Telling your past to a friend and writing it in a book for the world are two acts of courage, but they are not the same. One offers understanding, while the other invites public scrutiny.
You never know which part of your life will be ridiculed and how many insecurities will be triggered. Therefore, when you choose to share your story on the page (that will soon be published), you are not just remembering; you are revealing your secrets willingly.
This calls for great courage and strength of mind. Hence, for audacious authors who dare to attempt memoir writing, here are 12 effective tips that can save them from the regret of an untold story poorly expressed. Only a passionate writer can understand this kind of hurt.
Beginner’s Guide for Writing a Book About Your Life
Have you ever worked with a biography writing service UK? If you have, you would know that penning down your own story is not a one-man job. At least not everybody can do it without being overwhelmed. Sometimes an emotional burnout happens, sometimes it is the memories that kick-start an anxiety attack, and sometimes you just don’t know if an event is worth mentioning. So, it is always better to have a mentor or an experienced guide.
The First and Most Important Tip for You
If you are about to start writing a biography or a memoir, 1out of the 12 life-saving tips is that you hire a writing support agency. Don’t get us wrong. This is not us saying that you are incapable of doing it alone, but just that it is better with support.
- Reason number one for convincing you to connect to a writing service is that there are instances where even the most powerful stories lose impact because of structural problems.
- The second reason is that an experienced service provider will not just refine your book for clarity but will also use its industry insight to guide you on the dos and don’ts.
The Remaining 11 Tips to Kick Start Writing the Book
1- Fool Your Brain
When you say you are writing a book that is soon to be published, it creates unnecessary pressure on your brain. It can be so intense that the author might not be able to think freely. The best way out is to fold your brain by telling it that you are just working on a project or writing a daily journal.
2- Break the Norms
Remember that it is not an obligation to start the journey from your birth. This is your life, your story, and hence you get to decide wherever it begins. Experts say that you should pick the most vivid memory or a dramatic event first. It can also be the funniest moment to keep the reader engaged.
3- Forget About the Audience
The biggest mistake often repeated by authors is that they get burdened by reader expectations. Bad idea because there are going to be a million readers. How many perspectives will you keep considering? The solution is simple. Imagine that you are either writing this long letter to a dear friend or to your younger self.
4- First Draft is Important
Writers might think that they can directly start writing the to-be-published manuscript in one go. However, that is not so. Initiating with the first drafts is very important. And what is even more important is that while you are at it, you must not stop to correct grammar mistakes or look up a detail. Just keep pouring out everything.
5- Use a Voice Memo App
This life-saving hack might not be as good as it is to hire a ghostwriter, but it still is very effective for all sorts of writers. The community is aware that inspiration is not time-bound. It can come to you anywhere, anytime. Hence, a voice memo app is necessary. Record thoughts instantly in the moment to maintain the book’s spontaneity quotient.
6- Focus on the Timer
Rather than worrying about the word count of the day, it is better that you focus of your consistency. Giving the book at least 2 hours a day is more important than aiming for, say, 500 words. This makes the process less intimidating.
7- Dump Everything in Bullets
If a chapter or memory feels too big, switch to a new document and start listing every detail. Maybe write a quote, mention a location, or anything relevant about that moment to help you recall later. This way, you won’t forget the share-worthy information.
8- Leave Some Events Out
Yes, you are writing a book about your life, but no one has mandated that you mention every event that happened to you. It is just a 60 to 80-thousand-word script, remember? So, it is beneficial if you don’t follow the cliché rule of heading for the hardest and most sensitive parts first. No! Set your priorities with zero pressure.
9- Follow a Logline
A logline is a summarized story of any content. To make it easy, think of it like a plot teaser or a synopsis. For example: ‘This story is about [add your unique experience here] and how I learned [your life lesson].’ This short logline will keep you focused.
10- Don’t Forget the Mundane Details
If you ask us, the real spicy stuff is all in the mundane details. Things like those mentioned below help readers relate to specific sensory details. What were you wearing at the moment? What song was playing? What did you smell like? These tiny bits of info can make an event feel real.
11- Start With ‘I Remember…’
Finally, every day that you sit for 2 hours straight working on your life story, make sure that your drafts start with the phrase ‘I remember…’ This is advised because a simple sentence starter like this is enough to set the tone of the content. It helps put the pressure of coming up with a fancy introduction to the side and focus on what the real aim is: writing a book on your life.
FAQs
- How to instantly inspire myself to start writing?
You should initially begin with a small scene you remember very clearly. Then try to get rid of any mental pressure if you want the content to turn out beautifully readable. After that, just set a timer for 45 minutes and start jotting down whatever comes to mind until it rings. Yes, do it this way instead of waiting for inspiration.
- What are the differences between a memoir and an autobiography?
A memoir is a form of writing that focuses on specific themes or periods. An autobiography, however, covers your entire life chronologically. Besides this, the memoirs are emotional and reflective, while autobiographies are more factual.
- Is it necessary that I write in chronological order?
No. Your true life story does not have to be time-bound. It is your choice completely. If you want to jump in time. If you find it better, follow themes. And if you think it works, bring in flashbacks whenever needed.
- How long should a life story book be?
Almost all the life books range from 60,000 to 80,000 words. This is because shorter works can be impactful, as publishers prefer this length for marketability.
The Final Words
Writing a book about your life story is almost like giving strangers permission to witness your truth. This means you need to be ready for others to judge it, feel it, or even carry the lessons forward. So, make sure each and every part of your book is well-structured and refined with the help of an experienced professional. Also, you must consider following at least two out of the above-mentioned tips for a much more successful attempt at writing. Don’t think, just go for it.