I Wrote a Book About You

Synopsis

Sweet, fun, and lighthearted, I Wrote a Book About You is designed to be filled out by you and given to someone you like a lot--a spouse, a best friend, a sister, or even an awesome co-worker.

Summary

Chapter One: Compiling Your Ideas

In “I Wrote a Book About You,” Jenny Nelson guides readers through the process of creating their own personal and unique memoirs. In Chapter One, Nelson encourages readers to dig up old memories, photos, and other keepsakes to compile ideas for their books. To use these items as inspiration, Nelson suggests that readers make a list of topics based on these items. She also encourages readers to focus on key themes that will shape the book, like influential people in their lives or a public event that has affected them. As an example, someone researching the Vietnam War may consult photos, letters, and objects related to the war as part of their list of potential book topics.

Chapter Two: A Good Structure

Nelson goes into detail in Chapter Two about how to create a book structure. She suggests that readers start by writing a brief introduction and outline the main points of the book's story. For longer books, Nelson advises practicing a loose structure that outlines every chapter and the content covered in each one before writing the actual text. She encourages readers to experiment with various formats within chapters too, such as a series of stories from different people or putting each section in chronological order. For instance, if the book discusses a family's history, the reader could divide it into sections like the grandparents’ history, the parent’s history, and the reader’s own history.

Chapter Three: Self-Care

Nelson emphasizes the importance of self-care during the book writing process in Chapter Three. She encourages readers to take breaks when needed and avoid relying solely on memory. Nelson recommends seeking out comfort and support from friends and family, and finding ways to relax and decompress through activities like meditation or journaling. She also recommends that readers utilize a timeline for the book, so that it is not rushed or delayed. An example of this might be setting a deadline for each stage of the book, or breaking the book into sections.

Chapter Four: Editing

In Chapter Four, Nelson dives into the editing process. She emphasizes being critical in the editing process and not taking feedback personally. To ensure accuracy in the book, Nelson encourages readers to ask others to verify facts, double check past memories, and review emails or letters written. She also stresses the importance of checking grammar, consistency, and accuracy with research. To illustrate this, someone writing a memoir about the World War II may have their parent or grandparent read the text and answer any questions they may have, to authenticate the facts and narrative.

Chapter Five: Publishing Your Book

In the final chapter, Nelson details the process of turning the book into a published masterpiece. She advises readers to read up on types of publishing, such as self- publishing or traditional publishing, and decide which one is the best choice for them. Additionally, Nelson encourages readers to create a budget and plan for the cost of publishing the book, whether they hire an editor or pay for marketing tools. As an example, a reader may decide to budget money to hire a professional to design a cover for the book in addition to hiring an editor.