Did I say I was writing an addiction memoir? Actually, it's a work of "fiction" loosely based on lived events, and any similarity between my characters and actual living people is purely coincidental, so put all litigious thoughts far from your mind.

Basically, I am beginning my long and rewarding journey straight to Oprah's comfy-looking couch. What are the two things that Oprah Winfrey simply cannot resist? Duh, stories of hope and recovery (that's one) and books (another!). And so I will be charting my personal voyage into the midnight valley of despair and addiction.... through the wilderness of lost hours and missed opportunities, and of a burning, private shame..... and finally, a message of hope, and of healing: my trek up the mountain of recovery, and the lessons learned thereby (haven't quite made it to that part yet).

Anyway, like I said, I haven't actually started writing this inspiring Book Club selection, and if anyone wants to help me get started (for free, of course), please be my guest. Suggestions and constructive criticism are always welcome (and no, Samantha, you cannot play yourself in the movie version, and it's not really based on you anyway, it's fictionalized), as are personal, uncopyrighted stories of adversity and triumph.