My a-ha moment
I spend all day yesterday with my nose buried inside a book titled ‘You don’t have to be famous: How to write your life story’. What an absolute delight. I finished it in two days straight, and probably could have sooner, if something called life hadn’t intervened.
Do you ever think about writing your autobiography or perhaps have somebody else in mind just perfect for that? Have a look at this book. Printed by writer’s digest books, relax, you are in good hands. Steve Zousmer is a highly acclaimed speech writer in US, (which is probably why you haven’t heard of him), and has got an addictive writing style. You won’t stop reading once you start, I promise. His passion for trying to convince nobodies to write their autobiography- for family & friends, is infectious and by the time you are finished with the book, you immediately want to start. I have a better idea, I took upon a challenge, of persuading another person to do it. That person is certainly not a nobody, not by a long shot. He is extremely well-respected, quite well-known in Pakistani higher education system. Lots of people, and I mean LOTS, will rejoice to have a copy of his autobiography. We will treasure it.
Zousmer assures you that you can do this even if you are not a writer. And the book is geared more towards amateur writers, (not amateurish), really anyone who is interested in writing personal narrative and/or memoir should give it a go. I am lucky, the person who I have in mind is an excellent writer, teacher and best of all a story teller. He served in the Navy for 30 odd years, held various management positions, is an educator and a writing enthusiast. He is the reason I keep going on, making books and writing my life support system as I do. He is my dad.
So papa, this is for you. Remember this date. Your copy is on the way, although you don’t need any help, perhaps motivation? This book will explain it way better than I could possibly do. However one thing might trump it. Do it because I am asking.
This is a lovely way to show your admiration and love for your father. And I will surely buy a copy, and of course get it signed too :)
What a great idea!
Thanks. Still waiting to hear from my dad though. heheh
( this is an approx reproduction of my initial comments which unfortunately became a victim of load shedding.)
autobiography perhaps may be not but I have several times thought about putting down my memories in one place in writing of course. In fact so many times in the past I came dangerously close to actually doing just that. Perhaps I need some motivation . This piece of yours will ,I am sure, go a long way in doing just that. We are coming to Australia hopefully by end November /early December, and I want to read this book asap.
I have been reading books right from my school days. ( I got this from my father ). this habit continues . Books have now become so expensive they are almost out of reach . on top of that libraries have also disappeared . e books are good substitutes for some but for me the part of thrill and enjoyment of reading a good book partly also comes from holding it my hands and reading at leisurely pace of my own.
autobio’s ( as they are known in naval circles ) have been my favorite all along. but mostly military persons. it is never too late . suggest to me few good ones.
i am one of those who love to write but never write. thousand thoughts and ideas bombard my mind every zillion seconds but when i sit down to write, i feel empty. Now, i know i have a must read book and thanks to you. Am sure Papa loved it.
[...] Just some book for thought. Ouch! [...]