Autobiography Campaign

I have recently finished writing my autobiography. What I find amazing is that I could actually achieve this feat and that it has become a life changing experience.

I am encouraging everyone that has ever thought about doing it but not done so, to seriously consider writing about their lives.

I never thought that my life was worth writing about, but from the reviews I have received, I am moved to say it has been worthwhile.

You don't need to be a celebrity and you don't need to write a masterpiece. Just be yourself and it will be appreciated and form a lasting legacy.

Very good message to first time writers!
One word after another. Keep writing, and tell the story that you have.
Honesty and patience will go a long with a manuscript. It takes a lot of time, 4 years in my case.
Inspiration can come from many sources. Frank McCourt is one of mine.
Although we only spoke three times, his words were inspiring,
and helped to build my confidence as a writer. Frank implored me to write what I see, and what I feel.
He told me, "It is your own perspective of the truth, that will make good writing."

Writing about my life helped me to come to terms with all the heartbreak I had encounted. it made me a stronger person. It was easy ,the words came tumbling out. The problem is the selling of the book.Good reviews from readers but marketing is not an easy thing.

Very inspirational, thankyou!

Laila, welcome and thankyou for speaking from the heart, it's very moving and I appreciate what you have done.
You have achieved a great thing in writing your book and you should feel a great sense of pride, if you do, the rest will follow including the marketing. Keep at it and never give up.

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Liala, that sound like an excellent title. Writing an autobiography can be so therepeutic as to make such a big difference to your life, more people should do it. It's amazing how it can lift a burden off your shoulders.

As they say "a problem shared is a problem halved" and I think that this is more than just a cliche.

Keep smiling, keep growing in strength. I'm looking at your book now.

Chris

Sorry to put a downer on this thread but can I remind everyone that promoting one's own books is not permitted in these threads. (See "Important Announcement from Amazon" at the head of this and other forums). You are allowed to put forward your own work within the "Meet Our Authors" forum but not in general discussion forums such as this.

Thank you Chris, Hope you like the book.The cover is a reminder for me of happier times and is taken from photo's of a garden I owned.

Oh yes of course, I forgot, my apologies to everyone.

I have had a very interesting career which stretched from the time I left school until I finally retired at the age of 67. In addition to writing as a hobby, to as many as forty friends in different parts of the world, my work in volved a good deal of writing. So some years ago I thought I would get it all down in writing and was surprised at how good my long term memory was, going all the way back to when I was three or four. My autobiography took me quite a while to finish and ran to over 200 pages. As I am neither famous or infamous, I didn't expect any publisher would be interested, so I never sent it to any. But I was pleased to have completed it. Some years before that I compiled another book, this time of articles I had published when working in Singapore, plus essays and letters I had written, sometimes on very controversial subjects. I got a friend to run off a dozen copies of this book and passed these to any friends or relatives who expressed interest.

As it happens, a book I bought recently is called @Where Did It All Go Right? by Andrew Collins. Here is an exception to the norm, because Andrew is just an ordinay guy bt persuaded a publisher to publish his book.

Ian Macdonald

Thanks for posting Ian, I too found that I had better long term memory than I expected. It took me over a year to finish mine.
I spent time in Singapore in the early sixties when I was a child and forms quite a large section of the book. Singapore was a whole different place in the sixties.

I spent 13 years in Singapore from 1974, the first eight working for different trading companies and the last five teaching management at the National University of Singapore. The government did a great job in creating growth and jobs and solving the housing problem. The priority it gave to education has paid off. Yes much of my book dealt with my tme in Singapore, a country which was far in advance of other developing countries.

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I am so glad you posted on here Teraina, you are so right about getting your story down, this may encourage many others to do the same. It will no doubt, lead to a much greater understanding of each others varied lives and help to bring important issues to the fore.

Hi Chris,Laila would like to know what you thought of her book

I havn't read it yet, but I will keep you posted. Keep up the good work everyone!

I have also just published my autobiography, I had many difficult times over the years that I thought I should write about, including sharing my experiences to educate more people about the ptoblems I have had over the years.
I have hads many people say that they really enjoyed my book and that they couldnt put it down once they started. I know having the option of a paperback will encorrage many more people to read my book. I like your advice, you dont have to be anyone special, just having an intersting story is the most important factor. Hannah maloney- pen name for 1 book Marie Maloney.

I would like to read your book Tapestry Of Tears, my autobiography was very difficult to write expecially taking me back to the poinnt when I was in prison. I have made many big changes in my life now and I have grown up from when I made all the mistakes I did when I was a young girl. Writing can be very theraputic and I feel that I have educated more people in writing about my experiences in life. If I can help one out of a million people not go down the road I did then that it a huge acheivement in its self. Hannah Maloney-pen name Marie Maloney

I think autobiographys are a great read as there real and you cant get any better than that. My book

Hi Hannah, well done. A paperback option will be a very good option. I'm so glad you posted on here, it's obvious that books like yours will help a lot of people.

Hi Hannah,My book when first published sold 200 copies. I got excellent reviews for it.I had it republished as my original publisher ceased trading and no more copies were available and I was being asked for more.If you have a kindle it is much cheaper to get it from Amazon or it can be ordered from Waterstones or Authorhouse

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