327: Unveiling Healing Stories—A Ghostwriter's Approach to Authentic Storytelling

Getting Unstuck – Cultivating Curiosity

Guest Gail Harris is a Certified ghostwriter specializing in women’s memoirs. She is an IPNE (Independent Publishers of New England) Book Award Finalist for the memoir FINDING ZOE. She collaborates with authors who have risen above life’s challenges and have a journey to share. Gail values the cathartic nature of storytelling in that our reflections and takeaways are life-changing, both for the author and those who read her book. She experiences first-hand how an author’s personal story of healing is universal—that what sets us apart pales against what brings us together. Gail inspires women to write their memoirs to heal, leverage their businesses, and fulfill their unique calling of self-expression. She founded Golden Ghostwriting and is the author of the self-help book YOUR HEART KNOWS THE ANSWER: How to Trust Yourself and Make the Choices That are Right For You. Summary

Gail Harris explains her role as helping women authors share their personal narratives, emphasizing their vulnerability and the healing aspects of the process. Gail believes that storytelling has the power to foster connection, shared humanity, and personal growth.

Her ghostwriting approach involves in-depth interviews, identifying unique story elements, and collaborative manuscript development. Gail recounts a project where she interviewed multiple individuals to capture a comprehensive narrative, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives.

The conversation also touches on the impact of uncovering personal and family histories, as exemplified by Jeff's experience of learning new details about his mother's past. Throughout the discussion, Gail underscores the transformative potential of sharing personal stories for both authors and readers, promoting self-love and deeper understanding.

Three critical lessons:

1. Staying present in the moment can help reduce worry and maintain composure.

2. Sharing personal stories can be a powerful tool for healing and fostering connections.

3. Considering multiple perspectives enriches storytelling and provides valuable context.

Social Media

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-harris-269a219/

https://goldenghostwriting.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lyOp5KOyvo

About Jeff

Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.

Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.

Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.