Greetings,
As a writer, I should probably hate it when people who aren't actually writers by trade get books published, and to be fair, sometimes, I do hate that. Because sometimes, the books are awful or pointless or both. I believe we all remember...The Tinkerbell Hilton Diaries. Yeah, let's all be thankful that the good Lord did not smite our planet for that one. However, sometimes great things can come from giving even those who aren't technically writers a chance to tell their story. Such is the case with The Magnolia Story by Chip and Joanna Gaines.
If you don't know, Chip and Joanna Gaines are a lovely couple from Texas who make not so great houses into beautiful homes, and all of this is documented on the very successful HGTV show, Fixer Upper. As soon as the show started to air, many people fell in love with them, their family and the wonderful work that they do. So, naturally, with notoriety, comes a lot of questions and a lot of fans wanting to know their story. And what better way to share a story than put it on paper and stick it between two covers! Take that, e-readers.
The book starts out with a chapter about how their television show, and eventual fame, came to be. As expected, it is a unique and sweet story, and it shows how easily things can change for the better in our lives out of nowhere. After that, we learn about how they first met, which was a real life "Meet/Cute", because of course it was. They're Chip and Joanna Gaines. Of course, they had a real life "Meet/Cute"! We learn a few things about their lives before meeting, like Joanna having lived alone in New York City as an intern and all the business ventures that Chip was a part of in Texas, as well as some of the history of their respective families. And then, on to all the events of their life together, both personally and professionally. We get to hear about all the lovely ups and downs. When I say "ups", I mean things like their beautiful wedding and the births of their children, and when I say "downs", I mean that -Spoilers!- the words "microwaved dog pee" are in this book. Use your imagination.
The thing I like best about this book is that it really does feel like you're just sitting down with Chip and Jo, and they are telling you their story, face to face. The narrative actually goes back and forth between them, as though they're talking and you're listening. And it's done seamlessly, just through the words that are written. There's no color coding or anything, so you know who is saying what. But honestly, if you've ever heard them talk, you'll know exactly who is saying what. See, in my opinion, Joanna always sounds quite refined with the way she speaks, and Chip? Well, let's call Chip...'verbally rustic'. And it is charming as heck. Although, it kills me every time he says "You guyses" on the show. Cringe, Chip Carter Gaines. Cringe. But you're a good man. You do you.
So, all of that considered, when I got to the second chapter, I realized something. I think that is exactly what they did. I think they sat down with a tape recorder (or whatever the kids are using these days), told their story and then someone transcribed it into book form. Because, quite frankly - and I mean this in the BEST possible way - it doesn't feel overly professional. By that, I mean it does not feel like they told their story to some hired writer who made them sound not like themselves. Although, they did have the help of a guy named Mark Dagostino, who is a bestselling author, but this still sounds like it comes from no one but Chip and Joanna Gaines. And that was clearly the best way to do this.
Now I know we hear so much about "Hey, those two make a great couple", but with some couples, it would be safe to say that they are perfect for one another. I don't think I've ever seen that be so true than I have with the Gaines marriage. They have things in common, of course, but there are just enough differences so that they have a good balance. It's clear that Joanna likes to think things out and have a plan, which is good, because she clearly uses that asset to keep her husband in line, making sure he doesn't do anything too crazy. And Chip is obviously the one who helps keep the dreamer in his wife alive. There's a great story in the book about when they were thinking of starting the business, where Joanna said,"Someday" and Chip said, "Let's do it!". So, together, I feel like they have the motto of "Look before you leap. But don't be afraid to eventually leap". And because both of them and what they bring to the table were involved, they managed to become a success. In many ways.
On a personal note, anyone who reads this blog knows that I have been dealing with some very difficult times recently...and currently. Ironically, some of them have to do with the "house" that I live in. But watching this couple on their show, seeing how they help people and reading their story, it brings me a lot of joy and gives me so much hope, of which I am in desperate need. No one can deny that they are changing lives for the better and encouraging people they don't even know, just by being who they are and doing what they do. And I'm one of those people.
Bottom line, The Magnolia Story tells the beautiful journey of a husband and wife who work hard, who dream big and who have built a life on love and faith to keep them going. Whether you like them and what they do or not, Chip and Joanna Gaines are a wonderful example of what someone can be when they allow themselves to be nothing less than their best selves.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
