I was talking about the publishing process with a client recently, and we were pinpointing his goals. When I started out talking, I went straight to that “the-sky’s-the-limit” mentality and mentioned some different ways that he can use his book to reach the audience he wants to reach.

I stopped myself partway through this conversation, apologized, and asked him what he really wants to do with his book. Maybe he didn’t want to do speaking gigs and meet with groups of people to help them out.

He took a deep breath. (I think I had overwhelmed him a bit.) He wants to help people who have been through the same difficult situation he’s been through because he didn’t find many books to help him out at the time. Then he said, “Honestly, I’m not looking to write the next great American novel. I just want to get my story out there to help people. After that, I’m not sure. I just want others in this situation to feel like they aren’t alone. Other people have been through it, too.”

I’m sure that plenty of people want to do the same thing. You just want to help others because you felt alone, scared, or like you were the only person going through what you did.

And that’s beautiful.

Over the past year-and-a-half, so many people have told me that they want to share their story. And this is their reason. No one likes to feel like they are alone in difficult times, but when you don’t know anyone else dealing with the same issues, it’s isolating. This is why people want to reach out. We bridge the silence with our words, and bond and uplift through the pages of a book.

If you’ve been thinking about writing a book for this reason, do it. Even if you just write the story and keep it on your computer for a while. The time will be right someday to share. You’re not the only one who has been through it, and others will follow after you. Sharing your story can be what helps them push through to the end. You might be the inspiration they need to know that they can persevere.

And it doesn’t have to be the “great American novel.” Your story really is enough. It can be powerful and encouraging. Recall what you went through. Talk about the emotions. Really go into how you coped, who you talked to, what helped you through it.

Remember that not everyone deals in the same way. Also remember that not everyone will know where to begin. If a friend of a friend of a friend has heard about your book, they might recommend it to someone just like you, and that book could be what pulls them through.

What did you need most when you went through that situation? Kindness? Understanding? Connection? Humans need to feel like we are part of a family, whether that family is near or far. On a very basic level, we just want to know that we are like someone else. When you’re going through a tough situation, a book written by someone who has been there before can make a big difference in your life.

So the next time you get the idea that you want to share your story, do it. Here are a few tips for getting it into book form.

1. Make an outline of events from beginning to end. Start whenever you think it’s most important to start, and find something uplifting to end with. Even if your story is tragic, show that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, that there can be happiness after what you’ve been through. Give your readers hope.
2. Revisit your emotions throughout your ordeal and talk about them. Be open and raw, even if they seem strange or inappropriate. Maybe you will help one other person out there who doesn’t even know where to begin and their emotions are all over the place, too. Help them cope.
3. Consider what you want to accomplish with your work. If you want to speak, speak. If you just want to contact a few people at organizations that deal with what you went through and let them know about your book, do that. You don’t have to become a great orator, but you definitely want to make sure that your book is connecting with the audience.

Share your story with the people who it can help the most, and inspire them to take one more step. It doesn’t have to be the most amazing or unique story. It can be about a topic that someone else has tackled. You did it differently. You can reach people and help them get through it.

Tell your personal story!

Not sure where to begin? Contact me for a free 30-minute clarity call or coaching. OR, grab my free worksheet below to figure out why you aren’t writing and start you on your journey.