How to write your memoir #2
If you missed the first in my series on memoirs, you can read it here.
When I speak with people about their memoirs, some recurring themes keep popping up. Here is one of them.
Confidence
Have you got what it takes to write your memoir?
“Sometimes I think I have a story and other times, not. My confidence waxes and wanes.”
Everyone has a story.
Sometimes our own stories might feel less exciting, just because we’ve lived through them. Remember, we are familiar with the story and how it unfolds, but it’s a new and interesting tale for someone else.
Of course, storytelling techniques play an important role here too. Even the most exciting adventure can sound dull if told in a mechanical way — and even the most simple of stories, when told well, can captivate a reader. Think about things like:
if you want to tell your story in chronological order, or be flexible in your recounting
if you want to use foreshadowing, to give clues early on about what’s to come
if there is a specific perspective you’d like show in your story (this will help you decide what’s important to include, and what can be left out)
“I’m not really a writer.”
Do you write emails? Text messages? Social media posts? Postcards? You’re a writer.
Maybe you’ve not written a book before, but you’ve practiced writing in lots of other settings. You can start your memoir with any skill level; once you get started writing, you’ll learn more along the way. To boost your learning, seek an editor’s feedback on your drafts, read other people’s work, and talk with other writers. And write, write write! Every sentence is good practice, and gets you closer to a finished first draft.
“Who would even read my memoir?”
Some people have visions of their memoir in the bestseller lists, but honestly, I think there is a more important audience to focus on. Instead of writing for strangers in bookshops, write for the people who know you. Write for your family, your friends, your community. Write for your kids and grandkids, and for their kids. Create a keepsake that your family can treasure.
In the next post, I’ll respond to a few other concerns from aspiring memoir writers.
