Wills and Spills, Therapy and Writing Novels As Therapy

One of my new year tasks is to write and publish another novel based on family history. Many people write a book on retirement, trying to come to terms with the loss of their parents, or a divorce, or a will. Will Disputes I recently met a lady I shall call Louise who was writing about her divorce and the loss of her husband and a dispute over a will. Doesn't everybody over 50 have a story of a death and a dispute over a will? I was interested to hear her account of her memoir writing. Family History and Novels Legal Issues One issue is copyright. Another is libel (the written word) and slander (spoken words). She had legal advice and was told not to mention her rival, but only publish extracts from court cases which are in public domain. Family History Of A Spouse Another friend was helping her husband write his memoir. One publisher had fallen on hard times and now sought a co-sponsor. Could the woman get financial help from her husband's family? She feels that the book would have more status if it were financed and published by an independent publishing house. Memoirs When You Are Too Tired To Write Her husband is elderly and has not got the energy to write down his stories. Even if you cannot write, you can dictate. That's what was done for weekly columns int he newspaper by the late AA Gill, who died in 2016. The wife I spoke to is trying to be her husband's copy editor and agent. Coping With Bad Memories I and others wondered whether 'Louise' was really finding the publication of her book therapeutic. She is currently worried whether the publisher will accept it, after she has made the legally required changes. After that stress is over, and the book is published, will she be able to move on? A third friend was forced, by siblings' solicitors, to leave the home she shared with her mother, within a fortnight of the mother's death. She is now a therapist. My Family Wills Now, back to my books about my family's disputes over the will, leaving money to the boys, and the second will, leaving money to the girl, and the third will, and the fraud. Must go - just got a phone call from will writers. Your Will Please leave me something in your will to remember you. Whilst I would find £100,000 extremely handy, or even £10,000, or even £10, or £1 (in new coins please), I'd be equally happy with a suit, or sweater, skirt or silk scarf, music playing puppet, or signed book, unsigned book or framed photo or unframed photo.