Helen Keller once wrote in her book The Story of My Life, “Someday you will write a great story out of your own head, that will be a comfort and help to many.”
If you want to be that comfort and inspiration for others by writing a book about your interesting life but you have no idea how to do so, then you have come to the right place.
You may believe that your life is too ordinary to be worth writing about. However, the legacy you've built, whether it's by raising a family, surviving adversity, or making little but substantial changes in your community, is valuable. Your experiences can provide comfort, guidance, and motivation to others who are in similar situations. The value of a life narrative lies in its sincerity and relatability.
So, if you've ever felt compelled to put your life into words, remember this: your tale is worth telling, and the world may be waiting to hear it. Let's look at how you can turn your experiences into a book and leave your legacy on the page.
How to write a book about your life for beginners
Writing a book isn't as easy as it seems. You need a proper structure that you can follow and discipline to be consistent but it's a fast growing industry, projected to grow by 5% from 2023 to 2033 according to statistics, so you should put your hands in it. To know how to write a book about your life story, you can follow these tips before you start writing a book.
Decide the type of book you need to write
When it comes to writing a book about your life, you need to be sure about what type of book you want to write. There are different types of genres that you can choose from:
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Memoir
- A memoir focuses on a specific period or theme in your life.
- This allows you to dive deep into a particular experience, such as a career journey, personal struggle, or a transformative event.
- If you have read the book WHY DID SHE JUMP? My Daughter’s Battle with Bipolar Disorder by Joan E. Childs you'll understand how she focuses on the traumatic death of her daughter and the events that led to it.
Autobiography
- A chronological account of your entire life.
- This type is best if you want to document your story from childhood to the present.
- A Promised Land by Barack Obama is a great example of a well-written autobiography book.
Literary Nonfiction
- This type of book contains real experiences and facts about someone's life but with an element of fantasy.
- This is a great genre to write if you are sharing someone's life story while taking creative liberties, but if you want to write a book about your life, it's better to write a memoir or an autobiography.
- Erica Berry's Wolfish is a perfect blend of creativity and nonfiction.
Brainstorm ideas
- Once you have decided the type of book you want to write, start penning down ideas in a notebook that you want to include in the book.
- Reflect on major turning events, challenges, and achievements that have shaped who you are.
- Make a list of key themes you want to explore. For example: resilience, family, career, overcoming adversity, etc).
- Think about moments of your life that others might find inspiring, relatable, or educational.
How to start a story
- After you have compiled all the ideas in one place, you need to figure out how to start a story.
- You should begin with a defining moment or a significant memory to hook readers immediately.
- You can use sensory details (sights, sounds, smells, emotions) to make the scene vivid and immersive.
- Or consider starting with a question, a dramatic event, or a statement that sets the tone for your narrative.
- You can also foreshadow the end of a novel in the beginning.
Outline your book
- Create a timeline of major events and milestones in your life.
- For an autobiography, you need to be extra careful about the chronological order of your story.
- You should divide your story into chapters or sections based on themes, life stages, or turning points.
- This structure helps maintain clarity and ensures you cover all the important parts of your story.
- It will also help you in writing the story more smoothly.
Write consistently
- Once you start writing, it's important to set aside dedicated time each day or week to keep writing.
- Start with short writing sessions to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Even 15-30 minutes can make a difference.
- Keep a journal or voice recorder handy to capture thoughts and memories as they come.
- This is a key element in learning how to write a book about your life story.
Edit and revise
- After completing your first draft, take a break before revising to gain a fresh perspective.
- Review your writing, structure, and emotional impact.
- Consider feedback from trusted friends, writing groups, or beta readers to improve your manuscript.
- Or try hiring a professional editor and proofreader from a trusted company like Ace Book Publishers to make your book flawless.
Keep it authentic
- Last but certainly not least, keep your story authentic by adding facts and real events to it.
- Authenticity and honesty have a great impact on people, so keep it simple but authentic to build your readers' trust in your book.
How to get someone to write a book about your life
Writing a book about your life isn't everyone’s cup of tea, it requires serious effort, skill, and most of all ample amount of time. But there is no need to worry, there are professional services who know how to write a good book and bring your story to life.
Hiring a ghostwriter
- A ghostwriter is a person who writes books for people without claiming any ownership of the book.
- He will listen to your story, conduct interviews, and if you are still wondering what should I write a book about, they'll help you figure out what to write a book about.
- Ghostwriters can help you organize your thoughts and compellingly present your story.
- Look for writers who know how to write your own book and have plenty of experience in memoirs or autobiographies.
- A ghostwriter will do everything you need done for your book, the only thing you'll have to do is “being on time, being prepared, prompt payment, clear communication.” according to Hal Clifford, an experienced ghostwriter and editor.
Benefits of professional help
Expertise
- Ghostwriters know what to write a book about, whether it's a memoir or an autobiography, they know how to write your own book and structure it effectively for readers.
Time-saving
- Writing a book takes time and dedication, so hiring a professional writer allows you to focus on sharing your story while they handle the writing.
Polished results
- A professional writer ensures your story flows smoothly, is engaging, and captures your voice.
Finding the right fit
- Research ghostwriters or reputable writing agencies online like Ace Book Publishers.
- Review testimonials, case studies, and references to check their experience.
- Choose someone who understands your vision and with whom you feel comfortable sharing personal details.
What to write a book about
Identify key themes like:
- Overcoming hardship, personal transformation, career milestones, or family dynamics.
- Focus on stories that offer lessons, inspiration, or insights to readers.
- Remember, the most compelling stories often come from authentic, relatable experiences.
Cost of hiring a professional ghostwriter
- The cost of hiring an expert ghostwriter varies based on factors like length, complexity, and the writer’s experience.
- You need to make sure that you are investing in quality service.
- Discuss your goals, expectations, and timeline upfront to ensure alignment.
- We recommend Ace Book Publishers, the best writing and publishing company that offers affordable prices.
I want someone to write a book about my life, what's the process?
I've thought about hiring a ghostwriter to help me write a book about my life but don't know how. What is the process to hire someone to write a book about my life? If this sounds like something you would say, then don't worry, we'll guide you through the process of how to write a book about yourself using these simple steps:
Step#1: Make a clear outline of your writing goals
- Start with having a clear idea of what your end goal is when it comes to writing a book.
- Whether you want help on a particular chapter you are struggling with, a section of a book or you want the whole book written by someone else.
Step#2: Look for the best book writing company online
- There are many book writing services available online but you need to choose the best book writing company that provides expert ghostwriting services at reasonable rates.
- These companies specialize in book writing services and know how to turn your story into a professionally written manuscript.
- They typically offer a range of services, including ghostwriting services, editing, publishing, and even marketing services.
Step#3: Pick a professional editor and proofreader
- Once your book is completed you need to get it edited and proofread by a professional.
- It's important to get your book edited so that it's free of flaws and is structured, clear, and concise without leaving any important points in your story.
Step#4: Get your book formatted
- Choose a format for your book in which you want to sell your book.
- There are professional book formatting services online that you can choose from.
Step#5: Choose a publishing method
- Once your book is formatted correctly, start looking for a book publishing company if you want to get your book published by a traditional publishing firm.
- But before you submit your manuscript, you need a literary agent to assist you in reaching a traditional publishing firm.
- If your manuscript is accepted by a book publisher, you won't need to invest in your book anymore, they'll design your book cover, publish your book, and market it as well.
- If you choose a self-publishing method, you'll have to invest in designing your book and will have to bear all the publishing costs.
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is a great platform to get your book published with a small publishing cost but you'll still have to market your product on your own.
- You can also hire a book publishing company to publish your book.
- Look for an online book publishing website like Ace Book Publishers to help you publish your book at the best price possible.
Why choose Ace Book Publishers?
To make the right decision, you need to know exactly why you should choose Ace Book Publishers. Here's why:
- From writing to editing and proofreading, formatting to designing, publishing to marketing, they provide comprehensive writing and publishing solutions.
- Their priority is to focus on quality work while meeting your deadlines.
- They have a team of experienced writers and publishers who make sure that your true story can reach your target audience flawlessly.
In Summary
Writing a book about your life is a meaningful way to share your experiences and leave a legacy. Whether you choose to write it yourself or work with a professional, your story deserves to be told. Take that first step, and you may inspire, educate, or comfort someone who needs to hear your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no exact timeline that you can decide to write a book. Time varies depending on the length and complexity of your book. Generally, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 2 years or even several years.
No, you don't, many people who write their life stories don't have any prior experience in writing a book. They just have a great story to share with others and can either try writing it themselves or hire someone to write it for them.
Yes, self-publishing is a popular and accessible option through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, or hire an independent publishing firm to save your time.
You can change names or details to protect identities, and decide how much you’re comfortable sharing. There is a popular genre called fantasy autobiography where you can use mythical characters to portray your life's story while keeping your life private.