How to write a good book

Planning your book #

A generic memoir can work, but a clear focus makes the book easier to shape and read later.

For example, your book could be called:

• “The streets that raised Anna” — Anna’s memories of Paris
• “The suitcase years” — how the family relocated to America
• “Three people who stayed” — your partner’s three closest friends
• “Forty years at the workshop” — a working life, remembered
• “Before we were grandparents” — grandma and granddad’s love story

That focus helps you choose topics, gather material, plan chapters, and write stories.

But what if you can’t come up with one focus? #

That’s completely normal. Sometimes you need to start talking first — have a couple of interview sessions — and only then does the shape of the book become clear. Once works well for that too.

If nothing comes to mind, just start somewhere.

One approach that works for me: begin with your loved one’s favorite story, the one they always enjoy telling. Listen, then ask one question you’ve never asked before — “What was the weather like then?”, “Were you scared?”, or “Tell me about Steven — what was he like?” Let the conversation flow, discover new details in the story, and see where it leads.

Before you know it, you’ll have enough material to choose a focus for the whole book.

How to do the interviews #

Most of your book will come from conversations.

What matters most is flow. An interview shouldn’t feel like an interrogation. Guide it gently, stay curious, and try not to fire off many short questions in a row.

Here’s what helps:

• Break the ice. If you need to, name the awkward part directly: “Hey Dad, let’s try recording this. It’s just for us, so I don’t have to take notes all the time. I want to actually listen to you.”
• A good first question isn’t too broad ("tell me about your life") or yes/no ("have you ever seen a giraffe during your stay in South Africa?"). It should be easy to answer, but open the door to a bigger story — for example, “What did your Sundays usually look like when you were at university?” or “Who was your best childhood friend?”
• Let the conversation wander. Some of the best stories arrive sideways. “Wait, who was that?” is often enough to keep things moving.

First topic #

One of the easiest first topics is their childhood home. Where did they wake up every day? What do they remember? What color was their room?

Specific enough to answer easily, broad enough to go deep.

Let’s get started #

Ready to start?