071. Do You Want to Write a Memoir?

Is your life full of drama, horror, or comedy that movies are made of? Think you want to write about it? Let’s talk about writing memoirs!

Today, let’s talk about writing a memoir, what that means, and things to consider when so doing. Key topics covered:

• Memoir Is Not—An autobiography that describes birth to present in your life. A list of facts and a chronological list of activities would be a boring read indeed.
• Memoir Is—A story written by you (or from your perspective, if using a ghostwriter) about you that focuses on a specific time frame, event, or groups of events, challenge, or experience that tie together with an overall theme. For example, it could be about overcoming adversity and you share different parts of your life story that exemplify that. Or overcoming addition or thriving after abuse or winning at the game of life, or succeeding in business, etc.

• You don’t have to be a celebrity to have a story worth telling.
• You will write your story in the first person from your perspective. You can share your thoughts at the time of an experience and show what you learned from it. Show the reader how you doubted yourself, what you blind spots you had, your failures, and your truth. Be open and vulnerable so your reader can relate and feel your experience. Be authentic.
• If telling your stories still chokes you up and turns on the waterworks, you may need to do a bit of energetic releasing to let it go before including it in your book. You may not be far enough removed from it. You don’t want to go on media interviews and start boo-hooing because you haven’t processed the trauma. Get help if you need it; but consider releasing with The Sedona Method or Ho’oponopono or EFT (Tapping) to help move that negative energy out of your system.
• Show how you moved from one place in your emotional journey to another and made your shift or transformation. Your story will have a beginning, middle, and end, but that doesn’t mean it has to be written chronologically. That’s just the way you will create structure and flow for your story. You don’t want it to be a jumbled ramble of vignettes.
• Show how you survived and thrived, not just how you suffered. Help the reader move through the valleys and come back to the hilltop with you.
• There is likely nothing new under the sun, but you are unique and your response to your experiences is unique to you. You have an opportunity in memoir to help others relate to their own inner demons or angels and give them a perspective that can see them through.
• There is a quote I like from author Marion Roach Smith: “Memoir is not about what you did. Memoir is about what you did with it.”

Though there are many questions you can ask yourself about writing your memoir, here are a few that stand out:

• Am I only including scenes that help to tell the story and align with my theme?
• What was my intent going into an experience, moment, or event?
• Am I whitewashing my memoir to sugar coat my truth? (Don’t.)
• What did I learn from the experience/event?
• Is what happened transferable or memorable?

Abundant Author Affirmation

It is time again for our Abundant Author Affirmation. Write it down if it resonates with you. Post it wherever you will see it and say it throughout your day to keep your heart happy and your subconscious mind aware of it.

In my memoir, I share stories that are authentic, meaningful, and memorable.

And with that, we are complete.

Key Takeaway

Remember that when writing a memoir, you are telling a story with a strong central character (YOU) about specific events, themes, or times in your life. Bring your stories to life so they can resonate with and make an impact on your ideal reader.

CALL TO ACTION:

If you have questions about or want to learn more about writing a memoir, join me in the Prolific Writers Café on Wednesday, October 19 at 1 PM Eastern (10 AM Pacific). We will be talking with a memoirist and will take questions submitted during the live, virtual event. It only costs $19.99 to attend if you are not a member of the Prolific Writers Life community, but if you tap into the free trial, you can get in for free. Register at https://writesomethingworthy.com/Cafe.

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With deepest gratitude for:

• Podcast Voiceover Artist: Genesis Brockett
• Jingle composer: Halle Brockett
• Ho’oponopono Gongs: Harry B-Happy Bartholomew, www.harmonicthought.com; donate at www.paypal.me/harrybhappy