The Edit with Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing

You have the stories. You've started getting them on the page. You've thought about what your story is really about, why it matters, and which pieces actually belong.

Now what?

In this final episode of my series on getting started writing your story, we're bringing everything together and talking about how those individual memories, experiences, and ideas can begin taking shape as a book.

I'll walk you through a simple, practical process for gathering what you've written, looking for connections and common threads, grouping stories that belong together, identifying missing pieces, and creating a working map for your book.

And no, I'm not talking about creating a complicated outline or figuring out every chapter before you write another word.

Your working map is just that—working. It should give you direction without taking away your freedom to discover your story as you write.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How to gather everything you've written and see what you actually have • Finding the connections and threads between your stories • Thinking about your book in terms of a beginning, middle, and end • Why "What does my reader need to know next?" is different from "What happened next?" • How to identify the missing pieces in your story • Creating a flexible working map for your book • Why you don't have to write your book in order • How planning can become another form of procrastination • What to do next so you keep writing instead of getting stuck in the planning stage

We also come full circle to Jackson, the listener whose question started this entire series. He wanted to tell his story but couldn't figure out how to get anything on the page.

That question became a series because I knew he wasn't the only one.

If you've followed along, I hope you've learned something even more important than how to plan a book: You know how to begin.

And before this episode ends, I have a big announcement about what's coming next for The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing.

I'm introducing a brand-new segment called No Editing Required—real people sharing real stories in their own words.

Because your story doesn't have to be polished to matter.

Keep writing. Keep telling your stories. And most importantly, remember:

Your story without your voice is only words.

Connect with Holly at [email protected]

https://www.writelynotable.com

How do you decide which stories belong in your book—and which ones don't?

When you're writing your own story, everything can start to feel important. The people. The memories. The conversations. The backstory. But your life is bigger than your book, and not every meaningful memory belongs in the story you're telling.

In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, Holly shares practical ways to decide what stays, what goes, and what might simply belong somewhere else.

You'll learn how to:

• Give every story or scene a "job" • Decide whether a memory moves your story forward or takes your reader deeper • Separate necessary information from everything you know • Recognize when backstory is helping—or taking over • Use the "thread test" to decide whether something belongs • Create a "Not This Book" file for stories you aren't ready to use • Understand the difference between writing something and deciding to publish it

Most importantly, you'll learn why leaving something out doesn't mean the story doesn't matter.

You aren't trying to tell everything.

You're trying to tell the right things well.

And sometimes, one of the most important decisions a writer makes is knowing what not to include.

Connect with Holly at https://www.writelynotable.com

[email protected]

Why should you tell your story?

Not how do you write it. Not where do you begin. But why does your story need to be told in the first place?

After three different listeners asked me essentially that same question, I decided it was worth interrupting our current series on writing your story to answer it.

Because before you worry about the blank page, remembering every detail, or figuring out how to put your experiences into words, you need to understand why those words might matter.

And your story may matter in ways you haven't considered.

In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, I'm sharing seven reasons telling your story can make a difference — for your family, your business, the people coming behind you, and sometimes for someone you'll never even know heard it.

• How your story can shorten the walk for someone facing something you've already experienced

• Why simply sharing "this happened to me, too" can help someone feel less alone

• How writing down ordinary memories can preserve pieces of your family's history that might otherwise disappear

• Why your personal story can build trust and connection in your business

• How mistakes and failures can become some of the most useful stories you tell

• Why your experience may inspire someone to do something they didn't believe they could do

• How writing our stories gives important moments somewhere to live long after the moment itself is gone

• Why sharing your story does not mean sharing everything

I also share a story from my own life about a high school English teacher who, without ever knowing it, helped influence my decision to become an English teacher myself.

Sometimes we don't realize the significance of a story while we're living it. We understand it only when we look back and see where it led us.

Instead of asking:

"Who would care about my story?"

Try asking:

"Who might this story help?"

Then think about this:

What have I lived, learned, survived, built, discovered, or experienced that might make someone else's walk a little shorter?

Start there.

Because that might just be the story you need to tell.

If this episode helped you, please take a minute to rate and review the podcast. Those ratings and reviews help The Edit continue to grow and reach more writers and storytellers.

Send any questions or comments to Holly at:

[email protected]

And remember:

Your story without your voice is only words.

— Holly

"I write to discover what I know." — Flannery O'Connor

You may know what happened in your life—but do you know what your story is really about?

Those aren't always the same thing.

A divorce may be what happened, but the story might really be about starting over.

Building a business may be what happened, but the story might be about learning to trust yourself.

Losing someone you love may be what happened, but the story might be about grief, faith, identity, family, or discovering how to build a life you never expected to live.

In Episode 18 of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, we're continuing our series on getting your story out of your head and onto the page by looking for the thread that connects the stories you want to tell.

Because your life contains thousands of stories—but they don't all belong in the same book.

We'll talk about:

• The difference between what happened and what your story is actually about
• Why every good story from your life doesn't necessarily belong in this particular book
• How to recognize recurring themes and ideas in the stories you keep telling
• Why asking "What changed?" can reveal the deeper story
• How the things you had to learn can point toward the heart of your book
• Why thinking about what you want your reader to carry with them matters
• How to find your story's thread without forcing a message or lesson
• Why you don't have to tell your entire life to tell your story

As you look at the pieces you've already written—or the stories you know you want to tell—ask yourself:

What keeps showing up?

What changed?

What did I have to learn that I didn't understand before?

What do I hope my reader carries with them after reading my book?

And try completing these two sentences:

I used to think this story was about __________, but now I wonder if it's really about __________.

If someone reads this book, I hope they walk away believing __________.

Don't worry about having the perfect answers. You're exploring, and those answers may change as you continue writing.

You don't have to share your whole life to write your story.

You need to decide which story you're telling, find the thread that runs through it, and choose the moments that help you follow that thread.

And you don't have to understand exactly what your story means before you're allowed to start writing it.

Sometimes writing is how you discover what the story means.

Once you begin finding the thread of your story, another question usually follows:

How do I know what belongs in my book—and what doesn't?

That's where we're headed in the next episode.

If this series has helped you, share it with someone who's been talking about writing their story but hasn't figured out how to begin. And if you have a writing, editing, or publishing question you'd like me to tackle, send it my way.

The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing

[email protected]

httep://www.writelynotable.com

Your story without your voice is only words.

If you want to write your story but keep getting stuck on one question—Where do I start?—this episode is for you.

One of the biggest misconceptions about writing a personal story, memoir, or nonfiction book is that you have to begin at the chronological beginning. Your childhood. Your family history. The first thing that happened.

But the place where you begin writing your story and the place where your finished book begins don't have to be the same.

In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, Holly continues her series inspired by a listener who wants to write his story but has struggled to get the words onto the page.

This time, we're taking some of the pressure off finding the "perfect" beginning.

You'll learn:

• Why you don't need to know what Chapter One is before you start writing
• The difference between where your book begins and where you begin writing
• Why chronological order isn't always the best place to start
• How to identify the part of your story that's ready to be written now
• Why the scene, conversation, person, or moment you can't stop thinking about may be the best place to begin
• Why your first pages are allowed to be messy and disconnected
• How writing the middle can sometimes help you discover the real beginning
• Why structure and organization can—and should—come later

Instead of asking, "Where should my book start?", Holly encourages you to ask a much simpler question:

"What part of my story can I tell today?"

Maybe it's the moment you can still see clearly. Maybe it's the conversation you've never forgotten. Maybe it's the story you've told a hundred times. Maybe it's the day when everything changed.

Start there.

You can move it, rewrite it, add to it, or even remove it later. That's what editing is for.

Right now, your job isn't to perfectly organize your story.

Your job is to write it.

In the next episode, we'll take this series one step further with another important question:

What is my story really about?

Because your life contains thousands of stories—but the book you're writing probably isn't about all of them.

The Edit With Holly Totten Please take a minute to rate and leave a review for this podcast—that is how we grow!

You can reach Holly at: https://writelynotable.com

[email protected]

Remember: Your story without your voice is only words.

Have you ever thought about writing your story and immediately stopped yourself because you don't remember enough?

Maybe you remember the big moments, but not the dates. Maybe entire years feel fuzzy. Maybe you remember what happened but can't recall the exact conversation. Or maybe you've compared memories with a sibling and discovered the two of you remember the same event very differently.

Here's the good news:

You don't have to remember everything to write your story.

In this episode of The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing, I'm continuing my series inspired by a listener who asked how to begin writing his story when he simply couldn't get anything onto the page.

This time, we're talking about memory—and why an imperfect memory doesn't disqualify you from writing a memoir, personal story, family history, or other nonfiction book.

• Why memory doesn't work like a filing cabinet
• How to start with the moments you do remember
• Why you shouldn't stop writing just because you can't remember a date or detail
• What to do when someone else remembers an event differently
• How to write from your own perspective without claiming to know someone else's thoughts or motivations
• How to handle dialogue when you don't remember the exact words
• Why it's okay to acknowledge gaps in your memory
• The difference between reconstructing a scene and inventing details
• How writing one memory can lead you to another—and another

I also share a personal story about witnessing a serious car accident and the surprising realization I had when the police asked me what I had seen.

I was there.

I was close enough that I thought the speeding car was going to hit me.

And yet, I didn't actually see or hear the moment of impact.

Someone standing nearby experienced the exact same event and remembered things I didn't.

That experience is a powerful example of something every personal storyteller needs to understand:

Your story is your experience of what happened.

You don't need a perfect recording of your past to tell the truth about your life. You need to be honest about what you remember, what you don't remember, and what you experienced.

So if you've been waiting until you remember more before you begin writing, don't.

Start with what you remember. Write it down. Then follow it and see where it leads.

Sometimes the memory that seems insignificant is the one that opens the door to everything else.

You want to write a memoir, family story, personal experience, business story, or nonfiction book but worry that you don't remember enough details to do it well.

It's also for anyone who has ever wondered:

What if I get something wrong? What if someone else remembers it differently? And how can I write honestly about something that happened years ago?

You can.

And you don't have to remember everything to begin.

"Memory is the diary that we all carry about with us." — Oscar Wilde

The Edit With Holly Totten Writing, Editing, Publishing is for writers who have a story to tell and want help getting it onto the page, making it stronger, and eventually getting it into the hands of readers—without editing away the voice that made the story theirs in the first place.

You can contact Holly at: https://www,writelynotable.com

[email protected]

Your story without your voice is only words.

"You don't have to see the whole staircase. Just take the first step." — Martin Luther King Jr.

You know you have a story to tell.

You may have carried it with you for years. You've thought about writing it. You may have even told pieces of it to friends or family.

But then you sit down in front of a blank page…and nothing comes.

In this episode of The Edit, I'm answering a question from listener Jackson, who asked how to begin writing his story when, no matter how hard he tries, he simply can't seem to get anything onto the page.

And Jackson is definitely not alone.

Beginning can feel overwhelming because we often sit down to write one story while expecting ourselves to figure out the entire book at the same time.

Where should it begin?

What should I include?

What does it all mean?

Will I remember everything correctly?

What will other people think?

And how do I make any of this sound like an actual book?

That's a lot to ask of yourself before you've written a single sentence.

So today, we're making the process much smaller.

Because you don't need to see the entire staircase.

You just need to take the first step.

• Why struggling to begin does not mean you don't have a story worth telling
• Why the beginning of your book doesn't have to be the beginning of your writing process
• How to choose one vivid moment instead of trying to write your entire life story
• Why telling your story out loud may help you find the words you can't seem to write
• How writing to one person can help your natural voice come through
• Why a simple list of memories can become the bones of your story
• Questions you can use to open up memories when "write your story" feels too overwhelming
• Why you need permission to write a messy, imperfect first version
• The importance of separating writing from editing
• How short, focused writing sessions can make a big project feel manageable
• Why you don't have to understand what your story means before you begin writing it
• What to do when fear—not lack of ideas—is keeping you from the page
• Why writing your story and publishing your story are two separate decisions
• How to handle memories when you aren't certain about every detail

After listening to this episode, open a notebook, blank document, or the notes app on your phone and write:

"The moment I keep coming back to is…"

Finish that sentence.

Then set a timer for ten minutes and stay inside that one memory.

Where were you?

Who was there?

What could you see or hear?

What was said?

What did you know then?

What do you understand now?

Don't try to explain your whole life. Don't worry about whether this belongs in Chapter One. And definitely don't stop to edit it.

Just write the moment.

When your ten minutes are over, find one sentence or phrase that feels alive to you. That may be the thread that leads you into your next writing session.

If you still aren't sure how to begin, try one of these:

1. I've told this story many times, but I've never written it down.
2. The part I remember most clearly is…
3. Everything changed the day…
4. At the time, I did not understand…
5. I knew something was wrong when…
6. For years, I believed…
7. There's one conversation I've never forgotten.
8. I wish I could go back and tell myself…
9. People often assume…but the truth is…
10. This is not the whole story, but it's where I need to begin.

Choose one.

Finish the sentence.

Then write the next one.

That's how stories begin—not with the entire path mapped out or with complete confidence, but with one honest sentence followed by another.

And to Jackson, thank you for asking the question. Your question is one I know many writers need answered.

You don't have to know the whole book.

You don't have to write it in order.

You don't have to sound polished.

You just have to give yourself permission to begin.

One memory. One scene. One sentence at a time.

You can reach Holly at:

[email protected]

or

https://www.writelynotable.com

If this episode helped you, please consider rating, reviewing, or sharing the podcast with someone who has a story they've been trying to tell.

And if you have a writing, editing, or storytelling question you'd like me to answer on a future episode, reach out. Your question might be exactly what another writer needs to hear.

Remember: Your story without your voice is only words.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou

What if the most meaningful part of your vacation wasn't the destination... but the people you met?

After returning from Cozumel, Mexico, Holly realized she wasn't thinking about the beaches, the restaurants, or the excursions. She was thinking about the people she met—and the stories they shared.

A grandfather whose family grew out of unimaginable loss.

A young man whose passion for his hometown reminded her that stories bridge cultures.

A hardworking waitress whose quiet determination challenged every first impression.

An elderly couple whose love story began with a note passed in third grade.

None of them believed they had extraordinary stories.

Yet every one of them left a lasting impression.

In this heartfelt episode of The Edit, Holly explores why we so often underestimate our own experiences and why ordinary stories are often the ones readers—and people—connect with most.

Whether you're writing a memoir, a business book, family history, or simply wondering if your life is "interesting enough," this episode is a reminder that your story doesn't have to be dramatic to matter.

Because stories don't just preserve memories.

They preserve hope.

They preserve wisdom.

And sometimes, they remind someone else they aren't alone.

• Why everyone has a story worth telling
• How ordinary experiences become extraordinary stories
• Four unforgettable conversations from a trip to Mexico
• Why readers connect with humanity—not perfection
• How stories create connection between complete strangers
• The danger of believing your life is "too ordinary"
• Why you don't have to wait until your story is finished to begin telling it
• How sharing your experiences can encourage someone else

"Instead of asking yourself whether your story is worth telling, ask yourself: What part of my story might help someone else?"

• Maya Angelou
• Personal storytelling
• Memoirs
• Family history
• Business books
• Writing with authenticity
• Finding your voice
• The power of ordinary stories

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their story matters.

If you're ready to write your story without losing your voice, visit https://www.writelynotable.com to learn more about writing coaching and editing services.

You can find Holly on all social platforms at Holly Totten.

If you have a writing question or a topic you would like Holly to answer or talk about, you can email her at [email protected]

"You are the actor or actress in your story... but it's not just for you." — Lesley George

Last week, bestselling publisher and confidence coach Lesley George reminded us that every person has a story with power, a voice with purpose, and a message that can create movement.

This week, we continue that conversation by exploring what happens after you decide to write.

We talk about the publishing journey, the fears many writers carry into the editing process, and why the right publishing team should protect your voice—not replace it.

One of the most powerful moments in this conversation comes when Lesley shares a childhood experience with a teacher and a red pen that shaped the way she now works with authors. As a former English teacher, I found myself deeply connecting with her story because it reinforces something I have believed for years:

Editing should never make a writer feel smaller.

It should help their story become clearer while keeping their voice completely intact.

We also explore legacy, community, authenticity, and why the stories we choose to share today may impact generations we will never meet.

Whether you're writing your first book or wondering if your story is worth telling, this conversation is a reminder that your experiences matter—not only for you, but for the people whose lives may be changed because you chose to share them.

• Common misconceptions about working with a publisher
• Why your story is already worthy before anyone else reads it
• Building trust between authors and publishers
• The danger of self-editing too early
• What makes a manuscript truly connect with readers
• The importance of protecting an author's authentic voice
• Lesley's unforgettable story about the red pen that shaped her philosophy as a publisher
• Why stories build community and preserve legacy
• How sharing your perspective can impact people you'll never meet
• Why your story isn't just for you

"Your story is already worthy."

"Stories are legacy builders."

"Stories build community."

"Your perspective is your story."

"You don't need permission for your perspective."

"One rock thrown into a lake creates a ripple effect."

"You are the actor or actress in your story... but it's not just for you."

Lesley George is a bestselling publisher, confidence coach, speaker, author, and founder of Mosaic Publishing.

Website: https://www.themosaicinc.com

Social Media Handles: Lesley George

email: [email protected]

She is passionate about helping authors share their stories with confidence while protecting their authentic voices throughout the publishing process.

You can also listen to her podcast:

Mosaic Sparks with Lesley George

If this conversation encouraged you, I'd love for you to follow The Edit, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with another writer who needs the reminder that their story matters.

And remember...

Your story without your voice is only words.

"Every person has a story with power, a voice with purpose, and a message that can create movement when it is used with courage and clarity." — Lesley George

What gives us permission to tell our stories?

For many writers, it isn't a lack of ideas that keeps them stuck—it's a lack of confidence. We question whether our stories matter, whether anyone will care, or whether we're qualified to write the book that's been on our hearts.

In this first half of my conversation with bestselling publisher, confidence coach, and founder of Mosaic Publishing, Lesley George, we explore the connection between confidence and storytelling, why authentic voice matters more than perfection, and how sharing our stories can create a ripple effect far beyond what we ever imagine.

Lesley shares the philosophy behind her movement, The BRAGG—Be Responsible for Amplifying God's Gifts—and explains why celebrating the gifts we've been given isn't arrogance at all. It's stewardship.

We also discuss writing, publishing, authenticity, the role of AI, and why every writer deserves the freedom to tell their story in their own voice.

Whether you're just beginning your first manuscript or wondering if your story is worth sharing, this conversation is a reminder that your voice matters.

• Why confidence is one of the biggest obstacles writers face
• The meaning behind Lesley's BRAGG philosophy: Be Responsible for Amplifying God's Gifts
• Why every person's story has value
• How authenticity creates deeper connections with readers
• Why authors should resist sharing early drafts with too many people
• The difference between confidence and arrogance
• How AI fits into the writing process—and where authentic voice can never be replaced
• Why your book should still sound like you when you stand on a stage years later
• Building a legacy through honest storytelling
• How writing your story gives others permission to share theirs

"Be Responsible for Amplifying God's Gifts."

"BRAGG has nothing to do with being arrogant. It's about showing up as who God created you to be."

"Your story needs to come from you."

"Authentic voice means you can get up anywhere in the world and be yourself."

"When you write a book, you're leaving a legacy."

Podcast: Mosaic Sparks with Lesley George

Website: https://www.themosaicinc.com

Social Media Handles: Lesley George

email: [email protected]

Follow Lesley on social media to learn more about her work as a publisher, confidence coach, speaker, and bestselling author.

This conversation was simply too good to fit into one episode.

In Part Two, Lesley and I continue our discussion by exploring what writers often misunderstand about publishing, why every story is already worthy, how to build a publishing relationship based on trust, and the childhood experience that forever shaped the way she works with authors today.

You won't want to miss it.

If you enjoyed today's episode, I'd love for you to follow The Edit, leave a rating and review, and share this episode with another writer who needs the reminder that their story matters.

And remember...

Your story without your voice is only words.