Learning to Write a Book
Writing a book was never part of the plan.
I had a story I wanted to tell, but discovering how to turn that story into a memoir was an entirely different matter. Along the way, I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that writing a book is as much about learning the craft as it is about having something to say.
And fortunately, I haven't had to learn it entirely on my own.
Learning to Write
Living in Quebec's Eastern Townships has given me an unexpected connection to a wonderfully creative writing community. I’m a member of Write Here, Write Now, a creative writing community supported by Bishop’s University, where writers come together to write, share ideas and, importantly, receive feedback.
The Eastern Townships has a strong literary culture of its own, with the Knowlton Literary Festival bringing writers and readers together each year. And then there is Louise Penny, whose home and inspiration for Three Pines are just down the road.
So, in a rather lovely twist of fate, I found myself trying to learn how to write a book in a place where books, writers and stories seem to be everywhere.
And then there was NZSA
My other great source of support has been the New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA).
As a New Zealand writer, I have found NZSA invaluable, not just for the resources and guidance they provide, but for the reassurance that comes from knowing there are people who understand the strange, sometimes exhilarating and occasionally terrifying business of trying to turn a manuscript into a book.
Two French Villages- Two Summers in France: Two Kiwis, Two Kids, Too Many Visitors was fortunate to be selected for the 2025 CompleteMS Manuscript Assessment Programme, which gave me the opportunity to have my manuscript assessed by an experienced and compassionate manuscript assessor.
It was a significant step in my writing journey.
Having someone who could look at the manuscript as a whole, understand what I was trying to achieve and then give thoughtful, honest and constructive feedback was enormously valuable. Even more importantly, I came to appreciate just how valuable compassionate feedback can be when you have spent years writing something that is deeply personal.
The assessment didn't mean I suddenly knew how to write a book.
It meant I understood much better what I still needed to learn.
And then there was Reedsy
Then there was Reedsy — another discovery that became an important part of my writing education.
Reedsy has been useful to me in two quite different ways. First, its online Book Editor has been the writing workspace where I have developed and worked on my manuscript, giving me the tools to organise, format and refine Two French Villages as it has evolved.
But Reedsy has also been a classroom of sorts.
Its extensive library of educational resources, courses, guides and webinars has helped me learn about everything from the craft of writing and editing to publishing and building an author platform.
So Reedsy has been both where I write and somewhere I go to learn how to write and publish.
It has been a bit like having a writing school and a writing desk in the same place — without having to leave my desk.
What I've Learned Along the Way
There is no shortage of advice about writing a book. The challenge is working out which advice actually helps you write yours.
Through writing Two French Villages, workshops, reading, online courses, feedback, professional manuscript assessment, rewriting — and plenty of mistakes — I've collected a growing list of lessons that I wish someone had given me at the beginning.
Some are about writing.
Some are about memoir.
Some are about structure, characters, dialogue and finding your voice.
And some are simply about getting the words onto the page and carrying on when you wonder whether any of them are any good.
I'm calling these my Memoir Hacks.
Memoir Hacks — A Podcast Series
I’m developing a podcast series called Memoir Hacks, sharing the practical lessons I've picked up while learning to write my own memoir.
Think of it as the things I wish I'd known before I started.
Short, practical episodes will explore the lessons that have made the biggest difference to my writing — from finding the story within the story and creating compelling openings, to chapter endings, structure, pace, handling dialogue, character development and the sometimes painful business of cutting words you thought were wonderful.
I’m not a writing teacher or a published author dispensing rules.
I’m a writer learning as I go — and sharing what I discover along the way.
Because if I've learned one thing, it's this:
Writing a book is something you learn by writing a book.
And sometimes, it helps to have someone a few steps ahead of you say, “I learned this the hard way. You might find it useful too.”
That is what Memoir Hacks is about.
Comments