Tom Selleck Shares His Writing Journey: ‘I Can’t Think in Front of a Keyboard’

Tom Selleck Reveals He Wrote His New Memoir by Hand

Tom Selleck has disclosed that he penned his memoir, You Never Know, entirely by hand. The 79-year-old actor explained that he prefers this method because he “can’t think in front of a keyboard.”

Known for his iconic role as private investigator Thomas Magnum in the beloved 1980s series Magnum, P.I., Selleck shared with Town and Country magazine, “I’ve always written that way; it’s the only way I know how to write. I can’t process things the same way when I’m scrolling.”

He humorously noted that this preference sometimes frustrates his colleagues on Blue Bloods, as he insists on receiving scripts in printed form. “I need to see the paper,” he added, highlighting how much he values the tactile experience of writing.

Though Selleck has always been private about his life, he felt he opened up more than ever in this memoir. He acknowledged the challenge of sharing personal stories while respecting the privacy of others involved, stating, “I was aware that it affects them significantly.”

You Never Know takes readers through Selleck’s journey, from his college days at the University of Southern California and service in the Army, to his time as bachelor No. 2 on The Dating Game, and the small roles he took on before landing Magnum P.I.

“I didn’t have one of those headline-grabbing lives,” he reflected, mentioning his role as Monica Geller’s love interest on Friends. “To make the book entertaining—my main goal—I wanted to give readers a glimpse inside my head.”

Over the course of four years, he wrote on yellow legal pads, detailing his experiences with six unsold pilots, a poorly received film, and ultimately achieving success with Magnum P.I. in his mid-30s. “I want to speak the language of our business to young actors,” he said, emphasizing the challenges of the industry.

Despite his towering 6’4″ stature and good looks, Selleck admitted to struggling with insecurity. “That critic on your shoulder is a formidable opponent,” he wrote.

In the memoir, he also reflects on personal growth, expressing pride in his willingness to take risks: “They don’t always pay off, but many times they do. Risk is the price you pay for opportunity itself.”