Every year it seems like the world of pop literature finds a new low point. Last year Oprah looked on with horror as James Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" was outed for being less than authentic, a book filled with fabrications. The amazing fact is that even after all of the controversy "A Million Little Pieces" remained a best seller for another 26 weeks bringing James Frey more than $4.4 million in royalties. Thank you Oprah.
This year you will be starring down the barrel of another low of sorts in pop literature delivered in the form of "Slash", a "living the low life" memoir that redefines, sex, drugs and rock 'n roll. As if somehow the world needed that kind of subject matter redefined. The book is being billed as an intensely personal account of the struggle and triumph that Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash encountered from his childhood up to present. You won't find this one in Oprah's book club.
The description of "Slash" reads; "He survived it all: lawsuits, rehab, riots, notoriety, debauchery, and destruction, and ultimately found his creative evolution." It seems excessive... but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. Source - Amazon.com
That description sounds like they could be talking about Rush Limbaugh, Lindsay Lohan or even Whitney Houston. My point is that everyone has a story worth telling. Our culture likes to focus on the outrageous stories that move from the front pages of the tabloids onto the best seller list as a hardcover. Those are not always the best stories, because when examined closely you'll realize it's all been told before by some other reckless celebrity out of control.
The most interesting story yet to be told, is your story. The story of someone who has had to find hope living outside the spotlight of the stage. Someone who has survived personal illness or raised three kids while keeping a marriage strong for twenty plus years. Do you see where I'm going here? Your story may not be filled with alcohol and drugs, or maybe it is, but it will most likely never make it to hardcover unless you truly understand it's value. Is your story not sensational enough to hold someone's attention on a grand scale? So what?
You have a story that will inspire someone and bring hope to the largest majority of people who are just like you. To them the story that Slash tells may as well be told about life on another planet. It has no connection to their reality. You on the other hand are holding onto a story that you have been convinced needs to be told, because it's authentic and it lives right next door. The world is hungry for authentic and meaningful stories, so much so that they will leap for a lie until they realize it's empty.
What's stopping you from telling your story? The world needs your story to be told because we all find hope in those things that are found within our reach. Most of us will never walk inside the notoriety that Slash has had. That's the good news. I'm writing my book one blog post at a time until I have compiled a printable body of work. I'm already a published writer on the web, I could not have said that this time last year. My published hardcover is the next step. What's your story?
Are the people who are remotely interested in the behind the scenes lifestyle of Slash really big readers to begin with? I find the very notion so implausible. Then again, I am a snob.
Posted by: katrina | November 05, 2007 at 08:31 PM