This memoir is the story of everything that came before the relationship that lasted.

Told through a series of meaningful relationships, Before Love Stayed explores how depression, anxiety, and unresolved childhood wounds quietly shaped the way love was chosen, held, and often released. Each chapter reflects a season of becoming; times when connection felt close but never quite settled, when fear spoke louder than desire, and when leaving felt safer than staying.

Rather than focusing on heartbreak alone, this book centers the inner work happening beneath the surface: learning to sit with discomfort, recognizing patterns without shame, and slowly understanding that love doesn’t arrive fully formed, it waits for us to be ready to receive it.

This is a story for women who loved deeply while still learning themselves, and who eventually discovered that love didn’t fail, it simply hadn’t stayed yet.

Behind the Spine Podcast Show Notes

Welcome to the Behind the Spine podcast. I'm La'Toya Guillory, Intentional Leadership & Author Coach and Founder of The Intentional Author LLC. Each episode, I pull back the curtain on the writing, publishing, and author-building journey to help you move from "I've always wanted to write a book" to "I'm officially an author."

Your Next Step Starts Here

Join The Author's Pathway Masterclass If you're staring at a blank page, trying to figure out your publishing options, or wondering how to turn your book into something bigger, you're in the right place. My goal is to help you stop spinning your wheels and start making intentional progress.

You'll learn the stages of the author journey, avoid common mistakes, and walk away with a clearer understanding of what it takes to move your book from idea to reality.

⁠Register Here⁠

Location: Google Meet

Book a Free Author Consultation Every author's journey is different. If you're unsure which service, coaching package, or publishing path is right for you, let's have a conversation. During your consultation, we'll discuss where you are, where you want to go, and what your next best step looks like.

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Connect With Me La'Toya Guillory Intentional Leadership & Author Coach Founder, The Intentional Author LLC

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About The Intentional Author The Intentional Author is where I help authors write, publish, and grow their books. I offer author coaching, editing, book design, publishing support, and marketing guidance.

If you need help with your book, visit The Intentional Author to learn more about my services and coaching programs. Until next time, keep writing, keep believing in your story, and remember: your book won't write itself, but you don't have to figure it out alone.

Resources I Actually Use:

Tertulia

Looking for another place to discover books and get your book in front of more readers? Tertulia is a great resource for authors and book lovers. I recommend checking it out as you continue building your author platform and getting your work in front of readers.

⁠Check out Tertulia⁠

Entreprenistas Building a business takes more than having a good idea. I love finding resources that help women continue learning, growing and building businesses with intention. Entreprenistas is one of those resources I recommend checking out.

⁠Explore Entreprenistas⁠

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links shared in this episode are affiliate links. If you choose to use one, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only share resources I believe are valuable to my audience.