When I write, I ask people to reflect on three things: What did the piece make you think, feel, or compel you to do? My goal is to capture raw emotion, whether in personal writing or business contexts. I want genuine reactions, not what people think I want to hear. Does this make sense? Below is one reflection from an early reviewer of my upcoming memoir, Twice Over a Man: A Fierce Memoir of an Orphan Boy Who Doggedly Determined a Finer Life.

In the 1970s, psychologist Paul Eckman identified six basic emotions: happiness, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, and anger. He later expanded this list to include emotions like pride, shame, embarrassment, and excitement. More recently, a study by Alan S. Cowen and Dacher Keltner, Ph.D., of the University of California, Berkeley, suggests there are as many as 27 different categories of emotions. I'll let the experts debate the exact number, but I’m not surprised by the range of emotions reflected in my early reviewers and endorsers feedback on my book.

Take this reflection, for example:

Question: What did the chapters you read make you think, if anything?
Reflection: I had more questions...

• How did this man make it out?
• How can there be hope and light if you cannot see it?
• How many children are going through this very thing today?
• How many children are in a system that is still broken? Why is the system still broken?
• Who hears them?
• Who cares enough to make real change?
• Is there a God?

Question: What did the chapters you read make you feel, if anything?
Reflection: Anger gave way to light

• Anger
• Anxiety
• Fear
• Sadness
• Resentment (and sadness) for the mother
• Hatred for the abusive person
• Utter disgust with the social service system
• I had to remind myself multiple times that you survived (which brought light)

Question: What does this book, Twice Over a Man, compel you to do, if anything?
Reflection: Be better in how I approach the world

• Be a better human
• Give more than I take
• See people, really see people
• Be a voice for those who cannot
• Shine my light brightly for others to find a friend, confidant, and protector

What are your reflections on this post? Don’t overthink it, just share your perspective! Yes, I am asking you to have a point of view. You have one, so just share it!

Scoreboard – Update

I have 10 out of our target of 100 people who have signed up to help spread the word about the book. Thank you! Remember, if you have signed up on LinkedIn or Facebook, you have only committed to learn more. You may also be here because you are interested in reading the book. No matter why you are here, thank you. This is a place where I will work to enroll more people to read and discuss the book. I will be fielding questions about the book and the happenings on these channels and at orvinkimbrough.com.

To join and help:

1. Go to orvinkimbrough.com/contact
2. Provide your name and email address.
3. In the message box, write "Sign me up to be a Thrivers Club member."

As a Member of the Thrivers Club, You Are Asked to:

1. Read the book. The book costs $21.95 and will be available wherever books are sold beginning in September.
2. Engage 10 others to read the book as part of your team. Discuss the book with them, especially parts that resonate with your and their lives. We believe that after reading Twice Over a Man: A Fierce Memoir of an Orphan Boy Who Doggedly Determined a Finer Life, readers will be encouraged, inspired, and equipped with actionable strategies to shift their mindset and improve their lives.
3. Ask each of the 10 you engage to engage 10 more people. This is a crucial step, if we don’t ask, people will not act.

When we reach 10,000 people, Orvin will host one group digital author Q&A for you and the people you invite to read the book at a date to be determined. The first 100 will be invited to a private in-person reception and receive a discount on the book. Ten percent of the profits will go to support charity—a real full circle moment.