That's a Helluva Story: A How-to for Personal Essays by Andrea Hoffmann

You don’t need an MFA, a tragic backstory, or a viral following to write something that moves people. You just need honesty, structure, and a little nerve.

That’s a Helluva Story is part guide, part creative companion. A smart, funny, and deeply practical book for writers who want to find their voice and actually use it.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• How to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary essays
• Why “tight” is right for personal essays
• How to uncover your authentic voice (and stop sanding off its edges)
• What separates a draft from a finished piece
• How to build a writing habit that lasts
• And why courage, not confidence, is the real secret to great storytelling

With humor, insight, and real-world experience, Andrea Hoffmann—creator of What Are the Chances? and Can We Talk About This?—walks you through the art of personal storytelling in a way that feels like having coffee with a friend who just happens to know exactly what you need to hear.

This isn’t a dry textbook with loads of pontification. It’s a pep talk with a plan.
If you’ve ever wanted to write stories that resonate, or you just need a creative push to get your words out of your head and onto the page, this is your guide.

What You’ll Get

• A 38-page, clean and easy-to-digest PDF
• Writing prompts and reflection exercises
• Real examples that show what works (and what doesn’t)
• Instant download, ready to read on any device

Perfect For

• Writers, bloggers, and Substack creators
• Anyone who wants to write about real life without sounding like AI (or everyone else)
• People tired of “how-to” books that make creativity feel like a chore

Because the world doesn’t need nice, neat, tied-up-in-a-bow stories — it needs honest ones.
And now, it needs yours.