Throughout the years, I've had a lot of people inquire if I could potentially help them write a book. Sometimes it's fiction, but usually non-fiction, and most of the time, a memoir. I'm sincerely flattered, but I always decline. And I will tell you why.
Although there are the most logical reasons (not enough time being the top of the list) it's always more about feeling like I'm not best suited to tell someone else's story. Now I know what you're thinking. Many people have ghostwriters (sadly, much more common than you realize), but I'm not convinced that someone else writing your stories is the best solution. The truth is that only you can most effectively communicate the narrative. You know the highlights and where the emphasis should be, not to mention the overall theme you wish to convey. Sadly if someone else tells your story, even with the best intentions, it will be difficult for them to align with what is going through your heart and mind.
A perfect example would be if you had a picture in your mind. You can find the best artist in the world, but simply describing it won't give you the final image you had hoped for because some things are hard to communicate. And sometimes artists are only sure once you're working on their art. How many times have authors admitted that the book they started to write quickly became something completely different? I know it's happened to me.
I always encourage people to write their own stories. If they need help along the way or advice, I can certainly try to help them, but it's their story to tell. It's cathartic and necessary for some people to tell the story they feel passionate about and want to share with the world.
Do you have a story in you?
