'You should write a book'

[Bunnynames101]

Am I correct in thinking this is an insult of sorts, or a 'polite' way of telling someone you think they're talking BS? Or do you say it when you genuinely think someone should write an actual book?

So

YABU - it's meant sincerely, recipient should write a book.

YANBU - it's a way of saying you think they're talking a load of rubbish.

Sorry for hijacking AIBU for the voting...

I have said this to people and meant it. I suppose my meaning is, I enjoy listening to your stories and I think other people would too. Also I would love to write a book myself so I see it as a compliment.
I have a friend who works in a very interesting sector and always has stories about it, I am always telling her she should writer a book and she agrees.

Most people shouldn’t write a book, imo.

For what it’s worth, I’ve never said this to someone as an insult.

I have a friend in her late 50s who’s worked as a PA all her life, for several slightly famous/important people in a really interesting sector. She’s met so many celebrities, politicians, members of the royal family and the like, and dealt with some really crazy situations. Whenever she tells us about the latest bonkers thing she’s encountered at work we’ll all joke (semi seriously) ‘another one for the memoirs!’ but I would in all seriousness absolutely read a book if she wrote it. People would find it all fascinating!

Whenever I hear that (though no one has ever said it to me, I think) I think people are saying that you have lived an interesting life and that others might benefit from hearing about it. Whenever I've used the phrase that's how I meant it.

I find myself saying it when the person’s stories seem to dominate the majority of what they’re saying.
It’s not about their stories being not believed or being “tall” but that there’s one after another after another.
They often don’t realise & carry on telling more (IME). I don’t say it to shut them up or to be rude (because I’m interested in people & their stories) but have noticed that it comes out when maybe a threshold of how many stories /unusual/ interesting adventures a person has had has been crossed for that conversation IYSWIM.

I think that poster fancies themselves as a bit of a writer themselves. All I can say is not to bother.

I've been reading MN for very many years and I have seen some nasty things written. This post however, is possibly the cruellest thing that I've ever seen written. Polite language doesn't dress up utter cuntery.

I think they mean your life experiences are very different from theirs. So different that they only ever come across stories like in books. You could take that as them telling you they've had safe, comfortably dull lives.

So like most things people say, they're really telling you about themselves, not talking about you at all.

In the same vein, you cook people one good meal and they say 'you should open a restaurant'. It's a silly compliment that tells you they know little of restaurants, or of good home cooking. Likewise with books and interesting life stories.

Given that it has been said to you in conversation OP, I would think that it means that your life is fascinating. Please don't believe that people are trying to shut you down.

I've had many many people tell me that I should write - though writing has gotten me into all sorts of bother over the years. It's something that gives me great joy. Not creative writing - I'd be more of a columnist than a novelist. My brother says that I have 'acerbic wit' (I'm trying to take that as a compliment but he is a lovely arsehole so it could be a veiled insult too).

My life is so unbelievable that no film director would believe a script of my life. It's just not believable!

Many years ago I went to see a fortune teller. I went with my housemate as she wanted to go and I had nothing better to be doing. The fortune teller told me "you're gifted with the pen". It wasn't a phrase that I was familiar with so she clarified that she meant that I should be writing. I don't write really.

@Bunnynames101 my response to you has provoked understandable outrage which should give you great confidence. I apologise if I unintentionally/stupidly shut down any creative dream you may harbour, but the format of your enquiry was a tad off putting. The book world is ruthless, even though everyone has a story to tell. Life is tough and surviving it is epic, and no one needs to write like Tolstoy to prove it. We are capable of creating the greatest adventures out of the ordinary and finding heroism in pain and beauty in the invisible. You probably do have a book to write, and if it feels right then absolutely go for it.

@Doodadoo really? Well suck it up buttercup, because there's a far nastier world out there and if I'm the worst here, I pity you.

I woudn't say this to someone as an insult, no.

I have only ever said it to my SIL who has 4 kids all with special needs and a very interesting life since having them. Only because I would genuinely love to read her book!

I'd take it as a compliment tbh, someone thinks you are interesting and articulate enough to tell a good story that they would want to read.