Post #72 – Women’s Memoirs, Author Conversations – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
A ruptured brain aneurysm, a doctor’s misdiagnosis, a coma. These events marked the beginning of Kim Justus’s story that she would eventually write. Her memoir is now available both as a Kindle ebook and a print book. Recently, Women’s Memoirs asked Kim about writing that memoir. Here’s what she shared with us:
Women’s Memoirs: Question #1. Kim. We noticed that it took you a long time to decide to write your memoir. Can you share with our readers when and why you finally decided it was time to write?
Kim Justus: It took me fifteen years to transform my old journal into a book. One reason was the episode was so horrific, that I just wanted to delete it from my memory. My desire was that I could “get back to normal” and try to forget that some of the events ever happened. In the journals there was a happy ending. Tragedy, recovery, then off into the sunset where true love resides. All stories should end that way, right?
I allowed the journal to collect dust in an old plastic bin in the basement, as life went on and the years stacked up. From time to time, my mom would pester me about digging the journal out and writing a book. She told me that people would be interested in my story, because it was a story of survival and divine intervention. I kept telling her, “maybe someday.” One aspect of my experience was undeniable. It changed my life. The illness, the insight bestowed by God, the lessons learned, and that I continue to learn. I shared my story sparingly over the years, but write a book and tell the world?
Two years ago, a friend suggested I join her at a meeting of her Writer’s group. She was a former English teacher. I went along, but when I found out that these people were current English instructors, past English instructors and published authors, I tried to gracefully back out. My background was in business. I wasn’t an English major or an author, so I didn’t think I fit in. Sure I had written a few poems in my time, but I certainly wasn’t on par with this group! The leader of the group looked me in the eye and said, “All you have to do is write. I know you have a story to tell, and the fact that you aren’t an English major, are what editor’s are for.” Every month he sent out an email reminder of our meeting, which he signed off with “Write On.” That email of David’s, my mom’s growing insistence, and an unexpected break in my schedule, convinced me that now was the time. My parents were a big part of my story, so if I was ever going to write a book, I wanted to do it while they were still alive to see my project come to fruition. That was four months ago.
Women’s Memoirs: Question #2. What was the most difficult part of writing your memoir?
Kim Justus: I used the excuse that I didn’t want to go digging for the journal for a long time, but one day I had a V-8 moment. This was MY story. I didn’t need the old journal. I just needed to sit down and “write on.” So I did. More information had been revealed in the time since I first penned those old pages in my journal. Now the facts came full circle, and this was my time. The project stirred up a lot of emotions, that I thought were long left behind. Forcing myself to re-experience the feelings from that time was very hard. I quit at least three times before I completed the project.
Women’s Memoirs: Question #3. Do you feel that writing your memoir changed you in some way?
Kim Justus: On some level I felt “called” to finally share my experience with a larger audience. I was shown something that few people ever experience. What I saw was an enduring gift, wrapped in a morbid slice of life. I forged on, somewhere finding the strength to look back, feel the feelings, and complete my memoir. I believe the exercise was cathartic, but also affirming. The satisfaction of actually stepping up to the plate and seeing it through, feels wonderful.
Women’s Memoirs: Question #4. Thank you Kim for telling us about your experiences writing your memoir. I have one more question. I wonder if you have any advice for women who are now working on their memoir or who are considering starting one?
Kim Justus: I know that everyone has a story inside of them. Some just think about it, and some are moved to actually write it down. I encourage anyone who has seriously entertained the idea to make it a priority. We only have one life to grab all the experiences we can. Someone will always learn from our efforts, and I really believe that each of us can make a difference in the lives of others. This is one of those things I won’t have to look back on thinking, “What if,” because now it is.
I’d be glad to have you contact me about my memoir. You can reach me through my website. I hope as many have touched my life with their words, that I might do the same for you.
