Writing your story – the first stage of creating your book

Kia ora and welcome to those new folk who have just joined us, possibly as a result of an online talk I gave last weekend to a roomful of amazing humans in East Coast Bays library, in Auckland. 

I write to you from a busy household of two raucous boys, one 16th birthday, one demanding dog and visiting family.

Last time I spoke about the three stages of writing your story – writing, editing and design (you can read that blog here). 

This week I want to dive into stage one: writing.

Of course this part is where you do the most important thing: write your story. And for every one of you this process will be different.

I know that some of my memoir students are up to their eyeballs in researching their family history, before they write their story. I know others have no patience for research and are drawing purely from their memories, as they write.

Both are 100% valid, depending on the type of book you want to write.

Some people will write, then gather more info, then write some more. Some people will just write and won’t stop until they’re finished!

It helps for me to have some structure, a basic plan, but I give myself full permission to change my plan as I go, if I want to.

The key ingredient in writing your story is to keep going, just keep working on it, one day at a time. 

Some days you’ll only give it 10 minutes, that’s ok. It’s very easy to give up: please don’t, one day your story will be someone else’s history. 

It’s very easy to feel overwhelmed: if you do, pause for a moment and then take the easiest next step.

Let’s get your story written: Plan, gather info, write, write and write some more; polish what you’ve written; and one day you’ll find you’ve written it. 

Charlotte x

PS – The next online conversation for Write Your Memoir course students is next Wednesday October 18th, join up to participate. We’ll focus on: book design.

PPS – Wellington Write Your Memoir students I’m coming your way Saturday November 18 to talk about all things memoir. Nelson students I’m running a one day workshop for you Saturday December 2nd. Christchurch and Auckland students, I’m planning visits to you next year! Join Write Your Memoir join these in-person workshops.