The Art of Edutainment: The Process of Blending, & Balancing Memoir Writing with Wellness
By Jane Enright
“ Sometimes it’s the smallest decision that can change your life forever”
—-Keri Russell
Keri Russell once said, “sometimes it’s the smallest decision that can change your life forever.” For me, it was a decision to try my hand at writing a book, which became three books in three years and began a whole new storyline with a new way of thinking and living. My genre (creative nonfiction), is actually not officially listed in the BISAC Codes. Consequently, sometimes it is challenging to find the “sweet spot” when you want to classify your writing style and categorize that oh-so-important metadata so crucial to our livelihoods as authors.
My writing style has been called a unique blend of storytelling and self-help or “edutainment for the soul.” This comes from the heart—a genuine desire to share my personal story in a way that not only chronicles my journey through life, but also helps make the lives of readers easier and more enjoyable. My new book Jane’s Jam: Inspiration to Create Your Super Awesome Life is just that: stories intertwined with practical ideas that enable readers to not only thrive amidst unexpected or unwanted change, but create a sense of well being and contentment after it.
My approach is simple: I can’t do this alone, nor can anyone else. I believe if you are going to inspire others you always need good mentors–thought leaders who inspire you and encourage you both directly and indirectly to keep going, share their thoughts along with your own, with examples and analogies that readers can compare and contrast to find the best fit for their lifestyle and circumstances. This means going beyond just telling a story, it shows the reader the experience of transformation, how you feel, and what others feel, and blending those experiences through your own words.
In my memoir Butter Side Up: How I Survived My Most Terrible Year & Created My Super Awesome Life I showed readers how looking through a different lens with Outside Thinking, Mindfulness and Gratitude, (my OMG), transformed and changed my outlook on life for the better. In Jane’s Jam: Inspiration To Create Your Super Awesome Life I chose to continue the conversation with a “playbook approach.” Jane’s Jam is a book that you can pick up, open to any section, and find something to help you navigate the situation you’re in. Jane’s Jam teaches you to look at change differently in your life and use it to your advantage. It is a guide with go-to reference for creating fresh, new storylines for yourself along with a collection of personal anecdotes, and experiences of famous individuals who have triumphed over tragedy. It shares practical ideas to help readers begin to think about being the quarterback of their life, rather than the receiver. Moreover, how looking at life in a more positive, optimistic way can not only help you build resilience but also help you find sweetness when life seems sour.
So, what process did I utilize to do this? First, I believe as authors we always have to ask ourselves “why am I writing this?” In other words, look at the big picture from the outside in–know who your audience is, why you are writing for them, and how you will reach them with your words.
Secondly, be mindful of not only telling but showing readers analogies and examples. One technique I like to use is to weave into the storyline an inspiring quote with a lesson learned that relates to real life and the topic. Author Maya Angelo was always very good at this. Not that I would ever tell you my writing is in the same category as hers (lol), however her use of quotations and analogies has always been viewed as very uplifting and inspiring to both readers, and fellow authors.
In Jane’s Jam, I discuss the analogy between riding the waves of COVID and riding the waves of change in Chapter Eight entitled “Learning How To Surf.” I detail the story of Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who at the age of thirteen lost her arm after being attacked by a great white shark– a horrific example of unexpected, unwanted change. I often ask readers to put themselves into the situation I am writing about with the question: What would you do? Rather than crash into the waves, Bethany learned how to surf again. She learned how to surf so well that she turned pro, winning many competitions, and is often quoted for coining the phrase, “Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let fear stop you.”
I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. Everyday as authors we put ourselves out there in the public eye and that can be a scary thing to do. We find courage through our experiences and belief that we can impact the lives of others positively with our storytelling. I am always honoured and grateful to have the privilege to be a published female author and the opportunity to share my ideas in a way that benefits both readers and authors. I believe language and the words we use are powerful. I try to choose my words and story tell in such a way that helps the reader not just see what is happening or has happened, but also feel the experience of being in that situation. This is my way of helping me answer the most important question of all: “how does this sound to the reader.”
Warmest wishes for a lovely autumn!
Best,
Jane
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Jane Enright is an ordinary person who has survived some extraordinary things. An inspiring and humorous award-winning Canadian author and positivity expert, Jane is a former kindergarten teacher, university lecturer, and the CEO of Everything at My Super Awesome Life Inc. She is the recipient of the 2022 Silver Medal from Living Now Evergreen Book Awards, to commemorate world-changing books published in this new millennium for her compelling, riveting memoir entitled Butter Side Up: How I Survived My Most Terrible Year & Created My Super Awesome Life. You can find her new book Jane’s Jam: Inspiration To Create Your Super Awesome Life Nov 1st where good books are sold, and connect with her on LinkedIn, Goodreads, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. For more information, visit her at mysuperawesomelife.com, janeenrightauthor.com, or shewritespress.
JANE’S JAM
Stuff with four letters ending in a “t” happens to everyone; it’s how you handle it that matters . . .
Life puts us all through change; some might even say life is change. In the blink of an eye, the unexpected can happen. Your life can suddenly be toast—butter side down, full of icky stuff you don’t want anywhere near you. Conversely, you can also land butter side up, with wonderful opportunities you never could have imagined.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a reminder to all of us that change can change its mind anytime. Now more than ever, it is important to keep perspective and remember that our life is what we create. Positive thoughts have a good effect on us. They can support us to become happier, heathier, and add value to our entire lives—especially during times of great uncertainty. Maintaining a positive mindset can attract more brightness into your life, so you can successfully navigate those curveballs out of left field and move forward, not backward, while life plays out.
Jane’s Jam is not self-help jargon; it is edutainment for the soul. Following in the footsteps of Butter Side Up: How I Survived My Most Terrible Year and Created My Super Awesome Life, this powerful, uniquely inspiring, and humorous OMG-playbook approach to overcoming adversity and living your best life will help readers look on the bright side, bounce back from the unthinkable, and intentionally create a super awesome life—no matter what the situation.
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Category: How To and Tips
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