On Writing : Ask Me Anything (AMA) 11/15 to 11/16- How do you write and publish your true story? by Suzanne Corso

Hi Suzanne Corso - thank you so much for spending your day with us for this AMA!

I have two questions if I may...

1. Why do you think that many authors shy away from writing about their own story?

"INSIDE OUT. Oftentimes, the best stories are based on your own truth." So true. Jerel Damon and I are (in the last stages of) writing a controversial holocaust screenplay (sorry, not a novel) inspired on an eyewitness report described in the book Treblinka; if I wouldn't have given the story my own swung, there wouldn't even be a decent story to tell,. My question: Can being too precise, detailed, in describing your story, harm it?

Authors shy away simply because they don't want their truth out there or somewhat exposed. That is so understandable. However, you can easily write a fictitious version of the truth!!!

Love it. Thank you Suzanne Corso !

You can never tell what will happen when a book is released into the marketplace, having said that. Strive to get the right PR team behind you. If that is too pricey, then opt for the world of social media. Afterall look at what we have today . These tools are endless and reach millions!!

PS Great questions!!!!

Thanks again, Suzanne Corso !

Hi, Suzanne Corso. Thank you for having this AMA! My question is your question: How can I do this (write a true story), but still make it into a novel and protect the innocent?

Thank you for your time. I look forward to reading the Q&As

Thank you Jill and Maurice.

Maurice write the book true. Then go back and edit names, places and collaborate all events. Its the only way.

Maurice Vaughan Keep going

@rutgeroosterhoff You can never be too much of anything. Be true to you and write your story. Then reread and edit and see how you feel. I always go by my gut..it's the only way. Truth is great thing

Suzanne Corso, thank you so much for sharing your time with us today! What is your writing process like when working on a new book? Do you set deadlines for yourself? Daily page counts? What tips do you have for keeping yourself on track and moving towards your goals?

Thanks for the advice, Suzanne Corso! When someone writes a true story novel, do all of the characters and events have to be real, or can they add made-up characters and events here and there for entertainment purposes? I'm thinking the characters and events need to be real.

Thank you Ashley Renee Smith Love being here. I'm hoping my advice carries a little weight in the writing process.

I always try to set deadlines this way when you are writing there is an end, there must be. As far as my process, I always have an outline and know my characters. Without it we have little of nothing. You must learn to be consistent. Consistency is the only way to achieve a full novel.

Thank you Rutger Oosterhoff great question!!!!

Suzanne Corso Thank you for your time here. When inserting truth in a story, how do you protect the guilty from identifying themselves? That seems to be the biggest challenge when writing an actual biography. It' seems easier to fictionalize, or does it still protect you? This probably adds to Rutger Oosterhoff's question.

Hi Suzanne Corso , I'm going through the post roll and noticed your comment: "Strive to get the right PR team behind you. If that is too pricey,..." My question is, what is a normal going rate for PR? What should a nobody expect to spend to see any return on investment? You also mention Social Media: is there a way to buy PR (influence) in it? Thanks,

Sorry to monopolize the discussion with financial (boring) questions, but another one I have is: Life Rights -- it seems to me, any film/tv option on a true life story must include the life publicity rights of the participants. Is writing an autobiography or hiring a biographer to come up with a tangible IP (the book) a way around this? For instance, will any producer worth their legal team option adaptation rights to a true story while foregoing the life publicity rights?

Yes, it's a about Consistency Suzanne,

This is how Denzel sees it:

https://www.facebook.com/100003911125183/posts/pfbid0zsidznzfJduHns2bJV5...

Morgan Aitken Great question!!! Well buying rights is always a strict game. You must follow the story, however you can make up your own. It would have to be far away from that original story.

Well the people that are guilty always know who they are...trust me I went down that road with my first book...Brooklyn Story. @debbieelicksen You keep writing doesn't make a difference it is your story and your voice.

PR is always different, depending on who it is and how famous a marketer they are. Always research.....

Suzanne is the best :)

Suzanne, first and foremost, thank you for being here and for taking the time. Fantastic to have you and your knowledge on Stage 32.

My questions are more on the business side. I'm wondering how you were able to get Simon & Schuster on board. Did you secure an agent? Go it alone? So many people in this forum have had difficulty landing representation and, as a result, have gone the self publishing model which, of course, comes with its own set of challenges.

I'd love if you could share some history and advice as it relates to navigating the business.

Richard "RB" Botto another great question. I probably one through 50 agents until I finally got one who loved my manuscript and then at the time Simon Schuster got rid of pocketbooks which is one of their imprints and they create a gallery books. And I remember the executive editor there reading the first 10 pages of my manuscript and then requesting the rest of it annexing you know I was there for meeting and the rest is history. And it was a long road cause I had written my book when I was 17 years old and I did not publish my book till I was 41 years old so it’s a long road and I was all scared at first because talk about true stories and turning them into fictitious stories.

Hi Suzanne Corso! Thanks for doing this AMA! I'm curious, are there any examples of autobiographical novels that you would recommend writers check out or that you find the most inspiring (for content, style, execution, whatever)?

Thanks for being here Suzanne Corso! How would you advise people on choosing the stories to tell and the stories to cut when basing it on their own lives?

For me Suzanne Corso True stories are the easiest to write, especially if it mine.*

Emily J Thank you. To be honest I would have to research that. Autobiographical is true anyway, nothing to hide. So, therefore a lot easier to write.

Niki H Hi there! Choose the most detailed and interesting stories! The most dramatic and real life. People want action and suspense. Life real life is filled with this!!!!!!

Appreciate your answer, Suzanne Corso. So very insightful. This was one uplifting AMA!