Have you ever thought that your experiences with a bleeding disorder would be worthy of a book? That others would be educated, comforted, even entertained by your experiences?

Many have. And they’ve written their own story—an autobiography. I believe the first commercially published account was the classic Journey, by Robert K. and Suzanne Massie. For many parents in my age group, it was our first read about hemophilia, and it was scary. Of course, it detailed a time of raising a child with hemophilia in the 1960s, when treatment consisted of constant trips to the hospital to get plasma or cryoprecipitate. But it is expertly written.

It took a while for other autobiographies to follow, but eventually they did, concerned mostly with the HIV scandal. Eventually, other books followed, including stories about life with modern treatments, included children’s books (told “by” the child), books about athletes with a bleeding disorder, and more.

Unlike Journey, many of the books are self-published. This is a fast way to publish a book but risky. Many of the books are not properly edited. Some have typos, or lack organization. As I’ve been publishing books since 1990, and have a great editorial team, I’ve been approached by some people to help them write their autobiography. I offer my editorial services for free, but there are times when I will reject a story because of lack of focus, poor writing and authors who don’t want to accept advice.

I recently read a book by one of my favorite authors, Ray Bradbury. Zen in the Art of Writing is an easy book to read, full of practical tips, and motivating. Bradbury is a master. If you think you have a story good enough for an autobiography, consider buying and reading this great book as a start. At the very least, consider his sage advice. He emphasizes having passion, exercising your reading and writing skills (the first step in becoming a writer is to be a voracious reader) and be brave!

From the Master himself:

1. The first thing a writer should be is excited. What do you want more than anything else in the world? What do you love, or what do you hate?
2. Be passionate with abandon. Tomorrow, edit and cut. But today “explode—fly apart—disintegrate!”
3. Write fast at first. The faster you write, the more honest you are. Bradbury wrote the draft to his masterpiece Fahrenheit 451 in only nine days.
4. Practice writing—anything. Bradbury wrote at least a thousand words a day, from age twelve on.
5. Don’t always look outward for ideas, look inward. Think, dream. Ponder your life. Tae long walks and let thoughts flow.
6. Read poetry every day. Poetry is different than prose, and causes us to think differently, more creatively, which will help your writing.
7. Read daily; find an author whose writing you like and can learn from.
8. Use all your senses when you write: color, sound, taste, and texture.
9. Edit! Find a good, professional editor and learn yourself how to cut. Bradbury writes of the author, “His greatest art will often be what he does not say, what he leaves out, his ability to state simply with clear emotion, the way he wants to go.”

And drum and crack the mind to awe,

To behold beauty yet perceive its flaw.

Then, flaw discovered, like fair beauty’s mole,

Haste back to reckon all entire, the Whole.

This done, pretend these wits you do not keep,

Go panther-pawed where all the mined truths sleep.

—Zen in the Art of Writing, page 157.