I Need Your Help In Writing A Book And Would Appreciate Input

Discussion in 'Reading & Writing' started by Lon Tanner, Nov 18, 2018.

  1. Lon Tanner

    Lon Tanner Supreme Member
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    I would call the book "My Life In Assisted Living" by Lon Tanner

    To the best of my knowledge there are not any books or articles by actual residents of Assisted Living, just Care Takers. I am not sure how to get started with this and what things I should include or leave out.

    I am hopeful that such a book would be of benefit to potential Residents
     
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  2. Beatrice Taylor

    Beatrice Taylor Veteran Member
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    I would try to write it in a personal narrative style like a diary or journal and not as a technical how to type book. Sort of a first-hand account of your life over the last couple of years.

    I would start with the background on what led up to your decision to move into assisted living, how you decided which place was right for you, concerns or input from your family over the decision, cost/affordability, shedding old possessions and making new purchases for your new lifestyle, brief comments/observations/experiences on each of the features offered in your facility, social life or lack of it, the high points and low points of your life to date in assisted living, and finally what comes next. I wouldn't leave anything out including the difficulty of living independently as your health started to decline I would also encourage you to drop My from the title and include some of the same information listed above from other residents that you have met along the way.

    Don't overthink it just write it all down and then when your head is empty go back with a red pen and edit it, rearrange it, and form it into a book.

    Good luck!
     
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    Last edited: Nov 18, 2018
  3. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
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    If I could put more than one like on your post, @Beatrice Taylor, it would be my pleasure to do so!
    I especially loved the suggestion about including the testimonials of some of the other residents but then, I like every suggestion you posted!
    Great Job!
     
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  4. Lon Tanner

    Lon Tanner Supreme Member
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    Great input Bea, particularly leaving out MY
     
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  5. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
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    I expect more help might be available online. Determining what to include is major to what you want to say, however you say it. From your own experience catergarize the steps you feel important, maybe diagram the important subject matter you feel important or necessary to potential residential prospects or care takers, or decision makers who have a stake in such matters. Organize it into appropriate chapters and in your own words let your selected audience know or understand what to expect or what you feel they should know.
     
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  6. Lon Tanner

    Lon Tanner Supreme Member
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    it's about MY LIFE not some one else. I can't speak for others.
     
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  7. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
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    1. Look Lon, you put a “like” on @Beatrice Taylor and even liked the idea of leaving the “my” out, then you jump on me for liking what she wrote. Heck, I even put a like on your stuff even though I think it’s a bit narcissistic but I was trying to encourage you to move foreword with whatever project you might wish to entertain.

    2. Leaving the My out (which again, you liked) partially negates the autobiographical aspects of it therefore leaving room for other people to document their experience. If you wish it to be all about you, then leave the MY in and even put your picture on the front of the book.

    3. I do not care, I was complimenting Beatrice.
     
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  8. Lon Tanner

    Lon Tanner Supreme Member
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    Good point THANKS
     
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  9. Joe Riley

    Joe Riley Supreme Member
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    Most obscure people, who feel their life deserves a book, and they must write it, have to be more than a bit narcissistic.
     
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  10. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
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    And the congregation said: Amen...…………………….
     
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  11. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I think Lon makes a good point in the possible value of an account of Assisted Living from the perspective of someone who is actually living there, as opposed to the glossy promotional ads.
     
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  12. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    Besides, I have spent the past several months reading memoirs from non-famous people who wrote about growing up in whatever town it was they grew up in, as well as Civil War memoirs from people who weren't generals. With Kindle and other readers, regular people are able to publish and I enjoy these. They tend to be more honest, I think, and without the political angling that you get from those who are famous.
     
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  13. Joe Riley

    Joe Riley Supreme Member
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