Writer

The Book you were Born to Write

~ gypsy116toast2001 ~ Leave a comment

I’ve been reading The Book you were Born to Write by Kelly Notaras.

I’m only about a third of the way through but so far, I’m finding it helpful. I’ve started working on my first memoir. I have actually written something, not much but something. I still didn’t have a full grasp on what I’m writing. I’ve got the gist but I’m still struggling with the structure and what I want to include. To help, I’ve been reading only writing books and memoirs. I’m using them like a class of sorts.

Anyway, The Book you were Born to Write…Kelly includes exercises that have nothing to do with the actual writing but more of the motivation to write, and getting clearer on your vision. She suggests that you make a mock cover for you book so that you have something tangible to hold in your hands. I don’t have the means to have one actually printed out but I did decide to make one so that I can visualize my book as well, a book. I’d like to know your opinions. Keep in mind that’s it’s really basic (I made it in Google photos in a very short amount of time). Please, if you give your opinion, be honest but also kind. Thank you ❤️

This isn’t an autism memoir

~ gypsy116toast2001 ~ Leave a comment

My sleep has been restless. I fall asleep, mind clear, but clearly my subconscious is obsessed with my writing a memoir. It seems that until I know the details of what I’m writing, the theme, the structure, my mind will not stop trying to figure that out.

Originally, I though I wanted to write an autism memoir. I’m not so sure that I do. Every memoir that I’ve read on autism is information heavy. You know, diagnostic criteria, facts and statistics and what not. I don’t think that’s the book I’m writing.

I’ve always imagined my book to be more, hmm, emotional. I’ve lived many lives. Most spent grappling with my own internal experience. I feel like that’s my book.

I’m not sure exactly and that’s the problem, it seems. Any memoir that I write will be an autism memoir. There are no stories that belong to me that are without autism. There is no me without autism. It’s not like some parts of myself that are singular in their existence in my life. It is my brain. Autism is the whole of me, but… I don’t think this is an “autism memoir”. If not that, if I don’t have that structure to hold onto, then what?

But Everyone Feels this Way

~ gypsy116toast2001 ~ Leave a comment

I was thinking about writers and how it’s easier to publish a book if you already have an audience, and the need to support those that you enjoy and that brought me to the realization that I totally forgot to do a review for Paige Layle’s book, But Everyone Feels this Way. I read it quite awhile ago, so I don’t really remember the specifics but I do remember what I wanted to say.

If you are unfamiliar with Paige, she makes content on social media speaking about autism. I like Paige. I have from the first video of her’s that I came across. She does , however, have a way of sometimes coming across as if her opinion is THE truth. I find that irksome at times but…. I like her. I find her content relatable and entertaining.

That said, after reading her book, I like her even more. Reading her story helped me to reframe some of what I found off-putting. This is definitely one of my favorite memoirs about autism.

Autism presents in such a wide variety of ways… If you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person, so it’s hard to say whether or not anyone else would feel the same way that I do. I think the memoirs people tend to like best are the ones they most relate to but… Other than Drama Queen… This is my favorite.

So, here’s me showing support for Paige. I highly recommend it.