writing one's life story--what would be your serious advice?

Question

I would like to write my life story. I am not a public figure but I had interesting experiences that people ( I assume) would be interested to read about. Some specific examples--I went to the United Nations to defend human rights, I be-friended a former Prime Minister, while travelling in a foreign country I was questioned under 2 guns by secret police, I immigrated with practically zero dollar in my pocket and acquired a mansion etc. My questions are --who would be interested to read such a life story? is there any software program to help organize the book format ( I have no difficulty in writing)), are there web sites to help one achieve that goal.exact web addresses?Before answering -- please take a few minutes to view similar answers already expressed -- I did, and none are satisfactory. I am seriously considering interesting leads to encourage me and advance me in this project --please be courteous and informative in your comments and thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Wow. If all of that stuff really happened to you, you're a really interesting person. I think that there are lots of people who might want to read your book.

My suggestion would be to market it as a novel. Usually only autobiographies and biographies that profile the lives of famous people really sell. Go for the novel format instead, and include a note in the beginning to tell your readers that the book is based on true events. You'll be more likely to get the attention of prospective publishers (although this is difficult anyways), and you'll sell more copies.

As for the software, Adobe PageMaker software is good for any lengthy publication. It can control pagination, font use, and headings in ways that Microsoft Word just can't.

As for sites, you might find this useful:

http://www.lighthousewriters.com/newslett/memoirmh.htm

This guy is in the process of writing his own memoirs right now.

If you're up for buying a book with suggestions on how to go about writing memoirs, go here:

http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Memoir-Truth-Second-Edit/dp/0933377509

Answer 2

Lot's of people will read your story. My advice is to just start - somewhere. Don't worry so much about format at first & know that there are so many websites & books on writing & style it's really going to overwhelm you. Don't forget to be yourself - if it's pleasing you, it's bound to please others equally, if it's painful it will be painful to others so don't run away from it because it's too hard - keep working through the pain. While you are getting it all down start shopping around for an editor. You can hang out in places where you might meet one, or join a creative writing class or group at your local community college or even find a private group in your area. Once you start to meet some people and build a network the rest will fall into place. Good luck to you & if you'd like, contact me for encouragement & I can put you in touch with a friend of mine who is an editor.

Answer 3

I have searched for software that would plot out a novel, memoir or any other type of book, but since the subject is so subjective, no one has come up with anything valid.

There is however, a small but concise book that deals with the rules and regulations of good writing and it is called "The Elements of Style"

If you follow the rules of thumb spelled out in that little book, have someone other than yourself edit the book to shake out issues an author can't see, and researching the best market for your memoirs, you can achieve success with a well written manuscript.

Answer 4

Your life, I think, like anyone else's, is probably worth reading, but you're the ultimate judge of that, as the author. But to be honest, I really don't know who would read it. Nor have I heard of software for writing books..

Answer 5

interesting question, and one which raises one of the central isues in the philosophy of history. which events are important enough to record, and why are they so? who says they are important and what criterion was used. in other words: what elements are combined to make the narrative what it is and what message does the narrative carry? as for what interests others, that also raises another philosophy of history question. will your narrative be history or just a story? what makes a narrative historical, and do you want your narrative to be so? or, aren't stories far more powerful, take the gospel narratives for example...

Answer 6

let's just hope you're not another person who thinks their life is worthy of a book when it's not

Answer 7

make it funny