An Interview With Jake Frankel
Make your book accessible using simple and clear language, making it more appealing to read and finish.
As a part of my series about “How to write a book that sparks a movement” I had the pleasure of interviewing the author of MY JOURNAL, Maggie Maris.
Maggie Maris is an author, life coach, and founder of Maggie’s Way, a methodology in the mental well-being field focusing on people under significant pressure in our current society. Her first book, MY JOURNAL, is set for release in February 2024. In the book, Maggie outlines the tools and inspiration to create a personal roadmap to self-awareness and happiness.
Thank you so much for joining us! Can you share the “backstory” of how you grew up?
I let my thoughts guide me throughout my life, and I was unhappy for a long time because I believed those thoughts. Things started going wrong for me at a young age because I had undiagnosed dyslexia and ADHD, which led to poor performance in school. I thought my whole life that I was dumb. Everyone around me said that since I was a child, so I believed it, too. Because of that, I had a poor self-image. Things were also difficult at home, leading me to develop survival mechanisms: I exhibited extreme people-pleasing and perfectionistic behavior. I always tried to seek validation and prove I was good enough.
Around that time, my father also passed away, and my world collapsed. I underwent psychological testing, revealing diagnoses such as borderline, depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Most of it turned out not to be accurate. I started with burnout, which resulted in extreme depression for years. I ultimately had a total nervous breakdown. Nothing worked anymore; I was completely blocked and burned out. It was a very tough time.
I was hospitalized for seven weeks, and doctors added more and more pills. After a suicide attempt and a new diagnosis, this time borderline, I ended up in a clinic where they tried their best, but it didn’t help either. In addition to the conventional medical path, I simultaneously followed an alternative path. I went on a personal quest to find the answers to why I felt so bad. Without healing, I started to follow my path, leading me to discover who I really am and what made me happy. The most important result is that I started to stand up and advocate for myself for the first time, which formed the basis of Maggie’s Way.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story?
When I was younger, I wasn’t a fan of reading books because of my dyslexia and ADHD. However, after my awakening and recovery, I started reading more and more in small steps, putting no pressure on myself. Then I came across the books Dearing Greatly by Renee Brown, Why by Simon Sinek, Chimp Paradox by Dr. Steve Peters, Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins, Ikigai by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia, and Wabi Sabi by Beth Kempton.
I became increasingly curious and felt excited to learn more about the transformations we can make within ourselves to improve the quality of our lives. These books were eye-openers to me.
What was the moment or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
I’ve always had a big heart, and when I finally became happy, I wanted to help others with the knowledge and experience I had gained. My daughter often came to me with friends who were struggling, asking, “‘Mom, can you help her? She’s not feeling well.” I did that with love. I talked to them and asked them questions. Those girls truly came to life. At some point, I started to wonder: what exactly am I doing? I started writing that down and figuring it out. That’s how a method emerged that I became increasingly excited about. I learned so much from my own experiences, and figuring out how I healed myself, I became an expert on life. It was amazing when I realized I had so much knowledge. I got so excited about the idea of sharing everything. I wanted to reach as many people as possible who were not doing well. I envisioned a book containing everything that had helped me, where people could work on themselves from their safe space at home. Because I now know how nice it is to feel good, and I wish that for everyone. That’s how MY JOURNAL was born.
What impact did you hope to make when you wrote this book?
Everyone is unique and needs something different, but we constantly compare ourselves to others and often secretly prefer to be someone else. We lose touch with ourselves. What do you like? Who are you? What suits you? These are such important questions. What is your passion? All the answers are already within ourselves; the key is inside. That’s exactly my approach to the book. That self-exploration that allows you to find yourself. What I find most important is those limiting beliefs that we all have; they prevent us from reaching our full potential. So, it’s essential to find out who you are. I want people to start thinking about possibilities and learn to deal with setbacks. I often get feedback from people who, when they start working with MY JOURNAL, say that their perception of themselves and the world changes immensely. That is eye-opening and life-changing. I have changed so many lives already with this book and hope to continue to do so with so many more. I hope my impact is to make the world better and let people love themselves and their lives.
Did the actual results align with your expectations? Can you explain?
Even better than expected. I had written my own manual and realized everyone writes their own. I hear from many people who have completed MY JOURNAL about how it has positively changed their lives. They achieved their goals and dreams because of this awareness process. Then, I think, “Wow, it’s such a cool book.” Incredibly accessible for all ages and every individual, struggling or not, simple but succinct. It offers a solution to a very broad spectrum of problems (depression, burnout, low self-image, insecurities, unhealthy lifestyles, unclear career goals, addictions, etc.). It all boils down to the same problem: people don’t love and respect themselves and don’t have the self-knowledge of how to improve that. So, the results are even better than I hoped.
What moment let you know that your book had started a movement? Please share a story.
There was this one girl who had already come to my coaching sessions for three months. Then, MY JOURNAL came out, and she started the book. I saw how the book began to change her while she was doing it. I saw the shifts in her perspective, and she began to realize what genuinely made her happy and see the possibilities. After completing the book, she was so excited to pursue her dream, so she did. She moved to Paris to study and work in the city she had always dreamed of, but she had always seen limitations because she hadn’t thought of possibilities. Because of the book, she discovered what was possible in her life and her capabilities. At that moment, I realized I could change lives with MY JOURNAL. That was such a cool and amazing feeling.
What kinds of things did you hear right away from readers? What are the most frequent things you hear from readers about your book now? Are they the same? Different?
Right away, everyone discovered they could be the director of their own life and create their own happiness. That they can change the things that they don’t like. They discover what their priorities in life are. Everything in life becomes more fun, positive, and beautiful.
Now, I hear that book is a coach they always have with them. People really like that they can read back their thoughts, to refresh their memory or to see how much they have grown. Sometimes, they see that they have changed so much that they want to fill it out again! Because life is an ongoing progress.
What is the most moving or fulfilling experience you’ve had as a result of writing this book? Can you share a story?
That one girl who was extremely depressed, stressed, had anxiety, and even attempted to commit suicide completed MY JOURNAL and is now happier than she has ever been. She is a shining star now who enjoys life to the fullest. To this day, she is so grateful that it saved her life.
Have you experienced anything negative? Do you feel there are drawbacks to writing a book that starts such colossal conversation and change?
The only negative thing is if people stop the process because it is uncomfortable or too overwhelming. Readers find out they have to do the work (mentally and physically), and their lives won’t change automatically.
Can you articulate why you think books in particular have the power to create movements, revolutions, and true change?
Books can create self-recognition within people, which creates deep interest and a spark. They can find out what drives them and find their power, which will result in change and movement.
What is the one habit you believe contributed the most to you becoming a bestselling writer? (i.e. perseverance, discipline, play, craft study)
The order within my book. MY JOURNAL contains four parts, and the key to success is following the order:
1. Believing in change
2. Who am I?
3. Taking care of yourself,
4. The Plan
When reading the book, you start with the most crucial part of a life-changing experience: “believe you can change” your life. Then, they find out who they are internally, what brings them happiness, and what they are good at. Once they know what is good for them, they can provide that for themselves, leading us to number three: actually doing what they like and standing up for themselves. Self-confidence and self-love start by taking care of themselves. The last part is making a clear action plan for their goals and dreams.
What challenge or failure did you learn the most from in your writing career? Can you share the lesson(s) that you learned?
I want to share so badly that my book is a miracle book. But only the ones who have done it know what I am talking about. People need to experience it to believe it. I find it challenging that some people are not open to starting the book because their ‘pain’ isn’t big enough, or they don’t make the time to start or finish it. Many people think the book will not be their solution, but I can tell you, it will!
Many aspiring authors would love to make an impact similar to what you have done. What are the 5 things writers need to know if they want to spark a movement with a book?
- Focus the book on the readers: think about their perspective and needs.
- Ask the readers questions that will make them think. This will start an awareness process and teach them how to apply things in their lives. Because everybody is different.
- Make your book accessible using simple and clear language, making it more appealing to read and finish.
- Write the book with a warm and loving tone of voice so that the readers feel loved and heard.
- Motivate and encourage them to want to learn and grow.
The world, of course, needs progress in many areas. What movement do you hope someone (or you!) starts next? Can you explain why that is so important?
Awareness. Awareness of how your actions impact your life. Creating awareness of life’s pitfalls so that they don’t fall into those traps, For example, addictions, alcohol, phone, working hard, etc. Enabling them to lead a strong and happy life. Awareness of the beauty of life: people, nature, passions, etc.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Instagram: @maggies.way
Tiktok: @maggies.way
LinkedIn: @Maggie Maris
Website: Maggiesway.nl
Thank you so much for these insights. It was a true pleasure to do this with you.
Maggie Maris Of Maggie’s Way On How To Write A Book That Sparks A Movement was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.