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

[itsokayokay]

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!

You need to post on the aspiring writers topic. If you want to write it, do so. It will be cathartic and better than scrolling through your phone. Whether it has any literary value we cannot judge - but if you like to write and you feel this story welling up then I say commit it to paper!!!!

Sorry, that doesn't sound too enthralling. Painful and damaging yes, but not something that you could create a full book from, unless there is a phenomenal twist. If you could turn it into a novel rather than an autobiography then that would be better. Autobiographies from unknowns rarely make it to the bookshelves.

It’s very very hard for an unknown writer to be paid to write and publish a book. I’d suggest you do it for the pleasure and interest of the process, join a writing group or maybe a memoir course, and se how it goes. Good luck.

Honestly?

It's been done. Look at Colleen Hoover. Do you have something new to add to an overloaded genre?

Second. You are really sharing a lot of very personal details with your coworkers. You might want to rethink that.

Thank you - I understand.

I always seem to overshare and massively regret it after

Came on to say exactly this. It’s usually in response to someone who is a bit full on regarding the “drama” in their life. I mean, why do your colleagues even know so
much about your personal life? Be honest - do you talk a lot about it at work?

Well, my mum published a book where she fictionally killed off her abusive husband in a car accident, and had to act all griefstruck whilst actually being free and happy at last.

So I can't pretend it doesn't happen... But if you want to write it, don't do it to get published, or even because some else would say they'd read it. Write it because you enjoy writing and want to write this book for you.

My book series is a little of an awkward fit for publication, plus I can't be bothered with the hoop jumping, but writing it has changed my life.

@Youdontseehow I don’t talk much about my personal life, only if asked about something or if it naturally falls into conversation.

But you say earlier you massively overshare and regret it …….

?

everyone’s story is unique! I have lead a very varied and ‘interesting’ life, and no one else had lead anything similar!

OP do what I have done, write your memoirs for your family for when you have gone, whilst you can remember it. My kids have no idea of my life BC - when I’m gone they can read and be shocked. But getting published? Unlikely.

No, I said I massively REGRET it

I know I’ve over shared in the past but to be honest it’s my life to talk about as I wish, those who ask questions I will respond to.

You need to steer away from autobiographical references and make your story fictional, using your life experience as resources. Writing about a series of crazy events doesn’t necessarily mean it will make a page turner. There needs to be a twist or two and a sub plot running at the same time, to keep the reader engaged.

Oversharing can be a trauma response - have you spoken to anyone like a therapist about your experiences? Might be good to process it all before you explore whether to write a novel about it. Regardless of whether you go on to write a book, journalling in and of itself can be healing.

And eye roll at those who think copywriters can't make a typo.

Thank you everyone. The responses have been helpful and insightful. I guess I got carried away with myself thinking I could possibly make something I am passionate about (copywriting) into something more than my daily grind

Loads of people think they've got a book in them and it's very rarely the case. It's also a lot harder than people realise.

I agree your colleague seems to just be appeasing you and wanting you to move on tbh.

On paper, my life is a lot more 'traumatic' than yours, that doesn't mean others want to read about it.

'and im now learning to find myself again. It’s been a journey!'

If you were to write a book you'd also need to really rethink your writing style if this is how you do currently.

Understood. I didn’t go into detail regarding my life story and wouldn’t want to on here…

Everyone has a story to tell, I don’t think it’s necessarily right to comment on whose life was / who has had it worse. It’s subjective but I’m sorry if you’ve had a traumatic past.

I don’t understand your comment in terms of my writing style. Again writing style is subjective and differs from person to person.

Just start writing. Write every day. Find your voice. Don't get bogged down in thinking about agents/publishing/book signings. In fact forget about all of that, it will distract you.

Ultimately you're selling your story to the publisher. So you need to get an outline, at least a few chapters and how you'd develop that in to a book and really pitch hard on why people would want to read your book specifically.

What's unique? What are you aiming to do? Go look if there's other books similar to what you're attempting. Evaluate competition in the market - what do they do well?

Also are you qualified? This is sort of verging on therapy and you'll be more credible perhaps if you co-write with a therapist who has experience in this area?

Ultimately, why do you want to do this? Loads of people want to write. What will keep you going when you want to quit?

Think I need to do this, both me and DH had horrible starts to life, and a lot of shit since and a lot of it, with the kids ages, is not yet shareable…guess it’s probably kind of therapeutic writing it all out too?

I had a friend who did that. Self published. It was absolutely unreadable and deeply boring.

Please don't.

In my experience when people say ‘you should write a book’ it’s because they don’t quite believe the story they have been told. I’m not implying anything at all about you personally but it’s an expression in my world that’s used to convey disbelief.

I feel sorry for your friend if that’s the way you speak about her 🥺

Self publishes usually are. And then they tell everyone they're a 'published author' 🤔

A copywriter with a degree in English Lit and you can't spell feasible correctly?