Writing Wednesday/ Writing Memoir
WRITING WEDNESDAY
Wednesday is the day I share what I have learned on my journey to publication, marketing and publishing again. If you have any questions please feel free to leave them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them.
Writing Memoir
Most of us believe our lives are boring but the truth is everyone does have a story to tell. We all have that one thing that happened in our lives that changed our course in either a positive or negative way.
What exactly is a memoir? Let’s start with what it is not. It is not an autobiography which is the story of your entire lifetime. Unless you are somebody famous that has many accomplishments to your credit readers will not be interested in your entire life. It also is not a biography, which is also the story of an entire lifetime.
What a memoir is, finally clicked with me when my editor said, imagine someone is taking a walk around the block and they see your house and walk up to look into your large picture window. This day happened to be the day that “it” happened. The “it” is what changed or altered the course of your life for either the good or the bad. What would that person, who is walking by your house, see? Whatever it is that the person would see is the place you start your memoir. After the “it” event there should be some brief back story, the resolution and how you arrived there and a bit about where you are now.
A memoir is about an event, an incident, something that changed you in a positive or a negative way. It explains how you dealt with the “it,” The author questions what happened, tells the lessons learned and where you went from that moment on.
The memoir can be written in first person from the author’s point of view. It can also be told as Narrative nonfiction which is written like fiction-in story form.
There is little dialogue.
The reader should learn something and their life should also be affected in some way.
Memoirs should never be about revenge and should not be a book length rant.
They are between 90,000 and 100,000 words.
When writing nonfiction it helps to start with an outline.
Make a list of any research you will need to do
If you are writing nonfiction, you need to write the truth. Real names and places should be used unless using them will cause great harm. If you are planning on using fake names and places consider telling your story as fiction, instead of non-fiction.
If it happened to you, it is your story, you own it and have every right to tell it in your own way.
An outline starts with a brief description of your story. The description should include the beginning, the middle and the end in a concise three paragraph’s. Next, write a paragraph or two on each chapter. Name your chapters and choose a title for your memoir. Nothing is written in stone, this is just the starting point.
I find it helps to have some photo’s and personal items that remind me of the time period I am writing about on my desk.
While writing The Stranger in My Recliner I kept a photo of Sophie, a few Peppermint Patties and a can of peas, all of which reminded me of her.
Once your outline is finished the next step is to write your proposal. Once your proposal is written you will have a solid foundation to write your book.
Happy Writing,
Doreen
You always have such great information! Thanks for sharing Doreen!
Thank you Rena.
This was so helpful. Truly. Thank you so much for sharing! I really love the idea of someone looking through your picture window at the exact moment where your story should start. Great advice for memoir and for fiction, I would think.
Thank you Jackie!
Although I approached writing my memoir very differently I think this is all excellent advice. Your series of posts for writers is very informative and I’m sure is helpful to many.
Thank you Elin.
I love the way your editor described the process – makes perfect sense to take that snapshot and fill in the color, the detail, the background, the characters, etc. Thanks for another wonderful look at your world as a writer. Love it, love it, love it!
Thank you Ruth!
Thank you for excellent info. I participated in a memoir-writing teleconference last week and it was fabulous. I don’t plan on writing a memoir at this point, but I think the same info applies to writing the most personal of personal essays.
Absolutely Lisa.
You always have such a great way of answering the questions we were afraid to ask. Thank you for your specificity and generosity.
Thank you Kim.
Thank you so much for sharing this. It really has my wheels turning. Your explanation of the difference between memoir and auto biography made me realize that my rough draft of my childhood is a memoir not an auto biography. Now I have a better idea where to go next with the memoir. My website link is to an excerpt from my memoir that I think you may enjoy.
Have a great week!
Good luck with your memoir, I look forward to reading it!
I love your process and your generosity in sharing what you know and have learned about writing. Placing keepsakes around to remind you of what you what to write is a great idea. I also love how you say it’s our story and we own in. Powerful, Doreen. Many thanks.
Thank you Cathy!
Great advice. I’ve never thought of writing a memoir, as I prefer writing fiction. But, I may give it a try someday.
I cannot wait to write fiction:)
I love your Wednesday posts, but this one got my wheels turning. Thank you!
Thank you Mary.
Good advice, as always. There are always exceptions, but you have to have this kind of info to at least begin. I think I’m just about ready.
b
You are a talented writer. It is time to tell your story.
That Maya Angelou quote is so powerful. I love that you keep items near you to remind you of what you’re writing about. Great idea.
That quote is on my desk, I love it too!
I love the Angelou quote and the advice on how to approach a memoir and even the negative definitions (not a rant, not revenge). Thanks!
I tried to write an angry book, I am so glad I listened to my editor.
Great information here! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you!
A nice overview. Everyone does have a story to tell. NOt everyone can tell it.
You are right, that’s why I am a busy ghostwriter.
Oh if only I could write an outline my memoir would have been written and published years ago. But alas—that’s part of the story!
Great tips otherwise!
I hope you write your story…