Writing a book on Leaving Jehovah's Witnesses - suggestions welcome

by truthseeker 7 Replies latest jw friends

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  truthseeker

  Hello all,

  So I finally decided to start writing a book on exiting Jehovah's Witnesses. I've been meaning to do this for a very long time. There are so many books out there and I don't want to repeat what everyone else has written.

  Although the book will include some basic history of Jehovah's Witnesses and the usual doctrinal flaws, it's core audience are those who are thinking about leaving, in the process of leaving or have already left.

  The book will contain case studies of people who've left and made a success of their life. Some who have already left have written to me giving permission to use their success story as a case study.
  

  If you would like to submit your success story, I would be glad to accept it, though due to the book size there are limitations on how many case studies I can include. I will not use your real name unless you specifically say otherwise.

  The book will focus on different types of situations that leavers find themselves in:

  1) A teenager living at home with witness parents who knows the truth is a lie and wants out

  2) The married elder who has woken up but must go through the motions of living "the truth"
  

  3) A wife who has woken up and all her family is in the truth

  4) Fence sitters who aren't quite sure what to do

  5) Those considering reinstatement to maintain family ties and friendships

  Truthseeker
  
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  Wake Me Up Before You Jo-Ho

  Wow. Number two sounds like a section of the book I would love to read! When I heard of disaffected Circuit Overseers leaking his documents, I was stunned that someone operating at that capacity in the organization could be awake, yet still "going through the motions", as you described it. It sounds like you're putting together something really interesting! Best of luck.
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  stuckinarut2

  Looking forward to this!

  Great idea
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  zeb

  Please, keep your discussions brief. Don't ramble on nor 'quote' the reader to death. avoid giving some one a name then saying not their real name. This is so stupid and makes for a broken gated flow of information. Use a first initial.

  Might include a chapter of the wt attitudes to intimacy and then discuss hm marriages went to the wall because of wt interference in the bedroom.

  I wish you well.
  
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  truthseeker

  Thank you for your comments. I will definitely take them to heart. There are so many complicated situations witnesses who want to leave find themselves in.
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  scratchme1010

  The situations in your list look very simple and unidimentional. Stories stating only what you list sound over-told and flat. What would make your stories stand out? Also, how would you approach the audience that has been conditioned to dismiss information like that without thinking twice?

  Also, I don't see any social content in it. Any of them divorcing, has a chronic disease, faces financial hardship, is submitted to domestic violence, faces moral/financial/emotional/access issues over an unwanted pregnancy... there aren't many details in your post, but the people you are writing for should see themselves or relate to their stories.

  My two cents.
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  truthseeker

  Hi scratchme,

  i kept it generic but will take your advice. I want to cover as many groups and situations as I can.
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  jp1692

  #2 - That was me for sevenish years. Tried to get out with my family, but eventually just left by myself. The pressure of pretending to believe things you don't and to be someone you're not is incredible.