Reluctant Rebel: Reading From the Memoir

Thursday, August 21, 2025

Reading From the Memoir

I posted this on JMG (Joe.My.God.) a couple of days ago:

Didn’t sleep well, but rarely do. It’s mostly aches and pains that keep me awake. But tonight I’m in a funky mood.

I’ve been preparing to do a reading from my memoir at our local library on Wednesday evening. They feature a different resident author each month. It’s a very small town where just about everyone knows everyone though I generally try to keep a low profile.

Trying to choose what to read and how much of my naked self to share has been harder than I thought it would be.

It’s brought up a whole lot of emotions and a few tears. In some respect it will be like coming out all over again, even though I am “out” and have been for a long time. (Hubs and I have a big rainbow flag out front for all to see.)

I’ve committed to the reading. I just hope I can get through it without too much anxiety.

 Here are the comments to my post:

xreretiree:
Good luck. Keep in mind that the people who will be there really care about you and are genuinely interested in your life.

Dazzer:
Is that Did You Ever See A Horse Go By? It's a good book and very well written.
I can understand the anxiety, but please add a little pride (!) to your mix of feelings. More people deserve to read it.

RRebel to Dazzer:
Thank you so very much for your kind words. I will definitely keep that in mind and try to focus more on pride as I expose my soul to the world.  

stuckinthewoods:
You can be proud of the work. Your Bob would be too. We have our own "Bobs" as well, actually also named Bob. I haven't read it in a long while but remember it took me right back to that time.

Dazzer:  
You have a lot of soul - so have a lot of choices about what to reveal. Best of luck :-) 

sillhouette 🐌:
i wish you luck. try not to panic. hugs.

I posted this last evening, August 20, 2025

I just got home from the town library where I did a reading from my memoir “Did You Ever See A Horse Go By — A Coming Out Memoir”. (DO NOT BUY THE KINDLE BOOK- I Never see a penny. Read it FREE on Blogger)

A few days ago I mentioned how preparing for the reading was bringing up a whole lot of emotions. And this afternoon when I read the excerpts out loud to check how much time it took, I was again in tears several times.

I was having second thoughts but I remembered the encouragement and support I received from several JMG readers and I went into the library this evening with PRIDE. There were about 20 people who showed up (several of my neighbors) and was able to get through the reading with confidence and pride.

I was well received and people’s comments were very positive and heartfelt. It was another coming out.

Coming out is a life long process. Thank everyone here who offered me support and encouragement some days ago. Thanks.

And comments:

Dazzer:
So happy for you. Well done!!!!

bJason:
… Congratulations on a great experience. Coming out is indeed a life long process and it is important.

JCF:
Yay! Yay You!!!

M:
Wonderful.

StarGmom:
Glad it went well!

I also learned that one of the women at the reading has not only read the book but has shared it with her gay son and his partner who have in turn shared it with some of their gay friends. I'm learning that others have read it as well (see some of the comments) and that is a boost I needed.