Have you ever thought about writing your life story? Whether you have something inspirational to share or want to leave a legacy for future generations, writing your memoir will be meaningful and fulfilling. Though it may feel hard now, it definitely is worth it. This article will share how the fun begins when you find the right writer, discover the narrative you want to tell, and take your book to publication. Get excited – a great adventure in storytelling and personal exploration is about to start!
Defining Your Story and Theme
Prior to starting to write—a process that can occur concurrently with finding a writer—you first need to identify a central theme. Consider the message you want to provide to the reader and the feelings you wish to convey. What is unique about your story? Think about the overarching people and circumstances that have shaped your life and perspective. You might narrow the timeline you want to include (i.e., childhood, professional career, etc.). Now you will need to shape your narrative structure from beginning to end. Every segment or chapter in your memoir should flow into the next, ultimately forming a structure that engages the reader and is easy to read.
Finding the Right Life Story Writer
Choosing the person to tell your story is an essential part of the process. You can of course choose to sit down and write the book yourself, but hiring a professional ghostwriter can be a great option if you want a keen eye. If you are hiring a ghostwriter, it is beneficial to choose someone with experience in memoirs or biographies as a style. A ghostwriter’s portfolio can help you clearly identify if their work resonates with the style and genre you have in mind. Your relationship with your ghostwriter is a collaborative journey, so your comfort level with that person and how you feel about how they represent your voice is important too.
Planning Your Book
After you decide to hire a ghostwriter to develop your story, the planning stage becomes a collaborative effort. The ghostwriter will work with you to identify a main overarching theme and development for your book, and then create a detailed outline. Together you will develop chapter titles, the structure (sub headings), and even a paragraph summarizing what you want to cover in each chapter. The ghostwriter will help you devise a writing plan, in which they may call for daily word counts, hourly sessions, or some other cadence dependent on your schedule.
Editing and Revising Your Story
When the first draft is finished, it’s time to begin the revision and editing phase—this is where real change happens. This is the opportunity to polish the writing and make the story even stronger. First, after you read the draft, go back through it and highlight sections that you think need to be improved upon. Think about flow, structure, and character development, and cut unnecessary parts or tangents that do not relate to your topic. You may also want to provide the draft to beta readers or hire an editor to get feedback. Once you receive their feedback, it’s time to think carefully about what you revise.
Publishing Your Life Story Book
Once you finish your manuscript, it’s time to look at your publishing options, either via self-publishing or traditional publishing. You can self-publish using a self-publishing platform like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or IngramSpark. You’ll want your book to look professional by using a cover designer and professional interior formatting.
For traditional publishing, check for literary agents specializing in memoirs or biographies. Your final-goodwill will be query letter and book proposal containing a synopsis of your book, your author bio, and your marketing plan. Expect rejections, but perseverance and tenacity are no less than important in this process. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
Marketing and Promoting Your Book
Now that your book is published, it’s time to start marketing and promoting your book! You should use social media—Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter—to build your audience and promote your activities! You should also reach out to book bloggers and reviewers, because they can provide feedback but more importantly exposure and promotion! You may even want to think about hosting a book signing, or reading, or interview, to foster promotion. You can offer free copies to book clubs or libraries and start a buzz! Keep in mind that book marketing is ongoing, and you should believe in your story; it may take some time before you start to build some momentum!
Conclusion
Writing a memoir can be challenging, but it can also be a very satisfying experience. It is an act of courage, honesty, and commitment to share your story with the world. Using these steps—finding the right writer, defining your theme, planning your book, getting your first draft written, and writing and editing your manuscript, publishing, and promoting your memoir—you have the opportunity to tell your story out there. I encourage you: your experiences are unique; your story deserves to be told. So take that first step and start writing!
FAQs
Definitely – everyone has a life story and it is a valuable story to tell! “Ordinary” or “uneventful,” does not matter! What matters is your angle and the story you want to tell!
A ghostwriter’s charges will differ widely depending on their experience, the length of your book, and how involved the ghostwriter will be in the process. Generally, fees will range from $1,000 to $9,000 and up.
Getting a professional edit for your book and having it beta-read before publishing is essential for showing the best version of your story. Make sure you take the feedback to revise and work on your writing.
Getting a professional edit for your book and having it beta-read before publishing is essential for showing the best version of your story. Make sure you take the feedback to revise and work on your writing.
Writing a book takes practice and is a skill you can build over time. If you find writing to be difficult, consider taking a writing course or hiring a writing coach to build your book writing skill.
