I've got an idea for a book, but I need a writer

[Droopy]

I have a mental illness called schizoaffective disorder. I've searched all over the place for books about the disorder and all I've found is a couple of clinical books in the UK that are out of print. So I got the idea to create a book about the disorder. Problem is that I'm not a very good writer and I do not have the skills necessary to write a book. I thought the format of the book would go something like this: A writer would write a few introductory chapters about the illness. This would include some facts about the illness, it's prevalence, types of treatment and such. It would require quite a bit of research by the writer. Then following those introductory chapters the bulk of the book would be people who are afflicted by the illness telling their stories in their own words, say 10-20 pages each. Then the writer, or more accurately the editor, would write a concluding chapter. I have at least one person interested in sharing her story already and I haven't really been out there selling the idea to people. However, I did write a publisher who specializes in publishing books about mental illness and he said that he'd be interested in seeing a manuscript. He could not offer me anything beyond that.

It wouldn't have to be a long book. I'm thinking around 200 pages. The most challenging aspect, I would think, would be research as there isn't a whole lot of information published out there in book form. It is possible that there is a lot more information about the illness published in scientific papers and journals that I do not have access to.

A book like this would be nice for a person who is suffering from the illness and/or his/her family. It would help bring empathy and understanding to people who are looking at the illness from the outside and would give hope to those who are currently suffering from the illness.

Even if you are not interested in being a part of such a project, let me know your thoughts on the matter.

[Lautremont]

1. There may obviously be stuff about you I don't know,

but my first thought was that if you were able to write this post, you already have the skills necessary to write a book. That plus your first-hand experience and passion for the subject ought to turn up a winner.

[Droopy]

6. Thank you for the compliment

But there are just so many things that I don't know about that would have to go into the writing of such a book. I would not know where to begin in gathering the technicle information needed. A lot of these types of books are written by people with Ph. D. and M.D. after their names. I also have a very difficult time writing anything of any length. I had a hard enough time in college with writing research papers. It turned out that I was a slightly above average writer and I really put a lot of effort into what I wrote.

[flamin lib]

2. Would like to converse

with you privately, but don't have enough posts to initiate that privilege. Please send me a private email.

[Droopy]

7. Done

[katinmn]

3. good idea.

Could direct people to resources that are available.

Sent you a PM with further thoughts.

[Droopy]

8. Thank you kat

I returned your PM.

[Technowitch]

4. Nice proposal, but...

...if I had a book contract for every time someone came up to me and said, "I have an idea for a great book, but can't write it. Will you do it?" -- well, let's just say I'd be a very famous, wealthy and oft-read author.

Instead of trying to draft one of us to write it, why not acquire those writing skills you say you lack, and take on the task yourself? Can you think of anyone better qualified to write about this topic, from the inside?

I'll warn you ahead of time though that what you propose is no small undertaking. You may be forgetting that you wouldn't be the only contributing story-teller to lack writing skills. Telling stories in their own words? With a professional author writing the opening chapters and the ending, you'll still be stuck with... well, a 'language-challenged' middle, to put it bluntly.

I don't mean to discourage you from making this attempt. Just trying to help dispell some misconceptions as to what this kind of project would entail.

best regards,
Technowitch

[Droopy]

5. I understand writing a book is a big deal

And I know what kind of research would have to go into such a book. I know just from writing papers in college that these things take a lot of time and energy. I simply do not have the skills to write a book nor can I acquire such skills. I probably don't even have enough intelligence to write a book. I drive trucks for a living. I don't have the time to go back to school. I do have enough skills and intelligence to write a 10-20 page paper, though, with some help from my spelling and grammar checker.

Regarding the other people's writing skills. Some of their stories would probably have to be edited. I wouldn't expect professional writing from people who have no training in that kind of writing. But I do think their stories would be compelling and that's all I'm looking for.

[wryter2000]

9. Sorry, Droopy, but I agree with Technowriter

My experience is that I have way more ideas for books than I have lifetime left to write them. I think most writers feel the same way.

Your posts are very articulate. You should try it yourself. Writing a book is a tremendous voyage.