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Original poster

To think about writing a book around my crazy life?!

258 replies

itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 12:35

So I’ve been talking to some colleagues today, just general chit chat but it ended up going down the route of my life and how crazy it’s been.

I’m only young but ive been through a lot in my life 🫠 and recently managed to escape a very narcissistic ex and horrendous marriage, full of control, emotional issues etc.

my colleague very seriously suggested that I think about writing and publishing a book - and it really did get me thinking…

Ive always loved reading, I have an English lit & lang degree, and I adore writing (copywriter by trade)

I guess my question is, where and how would I start?! Is it really feesable and is there a market for actually making money from all the work you put into writing?

Also, is someone’s literal life story something you would want to read? Granted it’s pretty full on and dramatic 🤣

I would love to hear opinions please!

OP posts:
Original poster
itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:26

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:24

And the fact the OP seems to think it was my responsibility speaks volumes about how she views telling people her past

Edited
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You’re crazy 🤣 it doesn’t suggest that at all, I was merely saying I felt sorry for the girl and the way you described the situation is really awful.

You don’t know what the girl may have been going through.

OP posts:
itstartedinthepeaks · 07/07/2025 16:25

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:18

I have said exactly those words once to a babysitter. I was desperate to get her out the door but she was going on and on and on about her tumultuous past.

i said “you should write a book, I’d definitely read it!” And gently nudged her to the front door.

I’d have sooner eaten her toe nails than read a book written by her

This was what I was thinking as well to be honest.

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:25

itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:24

Can I ask what relevance this has to my post?

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In short
if you love your job
and there are prospects, focus on that

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:24

Samas · 07/07/2025 16:23

Still not the responsibility of the pp

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And the fact the OP seems to think it was my responsibility speaks volumes about how she views telling people her past

Original poster
itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:24

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:23

And there’s prospects?

what industry?

Show quote history

Can I ask what relevance this has to my post?

OP posts:
Samas · 07/07/2025 16:23

itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:21

I understand that, but you never know how much somebody might just need a listening ear.

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Still not the responsibility of the pp

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:23

itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:19

I love my job

Show quote history

And there’s prospects?

what industry?

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:22

itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:21

I understand that, but you never know how much somebody might just need a listening ear.

Show quote history

This was you
you wanted a listening ear
your colleagues listened for a while and then wished to politely wrap it up

EatingTillIDie · 07/07/2025 16:22

Write a few chapters to see if youre any good at it before thinking about publishers. I think jumping straight to the idea of a publisher shows you haven't really got a writer in you, sorry to say. Based on the posts you have written here I am not seeing a compelling style of prose either. Write something, take a creative writing course, see how you feel about it and then send it to a few people who will tell you the honest truth.

CreationNat1on · 07/07/2025 16:21

Pay a therapist.

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:21

itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:19

This makes me really sad. Poor girl!
Maybe she just wanted somebody to listen.

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And at 11.30pm
as someone she’d met twice before
that person was not me

Original poster
itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:21

Samas · 07/07/2025 16:20

The person paying her to babysit is not that person.

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I understand that, but you never know how much somebody might just need a listening ear.

OP posts:
Samas · 07/07/2025 16:20

itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:19

This makes me really sad. Poor girl!
Maybe she just wanted somebody to listen.

Show quote history

The person paying her to babysit is not that person.

Original poster
itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:19

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:16

Op do you enjoy your current job or is it very dull? And no prospects?

I love my job

OP posts:
Original poster
itsokayokay · 07/07/2025 16:19

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:18

I have said exactly those words once to a babysitter. I was desperate to get her out the door but she was going on and on and on about her tumultuous past.

i said “you should write a book, I’d definitely read it!” And gently nudged her to the front door.

I’d have sooner eaten her toe nails than read a book written by her

This makes me really sad. Poor girl!
Maybe she just wanted somebody to listen.

OP posts:
Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:18

I have said exactly those words once to a babysitter. I was desperate to get her out the door but she was going on and on and on about her tumultuous past.

i said “you should write a book, I’d definitely read it!” And gently nudged her to the front door.

I’d have sooner eaten her toe nails than read a book written by her

Sweetcorn81 · 07/07/2025 16:16

Op do you enjoy your current job or is it very dull? And no prospects?

LeFromage · 07/07/2025 16:15

I think the book sounds dull and it wouldn’t be one l’d pick up but you sound excited and living free and up for trying your hand at writing as something you enjoy. Thats the bit I’d focus on - the sense of energy and enjoyment you’d get out of writing rather than getting published. How about looking for a not too expensive writing course @itsokayokay I did city lit novel writing years ago loved it - no novel published but made amazing friends with likeminded people and have enjoyed seeing a few pursue and get published (after 20 years of writing!) There are memoirs / autobiography courses as well - but I’d say don’t bother with online courses try and find something face to face to hone your skills get constructive feedback and meet other wannabe writers. People who read a lot and want to write are invariably good fun. I think I’m saying lean into the process enjoy the journey don’t fixate on getting published (yet).

Wiltingasparagusfern · 07/07/2025 16:13

If you want to write a novel you should absolutely write a novel!
It is unusual to sell a novel that has not been completed. Not unheard of, but very rare. So perhaps start with writing the novel (most people who start novels do not finish them.)
Once you have finished it (a major achievement in and of itself) then that’s the time to look at finding an agent and selling it.

It’s long game. If you’re passionate, do it!

Cabbageheads · 07/07/2025 16:01

MounjaroMounjaro · 07/07/2025 15:47

That really isn't how it's done! Nothing about that is right.

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Yep. The response will be nothing.

BunnyLake · 07/07/2025 15:54

ModerateOrGoodOccasionallyPoor · 07/07/2025 15:17

Don't we all have a relative with a self published book on Amazon?

Honestly, I am sure there have been some huge success stories but the vast majority of self published stuff is utter dross, or very niche interest non-fiction stuff that is never going to make the writer any money because even if it's well written and well researched it will sell about 46 copies.

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Relative’s is niche so I haven’t read it. 😁

Zimunya · 07/07/2025 15:50

Ive always loved reading, I have an English lit & lang degree, and I adore writing (copywriter by trade)

OP - by all means write a book, and all credit to you for escaping a controlling marriage. But if you are going to write an e-book and self-publish, please invest in a spelling and grammar checker! I know you state in your opening post that you have an English language degree, but the spelling and grammar mistakes in all your posts does not bode well for an easily readable book.

MounjaroMounjaro · 07/07/2025 15:47

FuzzyPuffling · 07/07/2025 12:42

Write a synopsis and a couple of chapters. Send it to some publishers and see what the response is.

That really isn't how it's done! Nothing about that is right.

LikeABat · 07/07/2025 15:45

Or write it and self-publish as a ebook. It will probably cost you money rather than make you money just like most hobbies.

CreationNat1on · 07/07/2025 15:44

I cannot stand Mysery LIT. I read PJ Gallagher s book "Mad House", (he is an Irish comedian), Let's just say, it was neither funny or interesting.

What he deemed to be an extraordinary life, would be better described as the impacts of societal trauma in an addiction addled community. He did note his sister managed to accept the circumstances of their upbringing and thrive regardless, without the need of a tell all, cathartic book.

If you want to write a book, maybe use your experiences as general material to work from. The days of Mysery lit are over.

Look at the impact of (Duke) Harry's book. It's all bollox, we all have a story.

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