Brave Enough to Begin: A Glimpse into the Journey of Writing My First Book 'Heal Me - Sharing the Healing Power of Horses
- Rachael Jayne
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 8
Lately, I’ve been sitting in a swirl of feelings — the tender overwhelm of stepping into new territory, the quiet thrill of knowing a dream is becoming real, and the courage it takes to let something close to your heart be seen by others.After nearly two years of quietly tending to the pages of my book Heal Me – Sharing the Healing Power of Horses, I’m finally in the stage of bringing it out into the world. Right now, a few dear friends are lovingly editing my manuscript before it heads to a professional editor in September. It’s all starting to feel very real.
And real is exactly what I want this book to be. Just yesterday, I received my vey first feedback (terrifying - but a lovely big long exhale) from one of my early readers who said she “loved the authentic voice throughout — keeping it all very real.” That meant everything to me. Because being real — in writing, in life, in my business — is the heart of everything I do.
To be honest, I’ve felt a little overwhelmed by all the unknowns that come with self-publishing: finding the right person with the special touch to design the cover and interior (if you know someone, I’d love your recommendations!), Learning about publicity, marketing, printing, distribution, and all the surprisingly complex logistics. I’m diving into webinars and courses to understand this new world — because self-publishing, in all its entrepreneurial spirit, is the path that feels most aligned for me. It is also the path that’s calling me to grow exponentially, Thank goodness for the winter where my work with the horses is quiet, so I can be away productively on holiday. Weaving in lots of self care, while still attending to my book and business.
There’s a very particular kind of discomfort that comes when something deeply personal begins to grow wings. When something you’ve held close — a dream, a vision, a story — starts being seen. It’s vulnerable. It stretches you. But as I’ve learned with the horses, our edges are where the growth lives. And if we never lean into those edges, we stagnate.
This journey is teaching me that being brave doesn’t mean being fearless. It means listening to the quiet whispers of intuition and following them even when you can’t see the full path. It means staying connected to what ignites your inner flame, letting curiosity and childlike wonder keep the perfectionist and inner critic at bay. It means trusting that there’s beauty — and purpose — in the unknown.
Today, a new insight landed in my body: inflammation, for me, is resistance. The places I ache are often the places I’m gripping too tightly. And so I’m learning (again) to soften. To breathe. To trust.
I would love your help a little further down the track, if you are at all interested in purchasing the book in the pre-order marketing stage. It will make the most beautiful gift I think for women of all ages, people who love personal development, animal & horse lovers to name a few types of people who would match this book. Also, people curious about animal communication, or learning more about spiritual concepts to help them better understand themselves. As they healing toolbox is so comprehensive, I think people who want a new approach with their health and healing will love this book.
I would be beyond grateful if you would buy via the pre-order channel when it is created, as it gives traction to how many copies to be initially printed, if I do end up holding the printed copies. Do I order 1000, 5000 copies (rather huge investment)? Obviously, I want to sell gazilions, as would any budding new author full of excitement. I am realistic that it is my energy or that of a paid publicist that needs to behind the publicity to even make that a remote possibility. But why not aim for the stars, after such a labour of love.
Currently I am exploring whether I distribute and fulfil orders from despatch points overseas. Do I have any idea what I am doing??? Nope, but my knowledge is growing and I am having great conversations with ChatGBT and professionals to engage to help me.
Currently I am exploring the world of print on demand options which are amazing financially as you don't need to own the stock (yay - huge financial win). However, until I hold the first one of these in my hand, I won't know if this option is right. But for now, the pictures have been taken with the herd and they are beautiful showing the connection with the horses and clients, Some people will resonate most with the images, others will enjoy my story and spoken voice woven throughout, some will gain so much clarity from the channelled horse wisdom. A special part of the book is the client's stories of how their time with the herd impacted them and helped with what they had been navigating. As for the toolbox at the end of the book, there is a vast array of resources both traditional and holistic in nature to help people explore new possibilities on their healing journey. Who doesn't need a robust toolbox to navigate life on earth just now! Oh and I will definitely be doing an audio version, as I think the channelling and client stories will share beautifully through that medium. And currently, I don't know a thing about any of that process at all yet, but it is down the list a little way for now.
Why am I sharing all of this? Because I love learning about behind the scenes of what people are doing when they are being brave paving a new way forward for themselves. When we just see a shiny new course, book, product or service, we often don't think much of it or that it is effortless for the person who created it. I want to inspire you to follow those unclaimed gifts within you and bring them to life. If you’re reading this and there’s something stirring in you — an idea, a dream, a whisper — I hope you’ll take the first step. Write the first page. Make the first call. Explore and play. Be brave enough to begin. I liken it to riding my scooter or going over a jump on a horse, keep your eyes on what is ahead and the momentum will follow. If you look down and lose your trajectory it never ends well. It always amazes me how horses can feel where we are looking, which gives them the confidence to tackle a jump or a cross a scary bridge while out on a trail ride.
I know each time I have got bogged down in fear with regard to all things book writing, creating and learning a whole new industry, I have lost momentum. Then I dust myself off, get back on the proverbial horse and move a little further to birthing this book into the world.
With love and wild horse heart,
Rachael Jayne
Heart of the Horse
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