How to write your own story | Beth Reekles | TEDxTeen

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. You don't like any books out there so you write your own. 17 million other people read it too. You get a book deal from Random House and you become one of Time Magazines most influential young people. Moral of the story - something is missing in the world you create it yourself.

Beth Reekles is an avid writer, reader and drinker of tea. When she was only 15, she penned her young adult romance novel, The Kissing Booth. She began uploading it to the story-sharing platform, Wattpad, where it accumulated more than 19 million reads. At age 17, while she was still completing her A Levels in French, Spanish, Maths and Physics, Beth was offered a 3-book deal from Random House UK.

Originally from South Wales, Beth is currently an undergraduate of Physics at Exeter University. She has published three books with Random House: The Kissing Booth, Rolling Dice and Out of Tune. Beth was awarded the Scout’s Birthday Honours Badge for Writing in 2013, was named one of Time Magazine’s 16 Most Influential Teenagers in 2013 and was number 6 on The Times’ Top 25 Under 20 List in 2014. She has also been shortlisted for the Women of the Future Young Star Award 2013, the Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2014 and the Queen of Teen 2014 Award.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[SpecialHandlingUnit]

I'm glad I watched this, looks like she was out of her comfort zone but stuck through the talk and gave solid advice from her experiences despite the nerves, good on her.

[michaelstevenmartin]

I prefer "write the book you want to read" as opposed to "write what you know." A good researcher can write the book they want to read *about* the things they didn't previously know.

[saf]

I still remember the shock of seeing the kissing Booth at school library and thinking "I've read that on Wattpad!"
It's amazing how writing one story on Wattpad has lead to such great success and achievements .Truly inspirational. Congratulations Beth :)

[devikadas-leadershipstrate]

My 9 year old wants you to know she likes your video. It is inspiring.

[witoldgrabowski]

I deeply regret the fact, that I'm not particularly familiar with the type of literature and the writing styles, that this charming lady worked assiduosly, with a great passion and vision to develop (to the obvious joy and content of her rewarding young audiences, and against the somewhat limiting sometimes, as we can learn - circumstances). This, however, does not make me any less proud of her, .. And glad, that she was kind to share some of these detailed, personal insights, letting us better understand her experiences and perspectives on perseverence, wisdom, enviable foresigh and determination in developing her own talent and writing voice - despite deeply hidden (this often remains unraveled) obstacles and, perhaps jealously guarded, young talent's insecurities, which would all be otherwise a lot less easy to understand and include in our perceptions - especially - from the likely vantage point of the "more lucky", "more typically-gifted" or just more "lovingly encouraged", among us. - Great TedxTeen talk !

[TheWeirdMesa]

This has given me more confidence in my writing. My friends showed me Wattpad and I was in heaven. My friends were a big confidence booster, and thank you for even more. Congratulations on the books. I havent read them yet, but I will. I promise. (Hopefully you see this...)

[Korokorokorokoro]

A few years later, "The Kissing Booth" gets a movie adaptation

[coyotehollowband]

This is the best advice I've heard from any of the writing help videos. Kinda the thought process I had going into mine. When I began writing music I read a quote where Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top (of all the people right?) said "Write the songs you want to hear." This is still how I write music and this is what I am doing in my novel. I'm so glad she wrote what she wanted to read and it paid off. No matter your ability, let creativity flow. Don't worry about your skill, knowledge or experience. What ever creative thing you do or are inspired to do...do it.

[DrZale]

I've watched many Ted talks about everything from science to economics, and yours is one of my favorites. Can feel the honesty and passion you have for what you're talking about. Really appreciate hearing your perspective, and thanks for the advice!

[cjmoney]

Her words were very inspiring! I'm starting my own novel and although I'm in a bit of a writing slump, I won't give up. Writing has deep down been a passion of mine. Whether it be short stories, poems, novels, screenplays etc. Beth has certainly motivated me to battle my shyness of showing my work.

[brendacollinsdeeks]

I am an author and have essential tremor so I am so glad to see that Beth didn't let the latter get in the way of her pursuit of the former. I know another prolific and successful romance writer who also has the condition. I hope Beth continues her writing even as she pursues her career in the sciences would encourage her to continue motivating others to go after whatever they want in life! Thanks for sharing Beth!

[lillifrazier]

Just saw the trailer for The Kissing Booth within the last ten to twenty minutes. Read it YEARS ago when I was younger and found wattpad. It was a hit on there, and I do remember it getting published. That was already a large milestone for any reader on the website, but to get their book adapted into a film? Amazing. However, this is astonishing to see because there are so many small writers who just enjoy sharing their stuff through wattpad and this is a possibility for so many of them. As a really old fan of her first novel, I'm really excited to see it blossom into a film and acknowledge her success.

[chinasacasmir]

The thought of writing the book you want to read is simply thrilling and it presents a new way of thought for me in writing. Totally enjoyed this

[karimkaram]

This is one of the best ted talks ever, im glad I watched it

[sanjay]

That's a lot of wisdom in a young mind. Good for you. You seem to have picked up all the right things about your purpose in life, and the best ways to fulfill them. The way you speak is quite inspiring and I'm sure many viewers, like me, would like to listen to you narrating your experiences, again.

[danieljaygrossett-author]

Beautiful speech, humbly delivered. What a lovely lady, so inspirational! Thank you

[MatthewTheWolf]

I sense tension in her voice. But she conveys a very important and powerful message. And it was well delivered.

[Unwritdone]

This is soooo motivational, I’ve watched the kissing booth on Netflix but only heard of it on Netflix so I never really knew the author but hearing her story of how it came to be is so enlightening! Love this

[pageandink]

The talk, though brilliant, wasn’t my favorite part. The fact that she was so shaky, vulnerable and still carrying on with the speech was in fact the demonstration of the bravery she was talking about. Good stuff.

[ibnuramli]

"Everything in life is a story, So make your life something worth writing about"'