Debt Free Diaries - The Book?

fantacee

I think a book is an opportunity not be missed and applaud the way you have handled the question Martin (even that you asked!). Many folks are not internet/forum peeps and this would be a way to introduce them to real life stories (we all love them don't we given the way the media now does all that Fly on the wall stuff), books have their place most definitely - especially given the way they are swapped between friends & family, talked about at coffee mornings etc.. (I know I read stuff I would have never picked up if it hadn't been given me)

Am also pretty sure a book would achieve the purpose of letting others know they're not alone, which would be it's goal I presume? and subsequently educate others that there are places they can go to read more, get inspiration, avenues to chase, tips etc.. The Diaries are a mixture of tips, real life ironing boredom, humour and grrr days.. we all have them even in a "perfect world" - What some people don't know yet is that they are not alone when having those moments and in fact they are necessary in order to achieve an MSE style life and contentment - instead they might still be asking themself "Why am I doing this?" and continuing (in a downbeat manner) to compare themselves to the "Joneses" or what they've "lost"

I do however think that the the essence of an individual diary will be lost, not meaning that in bad way, but that the thing as whole could work, "anonymity" will be protected (unless you get a peculiar stalker) as it will be the core of the combined diaries that hold the message, and it is the range of moments which should complete the picture/story/book for those that haven't yet realised there really is a normal world out there somehwere

With the actual diaries we can share our whys, grr moments, 15 min achievement goals etc.. instead of just talking to a spreadsheet or to TV while standing ironing ( a frequent hobby when there's no one else about) no satisfaction in that is there? The book will just introduce most to the fact that there is somewhere to share, NETWORKING if you like, help someone and it's all worth it.

The snippets should eventually present a picture that no one singular case is worse or better than another to the reader, but simply that it is a fact and you're not alone... if the readers then want to come onto MSE or work with their own local network of support so be it, it will achieve it's goal I'm sure

Good Luck, whatever the outcome

mooomin

fantacee wrote: »

The snippets should eventually present a picture that no one singular case is worse or better than another to the reader, but simply that it is a fact and you're not alone... if the readers then want to come onto MSE or work with their own local network of support so be it, it will achieve it's goal I'm sure

I think that this is key.

Some people came on here with debts like (no offense petal!) Hypno's - massive debts which could seem to some people as though they were insurmountable. Showing through their diary posts, or even edited highlights, will be really inspirational.

Others, like myself, come to MSE with the realisation that they have debt, it's bad and it needs to be gone even though the amounts at the time might not be enough to have caused anything like bank charges/missed payments/debt collectors.

Each of us has gone through our own journey using the methods that work for us. It can be done. Debt can be conquered. I think that showing a few different cases could be really inspirational.

A person with £5,000 of debt can be in as much of a pickle as someone with £50,000 of debt - it depends on individuals. Showing us as individuals will help people to realise that regardless of the levels of debts there is someone there who has been through the same struggle and come out of the other end.

gilligansyle

flying_fresian wrote: »

Each of us has gone through our own journey using the methods that work for us. It can be done. Debt can be conquered. I think that showing a few different cases could be really inspirational.

A person with £5,000 of debt can be in as much of a pickle as someone with £50,000 of debt - it depends on individuals. Showing us as individuals will help people to realise that regardless of the levels of debts there is someone there who has been through the same struggle and come out of the other end.

That's one of the key things, everyone has a different tipping point, and reading the diaries makes you see you are not alone.
Some diaries, hypno's, immoral angel ( a while ago now), taxi, are really inspirational, but some would need to be carefully edited to protect the innocent.

hypno06

gilligansyle wrote: »

Some diaries, hypno's, immoral angel ( a while ago now), taxi, are really inspirational, but some would need to be carefully edited to protect the innocent.

or the not so innocent :rotfl:

hypno06

oh, and Martin, pleeeaase can you make sure that any book includes SouthernScouser's car mats......?

niccatw

So, Martin, what did your literary agent make of the idea?

swanfan02

MSE_Martin wrote: »

I don't want any money for this

Blimey slight change of policy there. :rotfl::whistle: