2 book ideas

It's almost time to start working on a manuscript

After 7-8 months of ideating and brainstorming, I have two ideas, two central themes, to build books around. The ideas overlap, but they probably work best as separate stories. It might sound silly, but a podcast interview which led me to a lovely book about writing and publishing non-fiction was just the little boost I needed. Of course, there’s still a lot left to do, but I finally feel like I have clarity that will help inform and refocus my writing. I am excited to share these ideas with you, along with some timelines and next steps.

But first, a quick word on this Substack. As we move further into 2025, some changes are coming to Unflappable. I’ll probably keep the name, but after a lot of reflection (and some anxious dithering), I’ve realized I need to turn up the contrast and zoom in on a key theme, just like I’ll be doing as I map out and begin drafting my book. Ultimately, I want my book to find its way to readers like you, and for that to happen, I need to grow this platform. I’ll have more details to share soon as I build out a growth strategy.

Okay, book ideas! Let’s dive in.

Big idea 1: Be grateful for all the ways life and major surgery will change you

This isn’t going to be a typical cancer memoir. It’s not really a cancer memoir at all. The story is about what happens further downstream, past diagnosis and treatment, to the outcomes that you don’t expect. Often, the goal of oncological interventions is curative treatment - getting to remission and staying there. For many forms of cancer this goal is achievable. But for others, like the rare cancer I was diagnosed with, there are no known cures. Life revolves around mitigating damage, excising the maladaptive tumors when they regrow, protecting what remains. The treatments sometimes end up causing other problems that complicate matters, requiring difficult choices and sacrifices.

I never imagined so much of my life would be entangled with an incurable disease - a random and rare cancer - and that treating it would radically change my life. I’ve been on this journey for 10 years now, and if I had to sum it up with a single word, it would be, simply this: gratitude. Yes, I am grateful this happened. All of it. All of the pain and suffering, the doubt and anxiety, the close proximity to my own mortality. Cancer and reconstructive surgery have altered the course of my life and I am grateful because I am better for it.

In this book, I will explore the slow and unexpected processes of change. The way damage, as well as compassion, can accumulate over time, reshaping you into a different person. I’ll delve into the science of modern reconstructive surgery and the providers I’ve met along the way. And I’ll share what I’ve learned about becoming more resilient, more present, seeing clearly how short life is, and using that awareness to do big things.

Big idea 2: Life is short, learn how to fly

Have you ever dreamed of flying like a bird, of soaring through the sky, untethered to the earth below? This is something you can do, and in fact, you should do it. You should learn how to fly, because life is short and you may not get another chance. After 10 years of dreaming, I finally learned how to fly. My life changed, and yours could too.

Most people are familiar with skydiving and its cousin - the wing suit. But this isn’t what I’m talking about. The sort of flying you should learn doesn’t require a plane or an engine, just the right terrain, weather, and a decent amount of training. Paragliding is a sport that nearly anyone can learn. The magic and lightness of free flight is unlike any experience a modern human can have. It’ll change your life, I can almost guarantee it.

Paragliding alters your perspective, in the air and on the ground. My story is about finally taking to the skies, finally learning how to fly after years of dreaming about it. So many things kept getting in the way - especially cycles of cancer, surgery, and recovery. I wondered if I would live long enough to fulfill my dream. But finally, with help and guidance, I made the leap. Along the way, I made some amazing friends and found a community of people who share the unique gift of flight. Join me on this exciting and improbable journey about overcoming challenges, facing fears, and taking flight.

What’s next

I want to turn both of these ideas into books, eventually. But I need to pick one idea and get started. I already have one in mind - can you guess which one? Did you guess big idea 2? Well you’re right. I love the idea of writing a science-heavy memoir, and Becca Fogg’s Beautiful Trauma was inspiring. But I suspect that the research component of a book like this would require a serious time investment. I’m not sure I could realistically produce a manuscript in 6-8 months time, while also working.

Speaking of timelines, here’s what I’m thinking:

• Book is mapped, outlined, and structured (in progress now) - finish by mid January

• Produce 50-60k word manuscript - mid/late August 2025

• Initial self-edit complete - early/mid September 2025

I’ve mentioned before that I want you, my dear readers, to be a part of this process. I don’t know exactly what this will look like, but it’s certainly possible I will be able to share chapter samples with paid subscribers. I also like the idea of having a handful of folks act as beta readers, spending time with the manuscript once it’s gone through an initial edit.

So, what do you think about all of this? Are you ready to start a memoir writing journey with me? Are you ready to help me grow this little newsletter, and eventually publish a book?