5 WAYS TO FIND a BOOK WITHIN YOU
HAVE YOU BEEN DREAMING OF WRITING A BOOK…
but you’re not sure you have one in you?
Let me begin by saying, I believe you do.
Many people feel like the greatest legacy they could leave in this life is a book published with their name on it. Its a dream for many but only a handful of people really ever make it a reality. Maybe if everyone wrote a book there’d be less wars, more world peace, more love in the world - who knows but what I do know is that there is book inside us all.
Lives are complicated and colourful - no life is without its drama, heartache and happiness. Though human emotions and relationships are complex; culture and consciousness can differ where you are in the world but underlining feelings are always similar. We all feel loss, love and life with its ups and down. There is comfort found in the words of others, through their way of perceiving the world and their ways of coping can sometimes be inspiring. The joys of reading will always be living vicariously through the lens of the writer or traveling to places we’ll never see. Hearing stories are fascinating and as a writer, I love to find out about everyone’s story - there is a hunger that we have for knowledge and not feeling alone in the world and sometimes books are what offer us that comfort.
So when I say there is a book in us all, I mean really this - it doesn’t need to be some fantasy novel or a crime blockbuster ( though those might lie in your mind too!) but I do mean we are all capable of writing a life-story, one that as bland as it may seem to you, might ignite interest and intrigue in the reader. I always look at Charles Bukowski’s ‘Post Office’ as an example. A tough, raw and sometimes crude read, he writes as he lives (even though it was sold as fiction, it was semi-autobiographical). His life was a sad mess but the gritty emotion and pure authentic voice made Post Office a best seller.
Don’t under-estimate your own story - its imperfect, but its beautiful. Here are my 5 ways to find that book within you. My tips aren’t based on technical skills (there’s a lot of there about that) but instead, my tips are on my own way of excavating a life-story:
FIND THE STORY THAT MATTERS:
Despite all odds you’re still here. You made it through really tough times, challenges that most humans would struggle to come out the other side intact. Instead of being crushed, you came out stronger, more resilient and a changed person. People want to hear such stories but to write a story like that you need to have a strong idea - an iron clad premise. To be able to know what you want to write about you need to first identify the foundational idea of your book that expresses the plot in simple terms, and yes this can be done with life stories too. Let’s not worry about technicalness of a story’s premise here. Look to find the true story that matter most to you, that which was most life-changing and tell it with colour and conviction. Write down different ideas and then hone in on the one that your gut calls out to. Scribble ideas, mind map, play with the stories in your head and write them out in simple sentences. See which matter most and think deeper about them. If the stories shimmer in your mind with details - these are the ones to note down.
2. CREATE A LIST OF CHARACTERS:
The people that have come and gone in our lives are the characters of our life-story. Make a map of the ones that have been present in that slice of your life you wish to write about - create a mind map of all the characteristics you can remember, the way they made you feel, the way they dressed - every detail. When you go to flesh out your story you can use these details to add texture to these characters. There is something about the mundane details, the insignificant habits that add such depth to a story - don’t miss anything out, even if you spend weeks remembering, do it. Also remember, life stories are about your memory, don’t ask others for details. Describe as you remember these people and when you remember them you might remember them from your inner child’s memory of them. Go with that. (warning this can get emotional).
3. LET WORDS FLOW:
Add a morning ritual: free write with your story idea each day. See what comes up, don’t structure, don’t plan. Write whatever comes to you about the story you have identified you want to tell. Keep these notes, it is in there you’ll find some golden nuggets. It’s because when we don’t pressure ourselves to write, we come up with forgotten memories and details. These will enhance the reality of your story.
4. COAX YOUR INNER VOICE:
We are all afraid to open up the inner us, to be vulnerable and raw in front of strangers. But it is writing like that which appeals and resonates. To practice finding your inner voice, your very deep authentic person that you are when you talk to yourself, you need to establish a consistent morning pages (free writing first thing in the morning, 3 pages each day about anything) and no need to share this writing. It’s for you to let go of the barrier and fears, to open your heart and mind on a page - fearlessly. It is this with voice you’ll write your story with, It’ll be relatable and authentic, because it’ll be your true voice.
4. SEDUCE THE SENSES:
Out of all the ways of writing out there, sensory writing (for me anyway) is the most evocative. When you are able to write and recollect moments with such textured sensory details without using the obvious words (cold, grainy, noisy etc) but rather describe the space, memory, feeling, is when you have the reader hooked. But without worrying about technicalities here (as this post is not about that, its about my process of extracting stories!), think about reliving moments. Recreate a memory, with say a dish, colours, textures and place, if you can. Sometimes its not possible but it in whatever way you can recreate a moment you want to write about, do it. Music, photos, flavours. It will spark such depth of words, intricacies of your story too. As a food writer, sensory writing is everything to me!
So you see, we all have stories to tell and hence, books to write. Even if you never get around to writing a memoir, a life story or even a novel loosely based on your experiences, write stories for you. We always think of the future but the past is where the beauty lies, it’s the life lived. Pen it down - for you, for future generations.
There are lessons to be learnt everywhere and inspiration to be found from others, always.
DO YOU WANT ME TO HELP YOU WRITE A BOOK?
I offer one-on-mentoring to aspiring authors, please get in touch and we can chat about my mentoring programs:
Nurtured and Nourished.
FROM DREAM TO DRAFT
If seeing your cookbook or non-fiction book published is one of your dreams - my online course Brewed launches in October - this is a 4 week programme to help create your dream to draft cookbook proposal but also work deeply with creative and writer’s mindset to help you find confidence as a writer.
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An infusion of realism and ritual to unearth your authentic voice, craft your cookbook proposal and nurture your confidence as a food writer.
