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Jessie Faerber's hopes and dreams for 2019
Jessie Faerber published More Than Just Pretty this year. We caught up with her about writing and future plans.
You published More Than Just Pretty this year. How has 2018 been for you?
2018 has been full of hard work, determination, revelation and shock (probably!). At the beginning of the year I was so excited for the release of More Than Just Pretty into the wild after a couple of years of it being in the making. I felt pretty clueless as to the process it had to undertake and learnt a lot about persistence along the way!
Writing a book isn’t easy. Publishing a book also isn’t easy. When it came to ‘publication month’ I had a mini-panic about MTJP being released to everyone and anyone and very apprehensive as to what the response would be. God took me on another little (big) journey of letting go of any need of affirmation from other people. I came to trusting that God would bring it to fruition and do with it what he willed, and that was enough for me.
It was such a blessing and privilege to release More Than Just Pretty from my hands, my head, my heart and my laptop and hand it over to the girls who need to read it. When I now flick back through the pages I’m reminded of just how much God spoke to me and through me using that book. In other words, I have no idea how I did it. God held it all along.
The response to More Than Just Pretty has been overwhelmingly positive. What’s been your favourite thing a reader has done for you?
As I said, releasing myself from the need of any affirmation was the most empowering thing I could have done in the lead up to publication! I never expected a reader to do anything for me, that wasn’t the point. My prayer was just that the book would find its way into the hands of girls who need it most and that God would speak to them through it.
What has been a total, unexpected, delight is receiving messages, emails, tweets and Instagrams’ about the impact the book has had on people! The messages were from strangers and close friends and each was uniquely distinctive and, special. Hearing personal stories has brought it all to life in such a spectacular way, a way I never expected. This has just been a bonus along the way! And one I am so grateful for.
How has your book empowered you as a woman and youth worker?
Before More Than Just Pretty was published, I had a big worry of ‘is it good enough?’ and ‘is it worthy of being published?’. It’s a very scary thing to share your heart and soul, and so much of your personal story, in a book. The response from people has proven that our story can be the key to unlock other people’s prisons. Our story is powerful and it’s worthy of being shared, no matter how vulnerable and exposing that may feel. Our story matters because other people’s story matters.
I held onto the fact that girls desperately need to hear truth; they needed it yesterday and they need it today because it can transform their tomorrow (even in the tiniest of ways), and I still hold onto this truth.
What’s been your favourite book you’ve read this year?
I’ve read so many books this year that I couldn’t possibly choose a favourite (sorry)! On my wishlist for 2019 is Dare To Lead by Brene Brown (you’ll know I’m a fan if you’ve read my book!) and The Discomfort Zone by Farrah Storr because I was to lead and live fearlessly. It won’t take me long to get through those, so do send over any recommendations, I’d gladly receive them!
What do you look forward to most in 2019?
In 2019, I look forward to engaging with more opportunities off the back of More Than Just Pretty and exploring new, creative, digital ways to engage with the old, current and new readers through the website and blog!