Just You and I

When it comes to writing a self-help book, or a book meant to assist a certain demographic, the authoring of such books can be tricky. Before I started the editing and revising of a book I began writing years ago, I knew I had to keep the book’s focus clear. I also had to approach the writing of this book not as “the voice of authority” but more like someone who has “been there, done that.”

 

The thing of it is, I am NOT the voice of authority on this topic. Yes, I have years of experience under my belt, but I’m not an expert on the book’s topic. And since it deals with something health-related, I have to be careful. I cannot try to present myself as an expert. I have no medical training and no training as a counselor.

 

I’m just somebody who survived an addiction.

 

That said, I have to keep that in mind as I write it.

 

Now, I don’t like to be boastful. I don’t want the book to be “ALL ABOUT ME” and how I managed to get through an experience for so long. But, the truth is, the readers in that group will WANT that information.

 

I keep thinking of what I would say to someone if they ever asked me how I survived managing an addiction for so long (sadly, alcoholism really cannot be cured!). My answer is always, “Read this book to find out.”

 

So I have to make sure that the writing is more about “I did” this or “I tried” that. You know? Instead of “you should do” this or “you should try” that.

 

In some cases, yes, using the word “you” might be helpful. And I think even the occasional “we” could work, since I am a part of that group and, on some occasions, the things I talk about can go for ALL of us. But, for the most part, using “I” instead of “you” sounds a lot better. And I also think if I write it in a certain way, that even despite it being first-person experiences, it could still be helpful to the audience the book is written for. I believe it could still be useful.

 

Yet, there I was, way past Chapter 10, and trying to figure out HOW to write a chapter on a topic that SHOULD be written by someone who works as a counselor or who is a minister or whatever. It was still a topic I could relate to, because that particular issue was a part of my journey. Unable to figure it out, I stepped away from what I’d written of the chapter so far and decided to just think about it. I did other things. I cooked a meal, did some chores and read a book. It was while I was reading that I figured it out: Keep it all personal. Use “I” instead of “you.” So I went back to that chapter and finished writing it as a personal story.

 

I wrote the rest of that chapter of that book with “I” instead of “you.” Even though the reader may nod in understanding as they read, having been there themselves, I have to keep it all personal, because that’s the kind of book it’s supposed to be. It’s my personal story. But I want it to be a personal story in which readers from that audience can feel empowered and have hope that they, too, can beat the addiction that I struggled with for years (and now going on almost 5 years of being free of it). I say at the beginning of the book that I am not an expert, have no medical training, no training as a therapist and that I don’t have any special letters after my name. I’m just someone who found a way to control the addiction that almost killed me. I’m in that group. I’m in that demographic. It’s a journey we and fellow recovery posse members are all on together.

 

This realization means I will have to revise and edit ALL the previous chapters written up until now, changing the “you” to “I” and making all those stories reflect my personal experience with that particular issue. As far as the writing of the book is concerned, I have to keep the writing personal as I tell my story and share how, in the end, I broke free.