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How can I start writing a book based on my life?
I am a Junior in college for my bachelors degree in creative writing and English. I always dreamt of writing my own book based off my life and maybe even turn it into a series of books as I grow older. As much as I can see myself in the near future publishing my first book, I do not know where to begin.
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9 answers
Brandon Dang
214
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
I think a good way to start is by documenting/make notes about your life from this point on. It doesn't have to be about every single detail (unless that is something you want to include into your work), but it would be a good idea to keep a reference that you can turn back to later. Sometimes even comparing your younger self to the person you are when you write the documentary might be a good comparison.
As for the style, I would recommend you read others that have written a documentary of their lives. What do you like about their writing style? What do you hate? Where do you think you would excel in and which parts of your life?
If you have any more questions, please ask.
As for the style, I would recommend you read others that have written a documentary of their lives. What do you like about their writing style? What do you hate? Where do you think you would excel in and which parts of your life?
If you have any more questions, please ask.
Tom Foster
Freelance writer
26
Answers
Forest Grove, Oregon
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Everyone here is giving you good advice. I'm a little more simplistic. Just write.
If you find a memory you like, expand on it. If you have the type of life experience that can sustain a series, then do it.
Do you want to write fiction or non-fiction? There are a lot of questions you're going to have to ask to nail down what you'll write.
But at the end of the day, just write. You'd be amazed where this practice can take you.
If you find a memory you like, expand on it. If you have the type of life experience that can sustain a series, then do it.
Do you want to write fiction or non-fiction? There are a lot of questions you're going to have to ask to nail down what you'll write.
But at the end of the day, just write. You'd be amazed where this practice can take you.
Doug Freeman
16
Answers
Updated
Doug’s Answer
The easiest way to begin is by making a simple outline of what you'd like to have in your book. Think about forming rough chapters. It's important to arrange your ideas, or the writing process may become quite tiresome. Next, you can either start writing your story, or if that feels too daunting, create a series of audio recordings (picture yourself sharing your stories with a close friend or family member). Transcribing your recordings can give you a first rough draft for your book. Keep writing, writing, writing. And don't forget that even a book about your life is a form of storytelling, so it's not just about stating facts. Make sure to share the stories behind those facts, focusing on the human, emotional, and amusing aspects.
Amalya Sukiasyan
ESOL teacher at Washington English Center
298
Answers
Yerevan
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
Hello
It's a great idea to write a book, especially based your own perceptions and life experiences. It can be a personal diary, an epistolary novel, or something else: There are many options to choose from.
The best time to start writing a book is when you have things to say, feelings to express, topics to discuss... But the question is more related to the quality of your writing, rather than its timeline. Read as much as you can. Write as much as you can: Practice makes perfect. And your education can be a good foundation for your creative goals.
All the best
It's a great idea to write a book, especially based your own perceptions and life experiences. It can be a personal diary, an epistolary novel, or something else: There are many options to choose from.
The best time to start writing a book is when you have things to say, feelings to express, topics to discuss... But the question is more related to the quality of your writing, rather than its timeline. Read as much as you can. Write as much as you can: Practice makes perfect. And your education can be a good foundation for your creative goals.
All the best
Ann-Marie Giglio
Freelance writer and author
7
Answers
Monterey, California
Updated
Ann-Marie’s Answer
Hi,
Lots of good advice here for developing a writing practice.
Here's a concrete suggestion for you. If you want to get started writing this first book which you've said is about your life, begin by imagining you're telling someone your story. Decide if you'd like to "talk" to a stranger or to a friend. Then write down what you're saying to this imagined person.
This isn't to say it's the story you end up with.
It's simply the story you begin with, which is, honestly, the most important one because it gets you on the road and driving. As you tell/write it, you'll have ideas on how to make it better. And you will edit it. But getting started will be in the rear view mirror by then, so phewww.
When you're not in the weeds typing out what you're telling this stranger or friend, ie, taking a break, do everything else suggested here!
Lots of good advice here for developing a writing practice.
Here's a concrete suggestion for you. If you want to get started writing this first book which you've said is about your life, begin by imagining you're telling someone your story. Decide if you'd like to "talk" to a stranger or to a friend. Then write down what you're saying to this imagined person.
This isn't to say it's the story you end up with.
It's simply the story you begin with, which is, honestly, the most important one because it gets you on the road and driving. As you tell/write it, you'll have ideas on how to make it better. And you will edit it. But getting started will be in the rear view mirror by then, so phewww.
When you're not in the weeds typing out what you're telling this stranger or friend, ie, taking a break, do everything else suggested here!
Johnathan Patterson
Songwrite, make beats and an author
1
Answer
Macon, Georgia
Updated
Johnathan’s Answer
Hello, first of all: write down any thoughts you have in a journal. Decide on the plot of your book along with the overall theme you're writing about. Decide which part of your story that you want to focus on the most. Most importantly, have fun and good luck
Roger Maxwell
Freelance Writer
10
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Roger’s Answer
Hi.
Have you started writing about your life? If not get a journal, or a ringed notebook, and a pencil or pen, my favorite is Writech pens, and handwrite your story. Decide where you want to start, from birth, or at a significant time later in life. But wherever you start, make sure that your first line grabs your reader by the throat.
Instead of writing, "I grew up on a farm in Kansas", write "Our Kansas farmhouse lost power everytime it rained, but I didn't care. Momma would light candles and daddy would build a big fire in the fireplace...". That's not a great example, but you need to make your readers feel something, emotionally. A sense of fear, mystery, shock, endearment ... Your sentences should cause your reader to want to read the next sentence.
Not knowing your personal story I have to assume that, unless you're writting this for yourself, there is something unique about it that would entertain, provide insight, or educate, or all three. The fact you mentioned possibly writing a series, you want to share your story with others. So, you need to identify who your reader is: what kind of person are they, what kind of books do they read, how old are they, why would they be interested in your story? Are they your friend, a stranger, male or female ...? Once you know then get your reader planted in your head, and write for them.
Then, like others have said, write. Write it all out. Get it out of your head. Don't worry about puntuation, or grammar, or sentence length. Just get it out.
Some people like to create a layout first - chapter lists, headings, blah, blah, blah. I've written two novels without creating layouts. But since it's your life we're talking about, literally, maybe laying out the events on a piece of paper would be beneficial. But however you want to do it, get it all out, no matter how messy. You'll be so happy you did.
I mentioned earlier about using paper and pen. There is something that happens in the brain when you write with paper and pen, or pencil. There's something intimate about it. And get one of those pens I mentioned - Writech. If you really really don't like it, and you start pulling your hair out over it, then sure, go back to you computer. But at least try it for the first draft.
I know you've heard this: "to be a good writer, you need to be a good reader", and "you should write every day" and those things are true. But a good writer is someone who shuts their mouths and uses their other senses. Be an Observer. Listen to Everything, Feel the sun on your body, Watch people, Observe the world around you. You get what I'm say. I'm assuming you're going to start from your past. Try to tap into your mind, and Observe how you felt, what it was like when you squeezed the handles of your first bike, how it felt watching your grandmother making homemade bread, what did it smell like. Try to recall your senses, and what you thought, and what you thought your grandmother thought, and what your dog was thinking - and put all that in your story.
Let your readers experience your life the way you did.
About reading. (I know I'm all over the place here. But I'm in bed and I'm tired, so). I wrote my first book in a diary format. So for preparation, and while I wrote it, I read diaries. Published ones. I started with The Diary of Ann Frank, then I read a Russian diary, then a fictional diary, "Flowers For Algernon" which I highly recommend you read. So read books, at least one, like the book you want to write. If you like the book and would like to write your story like that, then read it again - study it. Then read a different book, just to make sure.
All of what I've been saying are tools. The reading, figuring out who your reader is, being an Observer using all of your senses and feelings ... these are all tools to help you create the enviroment and characters from your life and make your story alive and present in your private reader's mind. You need to take you reader by the hand and guide them through the doorway into your life's story.
I could go on and on, but I'll start rambling and never get to sleep :0)
I hope some of this was helpful. If not, please let me know. Or let me know if you have any other qustions. It's hard when you're not talking to the person.
All the best.
Ciao,
Roger
Have you started writing about your life? If not get a journal, or a ringed notebook, and a pencil or pen, my favorite is Writech pens, and handwrite your story. Decide where you want to start, from birth, or at a significant time later in life. But wherever you start, make sure that your first line grabs your reader by the throat.
Instead of writing, "I grew up on a farm in Kansas", write "Our Kansas farmhouse lost power everytime it rained, but I didn't care. Momma would light candles and daddy would build a big fire in the fireplace...". That's not a great example, but you need to make your readers feel something, emotionally. A sense of fear, mystery, shock, endearment ... Your sentences should cause your reader to want to read the next sentence.
Not knowing your personal story I have to assume that, unless you're writting this for yourself, there is something unique about it that would entertain, provide insight, or educate, or all three. The fact you mentioned possibly writing a series, you want to share your story with others. So, you need to identify who your reader is: what kind of person are they, what kind of books do they read, how old are they, why would they be interested in your story? Are they your friend, a stranger, male or female ...? Once you know then get your reader planted in your head, and write for them.
Then, like others have said, write. Write it all out. Get it out of your head. Don't worry about puntuation, or grammar, or sentence length. Just get it out.
Some people like to create a layout first - chapter lists, headings, blah, blah, blah. I've written two novels without creating layouts. But since it's your life we're talking about, literally, maybe laying out the events on a piece of paper would be beneficial. But however you want to do it, get it all out, no matter how messy. You'll be so happy you did.
I mentioned earlier about using paper and pen. There is something that happens in the brain when you write with paper and pen, or pencil. There's something intimate about it. And get one of those pens I mentioned - Writech. If you really really don't like it, and you start pulling your hair out over it, then sure, go back to you computer. But at least try it for the first draft.
I know you've heard this: "to be a good writer, you need to be a good reader", and "you should write every day" and those things are true. But a good writer is someone who shuts their mouths and uses their other senses. Be an Observer. Listen to Everything, Feel the sun on your body, Watch people, Observe the world around you. You get what I'm say. I'm assuming you're going to start from your past. Try to tap into your mind, and Observe how you felt, what it was like when you squeezed the handles of your first bike, how it felt watching your grandmother making homemade bread, what did it smell like. Try to recall your senses, and what you thought, and what you thought your grandmother thought, and what your dog was thinking - and put all that in your story.
Let your readers experience your life the way you did.
About reading. (I know I'm all over the place here. But I'm in bed and I'm tired, so). I wrote my first book in a diary format. So for preparation, and while I wrote it, I read diaries. Published ones. I started with The Diary of Ann Frank, then I read a Russian diary, then a fictional diary, "Flowers For Algernon" which I highly recommend you read. So read books, at least one, like the book you want to write. If you like the book and would like to write your story like that, then read it again - study it. Then read a different book, just to make sure.
All of what I've been saying are tools. The reading, figuring out who your reader is, being an Observer using all of your senses and feelings ... these are all tools to help you create the enviroment and characters from your life and make your story alive and present in your private reader's mind. You need to take you reader by the hand and guide them through the doorway into your life's story.
I could go on and on, but I'll start rambling and never get to sleep :0)
I hope some of this was helpful. If not, please let me know. Or let me know if you have any other qustions. It's hard when you're not talking to the person.
All the best.
Ciao,
Roger
Caitlyn Johnston
Senior Technical Writer
44
Answers
Odin, IL
Updated
Caitlyn’s Answer
Wait until you're about 35. Then, you will have the maturity and perspective to write the parts worth reading, and you will have had time to hone your craft as a writer.
"Start at the beginning, go on through the middle, and stop when you come to the end." - Lewis Carroll
Caitlyn recommends the following next steps:
David Drury
Writer
3
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
David’s Answer
Start by writing every day. Don't think of your story for the big stuff "It was then that I realized my lifelong dream..." but sink yourself into the odd details that make up your experiences. How you observe and write about a tiny moment or incident that happens in front of you at a grocery store might be more compelling than a revelatory experience. Be an observer of the world. Whatever it shows you, speak to that.