As a writer I get excited to talk to other writers about their work. Landscape photographer Colleen Miniuk has a new book hitting the presses all about self-discovery and picking up the pieces after what feels like failure. I've gotten to interview other friends who've written books, such as author Angie Orth about her memoir Flirting with Disaster, but hearing from Colleen about her process and what creating this, her third book, means to her really got me.

In So Said the River Colleen opens up about her life and striving for excellence in all things... until the moment of decision hits where it's "Do and die, or do not and live to tell the tail" (my words, not hers). When you're an adventurous person who's also a perfectionist, successful in everything you touch, it's difficult to battle the need to win (against yourself or nature). I get it, but having read So Said the River and knowing the author personally, reading and hearing Colleen's words really does capture those feelings of doubt and failure that we face as adults.

I'm not going to give spoilers, but So Said the River is a fantastic book that brought me to tears several times. Available at SoSaidTheRiver.com (and other booksellers in June 2024), you'll both love the story and connect with the struggles Colleen shares in her narrative memoir.

To hear more from Colleen give a listen to these other great podcast episodes: