An Overview On How To Write Memoirs
Memoirs are not just for those who have led lives of fame, fortune, and adventure. You may feel your life has been only average, and therefore your story uninteresting. However, rest assured you have a story to tell. No one else can offer the same perspective as you, which makes your tale unique. To help you with your endeavor, here is some advice on how to write memoirs with ease.
If you try to tackle the entire project at once, it can be overwhelming. It is usually helpful to concentrate on specific incidents that are the strongest of your memories. Write separate, short pieces relating one incident or chain of events. You can arrange them in chronological order later.
If you feel more comfortable talking about your life than writing about it, invest in a small tape recorder. Speak as if it were a family member or friend and just relate the story naturally. When it is time to place your memoirs on paper, you can use them as a reminder or even for direct transcription.
Edit your content as you proceed. There are things you could tell which might be embarrassing to friends or relatives. For instance, a story about the doll your son had as a baby could still be humiliating to him, especially if he is a professional athlete. Your daughter might not want her spouse to hear about a major high school crush. If there is any question about anecdotes involving your family members, talk to them first.
Remember that your story is about you and your reactions. For example, what Roosevelt said during his fireside chats can be found in many records. What cannot be known, unless you tell the story, is how your family reacted to them. Did they listen together with popcorn and hot chocolate? For those with family members who went to Vietnam during the war, how did their deployment impact your family? Or you might record your impressions about the Apollo landing or the Challenger disaster. The historical facts are not the issue. It is your personal reaction that matters in memoirs.
Events that may seem commonplace to you may be fascinating to your readers. When paper dresses were the latest fad, did you buy one? If so, what was it like to wear it? Do you remember the introduction of microwaves, or your first attempt to cook with one? What were your feelings the first time you got to hold your baby in your arms? Do you have amusing stories about your first automobile or apartment?
Perhaps the best advice anyone can offer on how to write memoirs is to remember that your point of view is the most important. Readers are curious about the impact events had on your life. Details analyzing why events happened can be found in any number of books. However, only you can provide the information about what the incidents meant to you.
If you try to tackle the entire project at once, it can be overwhelming. It is usually helpful to concentrate on specific incidents that are the strongest of your memories. Write separate, short pieces relating one incident or chain of events. You can arrange them in chronological order later.
If you feel more comfortable talking about your life than writing about it, invest in a small tape recorder. Speak as if it were a family member or friend and just relate the story naturally. When it is time to place your memoirs on paper, you can use them as a reminder or even for direct transcription.
Edit your content as you proceed. There are things you could tell which might be embarrassing to friends or relatives. For instance, a story about the doll your son had as a baby could still be humiliating to him, especially if he is a professional athlete. Your daughter might not want her spouse to hear about a major high school crush. If there is any question about anecdotes involving your family members, talk to them first.
Remember that your story is about you and your reactions. For example, what Roosevelt said during his fireside chats can be found in many records. What cannot be known, unless you tell the story, is how your family reacted to them. Did they listen together with popcorn and hot chocolate? For those with family members who went to Vietnam during the war, how did their deployment impact your family? Or you might record your impressions about the Apollo landing or the Challenger disaster. The historical facts are not the issue. It is your personal reaction that matters in memoirs.
Events that may seem commonplace to you may be fascinating to your readers. When paper dresses were the latest fad, did you buy one? If so, what was it like to wear it? Do you remember the introduction of microwaves, or your first attempt to cook with one? What were your feelings the first time you got to hold your baby in your arms? Do you have amusing stories about your first automobile or apartment?
Perhaps the best advice anyone can offer on how to write memoirs is to remember that your point of view is the most important. Readers are curious about the impact events had on your life. Details analyzing why events happened can be found in any number of books. However, only you can provide the information about what the incidents meant to you.