want to write my story

by Tracy
(Dallas)

QUESTION

I was sent to a wilderness program in Utah at age 15 and 16 called Challenger Foundation. This was 20 years ago..kids ended up dying out there..it was horrible. I was badly abused there. I want to write this shocking story and I believe it is something people would read. How do I go about it? I wish an author would help me write it..is this possible and how do I find someone to help me?

ANSWER

Tracy, it sounds as if you're looking for a ghostwriter. You are in the US, so if you contact the National Writers' Union they will be able to put you in touch with a ghostwriter. The services of a ghostwriter do not come cheap, however.

Alternatively, you can begin by writing one scene at a time in your own words. Find a memoir that is similar to what you have in mind, and use it as a guide to get everything you can down on paper. Later, you can join a writers' group or hire a mentor to help you shape it into a complete narrative.

The important step, right now, is to get your thoughts on paper. Perhaps you can imagine that you're writing a letter to a friend. Make a list of questions a friend might want to know:

• Why were you sent on the wilderness program?


• Were you excited about going?


• What did you expect you'd get out of the program?


• Was the experience enjoyable at first?


• Where were you taken?


• What were your accommodations like?


• Were you treated well at first?


• Did you make any new friends?


• What was your first clue that you were in trouble?


• What initial incident changed everything?


• How did you react to that?


• Then what happened?

Think of as many questions as you can. Ask others what they want to know. Then sit down and answer the questions, one by one, in as much detail as you can. Again, you can use a similar book for ideas about the sorts of details to include.

This sounds like an important story. I wish you luck.