw attention from that niche community. Best of luck! - Julie Ann Shahin