What does it take to turn half a century of journaling into a single, unforgettable story? In this episode, NoNaMe Storytellers welcomes Ken Inadomi, author of The Pen & The Mirror, to share how he transformed 50 years, 146 journals, and nearly 6 million words into a deeply personal memoir about wisdom, vulnerability, and legacy.
What began as a conversation with his daughter Molly evolved into a full creative collaboration with his wife Melinda, a team of beta readers, and writing coach Scott James—resulting in a manuscript that changed by nearly 50% through feedback and revision. With developmental and copy editing from Sarah Beckham and the support of Pioneering Collective, Ken shaped decades of private reflection into a work that now speaks to generations.
The Pen & The Mirror has since become a 3x Amazon Best Seller in Journaling, Mid-Atlantic Memoir, and Mid-Life Self Help—a testament to what happens when vulnerability meets craft.
If you missed Ken’s virtual book launch, catch the replay here: keninadomi.com/news/virtual-book-launch
And grab your copy of The Pen & The Mirror here: https://www.amazon.com/Pen-Mirror-Wisdom-Years-Journaling/dp/B0FP6YDZL1
Keywords: Journaling, memoir writing, storytelling, wisdom, reflection, Upper West Side, family, vulnerability, authenticity, legacy, beta readers, writing coach, Scott James, Sarah Beckham, Pioneering Collective, Ken Inadomi, The Pen & The Mirror, creative process, intergenerational stories, editing, Amazon Best Seller, personal growth, Raymond Carver, Akira Odani, Steven Pressfield, The War of Art, IngramSpark.
Enigma by Kevin MacLeod is licensedunder a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100241
Artist: http://incompetech.com/