Drawing on life experiences to write your book
One author’s personal journey.
It’s a question I’ve been asked many times. Why write a short story fiction book (The Boutique) after a successful author career, penning 4 non-fiction books?
In my early childhood, writing stories dug me out of a deep hole I had fallen into. After my parents divorced, home life was troubled, at times traumatic and my way of coping was to immerse myself in books and writing. Many years later I tumbled into marketing as a career. Happy days, I could indulge my passion for words, writing enticing content.
After a few people kept telling me I really should write a book about marketing for small businesses, I bit that proverbial bullet. My first book, however, had the L plates firmly affixed to the cover. I was writing about marketing for small businesses, a subject I had many years of experience to draw from. The nagging voice at the back of my head, however, ‘you’re no expert so tread carefully’ effectively meant that my writing was not as strident as it should be and, my recommendations were watered down.
No such hesitancy with my second book The Ultimate Small Business Marketing Book. It hit the bestsellers on Amazon at position 150, which for any book let alone a self-published book, was the stuff of dreams. Within a year, a publishing group in China messaged me saying they wanted to buy the translation rights. A publishing deal with Wiley followed for book three, and another award-winning book before I put the closed sign on my writing. A period of ill health followed during which I had to regroup and allow myself time to heal. But, I never lost sight of my childhood dream, to write a fiction book.
I was simply waiting for the time to be right.
The Boutique sprang to life in March of this year, a collection of nine short stories with each character connecting through a fashion shop. Whilst I love story books where the roses are around the cottage door and everyone skips off happily into the sunset, I wanted my book to be less chocolate box, more gritty, compelling, and poignant. I already had one character – me! For years I had wanted to tell my story of overcoming addiction and then finding my voice through writing books. Now I had the opportunity, as fashionista in the making, Becky. I also love clothes shopping, hence the venue of a fashion boutique, bringing the characters together.
The other characters, whilst very much a product of my vivid imagination, are in part inspired by some of the most amazing people I’ve met on my journey through life. As for the storylines. They range from late in life love to overcoming addiction, coercive control and extortion with many more real-life themes to keep readers gripped.
Are you in that space where you’re considering using your life experiences to write a book? Don’t hesitate. Start writing and see where it takes you!
About Dee
The Boutique is available on Amazon in e-book and paperback. You can also buy a copy direct from Dee, UK orders only. Email [email protected] for more details. You can connect with Dee on Facebook, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
