Is my story good enough to be a book?
“I haven’t accomplished anything spectacular.”
“So-and-so wrote a book last year and it was uh-mazing. Mine wouldn’t be like that.”
“Will anyone actually care about my story?”
“Is my story good enough to be a book?”
Considering writing a memoir but struggling with thoughts like these? Let’s talk about it.
What is a story?
Your story itself is not just words, but what actually happened. Real people, real events, existing like a being of their own. Your experiences are legitimate, no matter what anyone thinks about them, and we cannot assign value to them or label them as good or bad. Told or untold, your stories are what they are and they belong to YOU.
So, when you ask whether your story is “good enough,” I think what you’re actually concerned about is whether others will find it interesting or valuable, whether it will affect them in some way.
The value of a story
Before we think about writing, let’s think about reading. If you’re considering writing a book, I’m going to assume you like to read. Ask yourself this question: Why do you read? When you sit down with a book, what are you seeking—entertainment, education, escapism, empathy, humor?
When I get one or more of these benefits from a book, it’s an absolute gift. Good books actually make my life better. I’m sure you can relate. Thank goodness for writers who believe in the power of story and do the very hard work of getting it on paper and into our hands!
As a writer, when I realize that I can give this gift to others by sharing my story, my perspective totally changes. I’m no longer worried about whether it is good enough. I recognize its inherent value and give it the space and attention it needs to do its important work, keeping in focus its ultimate purpose. Pretty uh-mazing, eh?
It’s all about connection
Let me tell you the sweet little secret of good memoir: It isn’t about impressing people. It’s about connecting with them.
No one likes to listen to bragging, complaining, or bad-mouthing. When we consume stories, what we crave is a moment of connection, when the storyteller says something that resonates with us because we’ve felt the same way, or reveals to us something we’ve never considered before.
It’s about shedding light on our shared humanity. Life is rough, man, but it’s a little easier when we realize that we’re not alone, that someone else, though separated by space and time, has felt what we feel, has been through what we’re going through, has made the same mistakes.
Do you need a dramatic event to make your story interesting?
Absolutely not.
I’ve written stories that were inspired by such simple events as my husband asking where the safety pins are, my daughter making valentines for her first-grade class, and recalling the memory of my first bra. Typical, everyday life things. But there is meaning behind those things.
Notice when something snags your subconscious. It’s like hitting pause on the remote of life and saying, “Hold up. What just happened here? This seemingly typical incident made me think about something bigger. I just learned something new or was reminded of something important.” Chances are, if it snagged your mind, it’ll snag someone else’s too.
We’re only human, after all.
But do I have enough material?
Let’s be clear: Your story is good enough to be told. However, you do need to determine the scope of your story and decide what length would best suit it.
Maybe it would be best told in a personal essay, about 1,000 words.
Or maybe what starts out as one incident or idea could be expanded, and when you look you find there’s a lot more to it. Maybe you’ve got the makings of a book there.
Or maybe what you want to say actually needs multiple books, each with their own universal message.
What next?
Do you believe that your story is worth telling? Don’t move forward until you can answer with a resounding “Yes!”
Not sure where to start? Grab a copy of my Free Guide: 6 Questions You MUST answer Before You Begin Your Memoir
Want expert help bringing that memoir to life? Get in touch!
