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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To write a book about my life?

106 replies

ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 09:40

I've been through a lot and I'm 30. I have three children. I was married very young and have been through huge trauma but I have over come it. I want to write about it because it's my story of addiction withdrawal and redemption

I don't have the discipline to sit still and write, I have adhd,

Is there a way to tell my story to a writer and work together with them? Thank you
And also is this really fucking big headed of me to think people would want to know my story of how I over came addictions?

OP posts:
MadamWhiteleigh · 11/07/2023 09:43

People write about all kinds of things - if it’s written well and engaging then it might find an audience.

You can hire a ghostwriter but without a publisher lined up, you’ll have to pay them yourself. They work freelance.

MotherofGorgons · 11/07/2023 09:43

Not big headed but there are a lot of books like these. What makes yours stand out?

MermaidEyes · 11/07/2023 09:51

Agree with a pp, there were a whole spate of these kinds of books a few years back, they've been done to death now really. I think it would probably be cathartic for you though. Have you considered just writing bits at a time yourself, just random thoughts and memories here and there. Doesn't matter how long it takes you. Maybe when your kids are older it could be something they could read and understand your life before them, a bit like a diary or journal.

MotherofGorgons · 11/07/2023 09:54

Perhaps look and see what books like these are already out there. Many, I think.

And yes, you would have to pay the ghostwriter in advance.

Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 09:55

Well it's in a way a bit identifying to my friends but I grew up with immense privilege and I just don't know why I did it I got married so young
Well I had an unusual upbringing

I think the difference with me is that I was from a NOT deprived back ground at all. I did ridiculous and stupid things and I can't see any books written for my generation
It's all about 15 years ago, the stuff I can find. Kathryn Kemps book was amazing and life changing for me.

I was chronically sick so it's a story of survival that is how I ended up an addict.
I want people to know they have options, not to just accept the first offer. It's left me with a life time up hill battle to feel calm and ok with just being.

It would be soothing yes. All I know is, I would have bought the book if it was on the kindle store when I was going through what I went through

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Farmageddon · 11/07/2023 09:55

I would say write it if you feel it would be cathartic to get it out, or as a record for your self and your children.

However, trying to get published these days (unless you are a celebrity) is very difficult - though not impossible so you could try.

Also, hiring a ghost writer is expensive.

What about writing a blog and go from there? it's basically free and you could collate the material after a while and send it to publishing houses to see if they would make it into a book.

NutellaEllaElla · 11/07/2023 09:56

I wouldn't let it put you off that is been done to death. All stories based on being human have been done before.

SapphosRock · 11/07/2023 09:58

It's all about the writing rather than what actually happened in your life.

Eat, Pray, Love was such as success because it was brilliantly written - the story was actually just 'Divorced woman goes travelling'.

So you either need to pay a brilliant ghostwriter (expensive) or write it yourself.

Jenandberri · 11/07/2023 09:58

As an alternative have you considered perhaps telling your story yourself rather than putting it into a book format. So instead of people looking for what they need you take your story to people and it could maybe prevent others going through the same and also support those who maybe have experienced similar? You could do talks or even workshops in schools? People with adhd are often very dynamics and engaging speakers

Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 10:01

NutellaEllaElla · 11/07/2023 09:56

I wouldn't let it put you off that is been done to death. All stories based on being human have been done before.

Thank you so much for this, I read them all and I would read more. I support the cause and happy to buy these books if it helps someone else to stay clean

I write occasionally when I'm pent up. And I go back and read when I'm calm and I've written some heart breaking things that happened and I forgot. I've been so pathetic. I want to admit how pathetic I was because sometimes I felt so pathetic I didn't anyone was more pathetic then me. I was the most pathetic person on the planet earth. So so so soooo selfish. Didn't even realise. Felt like a victim.

I just want to share because the closest I could get to relating was Kathryn Kemp but I had three children when I was dealing with this. And the middle class life I live means nobody even realised.

I just want to share.
Thank you everyone for the support and constructive criticism.

Next question, I've got several friends who are ghost writers. Is it ok to chat to them about it and see if they would be willing to collaborate. I need to do more research into it.

I'm currently studying to become a counsellor, too. I just wish nobody not even a bad person went through what I've been through.

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huntingcunting · 11/07/2023 10:02

Try writing some of it yourself. You say you don't have the discipline because of ADHD, but could you do it in 10 minute blocks - with a timer?
As others have said ghostwriters are expensive - it's a huge risk for you as an ordinary person to shell out that money for a ghostwriter and the book not be published anyway.
The blog idea from another poster is good too. It will be cathartic for you and it will help others going through similar. Also you can do it in small chunks so don't need to be sitting writing for hours.

Thegreatbigbarrieroflondon · 11/07/2023 10:02

Privileged child from affluent background turns to drugs and overcomes an addiction?

I wouldn’t buy it. I’m more likely to be interested in stories whereby people have overcome adversity from more disadvantaged backgrounds and where they have had to jump through more hoops.

Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 10:03

Jenandberri · 11/07/2023 09:58

As an alternative have you considered perhaps telling your story yourself rather than putting it into a book format. So instead of people looking for what they need you take your story to people and it could maybe prevent others going through the same and also support those who maybe have experienced similar? You could do talks or even workshops in schools? People with adhd are often very dynamics and engaging speakers

You're making me emotional.
I would like to do that. It feels a bit big headed but it's actually very humbling to tell a story to strangers about how you got to where you are and what you will do next.
I would be scared but I would do it.

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Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 10:04

Thegreatbigbarrieroflondon · 11/07/2023 10:02

Privileged child from affluent background turns to drugs and overcomes an addiction?

I wouldn’t buy it. I’m more likely to be interested in stories whereby people have overcome adversity from more disadvantaged backgrounds and where they have had to jump through more hoops.

Yes, doesn't sound like a story for you.

The ones about deprivation and adversity made me feel even more pathetic

You can have privilege with lots of voids

It's this kind of mindset that made me hide

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GasPanic · 11/07/2023 10:04

You're not being unreasonable to want to write a book about your life.

You probably are being unreasonable to expect anyone to be interested in reading it though.

That is, unless you have led an interesting (famous) life or have some particularly interesting or useful revelation to offer the world.

Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 10:05

GasPanic · 11/07/2023 10:04

You're not being unreasonable to want to write a book about your life.

You probably are being unreasonable to expect anyone to be interested in reading it though.

That is, unless you have led an interesting (famous) life or have some particularly interesting or useful revelation to offer the world.

Yes it's for someone like me in the depths of despair, to find on the kindle store when they think they are the only one!!!

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Isittimeformynapyet · 11/07/2023 10:06

Have you thought about joining a writing group?

Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 10:06

Farmageddon · 11/07/2023 09:55

I would say write it if you feel it would be cathartic to get it out, or as a record for your self and your children.

However, trying to get published these days (unless you are a celebrity) is very difficult - though not impossible so you could try.

Also, hiring a ghost writer is expensive.

What about writing a blog and go from there? it's basically free and you could collate the material after a while and send it to publishing houses to see if they would make it into a book.

Brilliant idea
Could I write it anonymously? I would like to include photos of me but then I would lose that aspect,

Kathryn Kemp is so brave because she let everyone know it was her

OP posts:
chipsandpeas · 11/07/2023 10:06

could you record bits of it then transcribe it yourself at some point

Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 10:06

Isittimeformynapyet · 11/07/2023 10:06

Have you thought about joining a writing group?

No, but this is another good idea, I'm looking for a few hobbies. I'm going to see what's local to me. Thank you xx

OP posts:
MotherofGorgons · 11/07/2023 10:07

There is a Creative Writing forum on MN with many published writers.

Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 10:07

chipsandpeas · 11/07/2023 10:06

could you record bits of it then transcribe it yourself at some point

Another really good idea

I love MN x

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WriterlyMess · 11/07/2023 10:07

Do you mean Cathryn Kemp?

Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 10:07

MotherofGorgons · 11/07/2023 10:07

There is a Creative Writing forum on MN with many published writers.

Thank you, I didn't even know this, going to head over there for a gander

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Original poster
ghostwriterwanted · 11/07/2023 10:07

WriterlyMess · 11/07/2023 10:07

Do you mean Cathryn Kemp?

Yes I will mean her I may have spelt her name wrong how embarrassing

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