245: Writing a Book and Sharing Your Story (On Your Own Terms) with Laura DuBois

Have you always wanted to write a book? Or do you have a story you’re not sure you’re allowed to tell? My longtime client Laura DuBois just did both, and I’m so excited to celebrate her new memoir, The Picked Lock, here on the show.

The Picked Lock is Laura’s story of growing up with the rule that what happens in the house stays in the house, and of learning to recognize when a relationship isn’t right for you anymore (or maybe never was). Writing it meant doing a lot of inner work first: getting through the fear of telling a story that wasn’t only hers, and finally giving herself permission to tell it. What she found on the other side, in her words, is that she can breathe. She can show up as fully herself, in her life and in her business.

Laura didn’t start out thinking of this book as part of her business. It began as something she needed to do for herself. Somewhere along the way, it became a way for people to understand not just who she is, but why she is, and the kind of coach that makes her. That shift is something so many coaches, teachers and experts can learn from, whether you’re writing a book, building a talk, or deciding how much of your own story to share.

Listen to learn more about:

• How to decide what’s yours to share when your story involves other people
• The difference between secrecy and privacy
• How unspoken family “rules” can keep you quiet long into adulthood
• What happens when you can finally say out loud the thing you couldn’t say for years
• How years of personal journals can become the source material for a memoir
• How a book written for yourself can become part of your coaching business, from speaking to book clubs
• Why sharing your story helps the right clients find you

If you’ve ever thought “someday I’ll write a book,” or you have a story you’ve been holding in, this one is for you.

Get The Picked Lock: Available for pre-order now and out October 26 in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audiobook. Want a signed copy? Get one directly from Laura.

https://www.headcoachlauradubois.com/book-pre-order-checkout-page

Have a book club? There are discussion questions in the back of the book, and Laura would love to join you, on Zoom or in person.

Find Laura: https://www.headcoachlaura.com/

Ready to talk about working together? Book a call with me to talk about one-on-one coaching or joining the Passionate & Prosperous Academy: https://my.timetrade.com/book/DFGVN

Looking for free support right now? There's a whole resources page on my website: https://www.staceybrassrussell.com/resources