Writing Articles

More and more people are deciding that they want to write their life story. So here are some tips on approaching this genre. 

1. Unless you are famous, notorious or have lived a particularly unusual life it is unlikely that a mainstream publisher will agree to take on your book. So, be prepared to approach a small publisher or even publish the book yourself - in conventional format or as an e-book. But if you are considering these latter options make sure you don't find yourself in the clutches of a vanity publisher. 
2. Before you start, think carefully whether you really have enough material for a book without padding it out. Most books are 50-60,000 words plus. 
3. Even though you are writing about yourself there will still be a great deal of research to undertake - gathering information, talking to people to get their recollections and anecdotes, checking dates etc. It helps considerably if you keep a diary. 
4. Careful planning is essential. Make a list of the key events in your life and then decide if you're going to write a chronological book (one that goes from your childhood to the present day - in order) or if it's going to be a 'pot pourri' book (one that looks at your life under various assorted topic headings). Both approaches have their merits. 
5. Be selective, ruthless and objective. What is fascinating to you might not be as interesting to your readers. Don't feel you need to put your entire life into the book. Some facts will be less riveting than others - so stick with the interesting incidents! 
6. Tell your story crisply. Keep it tight and don't waffle. 
7. We are always interested in ourselves! But if anyone else is to enjoy your book it must have interest and drama. It may be non-fiction, but use some of the novelist's tools. Start with a bang! Make sure you have hooks at the end of chapters that will pull your reader on through the story. And don't forget how useful dialogue can be in revealing character and events, and in pushing your 'plot' forward. 
8. Think carefully about how much you want to reveal - both about yourself and those close to you. Will your revelations alter how they view you? Or, will what you tell about them risk opening a rift? Not everyone will be happy to see themselves in print. 
9. Be alert to the traps of nostalgia. It's easy - when looking back - to be over-sentimental and view everything through rose-tinted spectacles. 
10. And finally, don't let yourself come across as being priggish. If your writing is opinionated you will alienate your reader. If you are continually patting yourself on the back for being right or justifying your actions you will soon seem insufferable. As in a novel, the reader only really gets involved with the central character if they can empathise with them. So don't make yourself seem too good to be true! 

If you'd like to write memoirs or family history, but don't know where to start, then our Writing Your Life Story or Family History course is ideal for you. With the help of your personal tutor you will learn how to plan and write your project and assess if it's a commercial proposition or whether you need to self-publish for family and friends. More>>>