I know you. You are NOT the next star of Desperate Housewives. Or a Kardashian in the making. You ain’t sitting around thinking, Meeeeeeee! Everyone look at me! Listen to me! I’m so great! Yet… you DO want to share a bit of your story. You have something to say that you think might help others. So, how do you write a book that talks about your experiences without sounding whiny, self-indulgent, or braggy?
Easy peasy.
Seriously.
One top tip
I’ve got one top tip for this. It’s a small mindset shift that makes a huge difference,
Make it about the reader.
It’s gotta be about someone, right? In made-up stories, it’s all about the main character. In celebrity memoirs, the focus is strictly on the superstar. For straight-up memoir, it’s about the author.
But if that’s uncomfortable for you, make it about the reader.
What, from your experience, will help them? Which stories will be useful for them to hear? How can you help them take a step forward in action, understanding, or enjoyment?
Even if you’re not writing something super bossy (like “six steps to start a real estate business”—what we in the writing biz call “prescriptive”), you can still use this top tip.
Because you’re writing to DO something, right? Maybe you want to pass on some wisdom to people going through what you experienced. Perhaps you want to leave your legacy, and pay it forward by sharing what you’ve learned in life. Maybe you just want to give some comfort or entertainment.
What does THE READER need from you to make that happen?
Focus on them and it’ll be less self-indulgent and more, y’know, useful and enjoyable. Winner-winner.
But still, how much of my story do I include?
If you want to dig deeper into this, I got something for ya.
Writing industry JUGGERNAUT (seriously, this woman is da bomb) Jane Friedman has invited me to teach a brand new, live writing class:
Memoir or Self-Help?
Clear guidance on how to choose your book category, improve your writing, and ensure you help others
Jane is opening it up to her audience, but I want you—my favorite peeps—there too, because this is perfect if:
You want to share your story, pay it forward, help those coming up behind you, leave a legacy, or share the message of your work to a larger audience.
You imagine your book will be a little bit memoir and a little self-help, but you’re not exactly sure what that will look like.
You know you need to connect with readers by sharing your experience, but you don’t want it to be all “me, me, me!” How much of your story should you include?
Or you know you want to share everything, but you’re worried it’ll sound self-indulgent or like a bore.
You want your experience to help others—you just don’t want to lecture people.
Click here to find out more and register this one-off class. (As in, I don’t have any plans to teach it again after this.)
And yes, if you can’t make it live, there’ll be a recording. But only if you register in advance.
I promise, if you’re struggling, this class will help you write with confidence, connect with readers, and create a powerful, meaningful book you’re proud of.
Thanks,
Liz “See You There” Green
Editor, Book Coach, and Ghostwriter
Green Goose Writing
P.S. Skim-read? Here’s the important part: Join me for a special, one-off writing class. I’m teaching how to choose between writing memoir or self-help, so you know how much of your story to include and how to write a book you’re proud of. Check it out here.
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