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!

@baileys6904 to be honest I thought the replies were nicer than I expected.

I know the OP doesn’t like it but there isn’t anything spiteful in nicely pointing out the colleague probably said ‘goodness me, you should write a book!’ in an attempt to stop the conversation. It’s the sort of thing I’d say in an attempt to be kind!

If I thought I was the next JK I wouldn’t have even bothered asking for opinions on here.

If anything it’s just reminded me how cruel mumsnet can be. I hope you get something out of being so mean.

Generally a book based on real life has to have a unique (or at least an unusual) selling point - unless the author is already famous, such as a film or music star. Something like the Salt Path for example which I know has been discredited, but it sold millions and was turned into a film. From what little you've said, your life doesn't sound any more fascinating or "crazier" than countless others. "You should write a book" is well worn expression when hearing about other people's triumphs or travails. Very few people actually have a sufficiently worthy story to tell and even fewer are accepted by publishers. You might have better luck creating a blog of some kind as a helpful tool for others and a cathartic exercise for yourself.

I’m more than happy to read, and willing to accept the responses.

I am just very surprised by the way some of the comments are written. There’s just no need for people to be so nasty.

(Not directed at you!)

I normally say to my colleague ' oh you should write a book' because she does not shut up. I literally couldn't know more about her so called dramatic life and I do not care any more. Not saying this is the situation for you but ..

That’s my take too.

But @itsokayokay , @Sweetcorn81 really wasn’t nasty, and I do call out needless spite on here.

Good grief OP

Brace yourself
the Op thinks we are “cruel”

@itsokayokay I agree

And yet we are not allowed a funny emoji ?? Yet posters can come on and be unnecessarily vile.

There are lots of books on Amazon on how to write a book

I've had a book published by a publisher and it's bloody hard work, stressful and time consuming, they want a second one but I'm not sure I can do it again.

Seriously, what’s vile about pointing out to someone that ‘you should write a book’ is rarely meant literally.

It's very difficult to get a book published these days. Most of them seem to be written by celebrities.

I'd start a YouTube channel first and talk about narcissism. I think it's a subject that people become obsessed with as they try to make sense of what's happened to them. Then you have an audience and there's a chance they will buy a self-published book.

I've written a book about autism but so far I've been too scared to start a YouTube channel so I doubt I'll sell many copies.

100% nothing to offend in that. It's a figure of speech. I know that my family wouldn't heap praise on my book as it might not be their thing but it's sold reasonably well so there are people out there who have read it.

why are you still continuing?

If you don’t like the thread, move on to the next.

It sounds like you are sharing too many personal stories at work and your colleague has told you this in an attempt to get you to
stop.

Your situation isn’t unique or insightful.

Nobody will be interested in reading about your life if they don't know you. Why would they be. It's a non starter.

I have said several times in my responses it would be fiction based. It is not an autobiography.

Why not write the book, it might be useful therapy for you and once it is written you can then consider if it might be publishable. Honestly this kind of book isn't my cup of tea but trauma memoirs and books about people turning their lives around after trauma is a known genre of non-fiction books so their is a market for them.

Alternatively saying to someone "oh you should / could write a book about that" is the sort of thing people do say when someone has a kind of dramatic back story so I'd take what they say with a pinch of salt.

Just remember that if a book is published it can have quite an impact, be sure to be honest after all just look at what is now going on with the Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path!

Being a successful author requires:

• having a great idea and telling the story well
• having a great copy editor to polish it because by the time you finish writing it you are too close to see the flaws
• having a passionate, committed and resourceful publisher willing to invest in publicising and marketing your work to the right audiences.

If you have #3 you can skip one of the other elements, which is why some right drivel gets published by big names. Without #3 you may have a brilliant book but it will get nowhere. So it depends on whether your friend is actually a publisher or has a strong influence with a publishing house.

Jesus, someone really kicked the cunt bucket on this thread, sent them all spilling out.

OP, write your book.

It’s super simple to self publish on Amazon, I’ve got three books (self help type) and I make a few hundred quid a month and get a lovely warm glow every time someone buys one and especially when people message to tell me they’ve enjoyed it or it’s helped them.

You have nothing to lose and lots to gain.

a bit self indulgent, writing a book about yourself. Not for me sorry

I’ve mentioned several times it’s not an autobiography, but I understand.

Also, just curious, do you find successful authors that have written about themselves (survival etc) self indulgent?