Memoir Writing: Ten Tips
December 15, 2009 - David McConkey
Why not write your memoir? The story of your life – told by you
while
you are still around – will be of interest and value to you and your
family. Here are ten tips.
1.
Get Started
With any writing, the scariest part is often the blank piece of
paper at the beginning. But there is no better way to begin than by
just getting started.
2.
See Your Life in Stories
Visualizing your life as a collection of
stories can be a way of visualizing your writing as well.
3.
Value the Writing
Process
The writing process itself will bring your stories to life in your
memory and then be ready to record.
4.
Don't Worry about Form
Get your ideas down on paper, the style can be
improved later.
5.
Organize by Timeline or Theme
Write your ideas either in a chronological timeline, or by theme.
The
important thing is to get them onto the page.
6.
Write for Yourself, not for Publication
For most people, you will write only for
yourself, and, additionally, for your family and friends. Getting
published is
very difficult. After you have written something and if it
appears to have merit, however, you could investigate publication.
Options
include self-publication, either in print (which can be costly), or
on the Internet (which can be free or quite inexpensive).
7.
Write an Hour a Day
Writing
regularly
can be an excellent approach, but make sure it is
actually one
hour each day. You can't cheat by saving it up and cramming a week's
worth
on the weekend.
8.
Decide About Controversial Parts
What if
you have written something and you can't decide if it is too
controversial to include? Leave your
writing for a couple of weeks. When you return to it, it will be
more
obvious what you should do: keep it the way it is, change it, or
omit
the offending part altogether.
9.
Look for Help
There
are resources in the community - such as a memoir or creative
writing
workshop, a good friend, or a professional - that can be of help
along
the
way.
10.
Edit and Proofread
Come
back to your writing at another time and you will see ways to
improve
it by editing. Look at it yet again with a proofreader's eye and you
will likely spot errors.
Or have a friend or professional take a look at your work.
See also:
“Memoir Man” a Born Storyteller (The interview that inspired these tips)
From the Résumé to the Eulogy: Describing Ourselves
Having the Last Say: Capturing Your Legacy in One Small Story
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Effective
Altruism Poised to Make Major Impact
Popular Right Now:
- 15 Tips for Healthy Eating
- Quality of Life, Well-Being Research Something We Can Feel Good About
- Diets Don't Work, So What Does?
- Political Contributions: Top Ten Canadian Tax Tips
- Nestle Fitness 14 Day Weight Loss Program; What is Wrong Here?
- Charitable Donations: Top Ten Canadian Tax Tips
Must Read Books:
The 4-Hour Workweek:
Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
What You Don't Know About Religion (But Should)
In Defense of Food:
An Eater's Manifesto
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up:
The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
Don't
Even Think About It:
Why Our Brains are Wired to Ignore Climate Change
Like This? Share It!
Press Ctrl + D to Bookmark!