8 Useful Tips For Writing A Memoir

1. Start Writing About Your Life

Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I want to write a memoir, but where do I begin?” If that is the thought that is keeping you from writing it, then there are two approaches to kickstart the process. You can either opt to write freely about your life or maintain a daily diary.

For those who are habitual in keeping a diary, you are in luck because you already hold a treasure trove of stories to share. All that is left for you is to delve into your journals and uncover ways to link these narratives.

On the other hand, if you do not keep a journal, you can start by documenting the significant events in your life, whether they brought you joy, sadness, or grief. Dedicate a few hours of your day to focus on a specific memory and put it into words.

It is important to note that you do not need to be an expert writer to pen your life story. Your writing simply needs to be coherent and reflect the key events of each memory. Once you have documented these stories, it is time to weave them together into a compelling narrative.

2. Pick A Theme And Genre

Selecting a theme and genre for your book is extremely important to build a relatability and connection between your narrative and your readers.

So, how do you go about choosing a theme? One effective approach is to examine the events you plan on exploring in the memoir and identify what are the common elements.

For instance, if all the events in your book are crafted in motivation, your theme could be motivational.

If the common thread among your events is self-improvement, then your theme would be self-help. Naturally, your book remains a memoir or autobiography at its core, but a well-defined theme will make it more easily relatable to other genres.

This, in turn, will help you plan your marketing during the time of publishing.

3. Choose The Topics

Mastering the art of writing a memoir involves the skill of selecting what to include and what to leave out. The length of your book depends on whether you are writing an autobiography or a memoir.

With Autobiographies, you can cover a wider array of stories, while memoirs demand a more personal touch, requiring an in-depth discovery of the events.

For instance, if your memoir is centered around your experiences in your 20s, it is okay to exclude content from your 30s or teenage years.

Instead, you can deeply focus on delving into the details of your 20s and what made that period so remarkable. This approach adds more relevance and vibrancy to your memoir for your audience.

On the other hand, if you are crafting an autobiography about your life as a professional athlete, your narrative should cover a series of events, such as your initial passion for the sport and the journey that led to your current status as a player.

4. Talk To Your Family

As time passes, our memories tend to dim and sometimes become blurred. It is entirely natural if you cannot recall a specific event accurately.

There is no shame in seeking help in such situations. You can reach out to a family member or a friend who was present during that time to jog your memory and ensure accuracy.

Engaging with others can unearth valuable details you might have completely forgotten, adding more depth and interest to your story. Additionally, if you encounter writer’s block while recalling an event, consider leaving a note for future reference and moving on to the next one.

This approach lets you progress more rapidly with your book. Furthermore, adding quotes from your friends and family can enrich the narrative by providing their perspectives on the events

5. Organize The Story In An Outline

Consistency and coherence in storytelling are two of the most important pillars to ensure your readers can better understand your narrative. It is important to note that there are no strict rules dictating how you should structure your story. You have the liberty to present it chronologically or in a more random fashion.

Many memoir writers opt for a chronological order, as it allows readers to observe how each event contributed to their personal growth and easily connect the dots.

Once you have settled on the order that suits your narrative, you can create an outline with key points detailing what you will discuss and how you intend to do so. This structured approach will help in conveying your story effectively.

6. Make The Book Personal

Old pictures play a valuable role in rekindling old memories. They serve as a powerful tool to make events more memorable, and when you incorporate them into your book, they become a gateway for readers to enter your world and become a part of your story.

For instance, if you have old videos and images from your teenage years when you scored your first goal or won your first award, adding them to your book will provide readers with a deeper insight into your narrative and help them better grasp the essence of your experiences.

7. Start With Your First Draft

Now that you have everything lined up, it is time to get started with writing your first draft. Keep in mind that your first draft will be vague, long, and might also be incomplete. So, keep the following points in mind:

• To truly engage your readers in your story, it is essential to make them connect with your emotions and genuinely feel them. Aim to include laughter, tears, surprise, sadness, and shock throughout your writing. Use descriptive adjectives effectively to captivate your readers.
• Dialogue adds authenticity and a personal touch to your book, but recalling precise words spoken in the past can be challenging. If you have concrete evidence of conversations, incorporate them into your narrative.
• Begin with a compelling and captivating start. If you are wondering how to write a memoir, remember that you must grab the reader’s attention from the very first page, even if you’re starting with one of the darkest moments in your life.
• It is crucial for readers to believe your story to keep them engaged. Therefore, narrate your experiences as if you are sharing something profoundly personal with your readers.
• While your book is nonfiction, it is still a story. Present your life events as a narrative, casting yourself as the central character, setting the stage, developing a plot, introducing conflict, and providing a resolution. This approach will compel readers to see your story through to the end.
• Avoid the pursuit of perfection. Your story can either be engaging or flawless. Instead of constantly revisiting and refining every part, focus on completing your narrative first. You can address errors and imperfections in later stages without disrupting your creative flow.

Infuse wisdom and humor into your story to add flavor. This will allow your personality to shine and help readers better understand your perspective. Employing humor, even in dark moments, can convey messages without overwhelming your readers with sadness.

8. Discuss Sensitive Topics

When you are writing a memoir book about your life, it is important to realize that not everyone can relate to the sad and sensitive moments in your life. Some readers may be looking for happiness in your story, which can make writing your life story a challenging task.

For instance, if you are writing a biography for someone who has experienced a tragic event like bullying, sexual violence, or trauma, it is important to ask questions in a way that lets them decide how much detail they want to share.

It is also important to be aware that books about sensitive topics can receive criticism from a significant audience.

So, you should be cautious with your choice of words and avoid being too one-sided. Even though it’s your life story, being overly biased can hurt people’s feelings and cause controversy around your book.