Female celebrities are the key cog of the pop culture machine – historically placed under hyper-scrutiny – it seems that the narratives of these high-profile women have always been out their personal grasp. In recent years, there has been an uptick in women within the celebrity sphere publishing their memoirs – figures such as Paris Hilton and Pamela Anderson, who have been placed under the public microscope, have decided to break out of the mould and reclaim their truth through writing. Marking the era of the women of Hollywood taking agency over their own narratives through the power of memoir-writing. Rutger Bruining, a biography expert and CEO/founder of StoryTerrace, the UK’s leading biography-writing service, comments on writing as a therapeutic practice.
Paris was born into one of the most famous families in the world that, for three generations, has been dominated by prominent male figures. She became an heiress to the Hilton throne, and with that came set expectations from birth. Cultivating her fame through being the ‘problem child’ of the noughties, Hilton’s every move was well-documented by the paparazzi. After decades of living up to a character, Hilton came forward with her memoir to share her story and put an end to this portrayal – which followed with sense of relief and empowerment.
Whether you’re a high-profile figure or not, writing is a cathartic process that allows you to make peace with your past, and StoryTerrace has seen first-hand how thousands of women have developed a deeper connection with themselves through the memoir-writing service. Proprietary research from the memoir-writing firm has unveiled that over two million women plan to write their own book in the upcoming year, and 39% feel that by the age of 40, they will have experienced enough to write their life story so far.
Rutger Bruining, CEO/founder of StoryTerrace, comments on writing as a therapeutic practice:
“Writing down our experiences has always been a powerful tool of expression and preservation. Now we know, as research suggests, it is also extremely beneficial for our mental health and represents a beacon of hope for others going through similar circumstances. When we take a step back and consider the value of sharing and telling our stories, we can see the benefits to not only the individual, but their family, friends, loved ones and even members of the public who can relate to a similar experience.”
“There is power in the written word, and I am honoured to work at a company where over 750 amazing ghostwriters get the chance to enjoy their love of writing and curate relationships with clients where they feel listened to and appreciated. The magic of books – is that they are there forever. The legacy is literally preserved in an art form to be cherished and passed down.”
