Welcome to "How To Write A Memoir"
How To Write A Memoir
Have you ever had an experience that you've always wished to share with friends and family? Most of you will be able to answer "yes" to this question - and if that's the case then you need to learn how to write a memoir (aka an autobiography)
Learning how to write an autobiography can be quite a tricky process, however, once you've mastered the art you'll feel so much better about your writing. To make memoir creation easier it really pays to look at a memoir writing guide such as "Memoir Writing Secrets" by the critically acclaimed writer Sidney Offit.
In "Memoir Writing Secrets" you will learn
* How to increase the dramatic tension in your writing and keep readers begging for more!
* Three key ideas for sustaining your readers' interest.
* What personal details you shouldn't include.
* How to make sure you understand the difference between "telling" and "showing"
* Why you shouldn't use the passive voice form in your writing.
* And lots more.
"Memoir Writing Secrets" is being offered at a special discount price for a limited time only so you need to act now. A number of free bonuses have also been included that add a great deal of extra value.
Simply click here now to learn more about "Memoir Writing Secrets" and how you can learn to write a memoir in easy, step-by-step fashion.
Have you ever had an experience that you've always wished to share with friends and family? Most of you will be able to answer "yes" to this question - and if that's the case then you need to learn how to write a memoir (aka an autobiography)
Learning how to write an autobiography can be quite a tricky process, however, once you've mastered the art you'll feel so much better about your writing. To make memoir creation easier it really pays to look at a memoir writing guide such as "Memoir Writing Secrets" by the critically acclaimed writer Sidney Offit.
In "Memoir Writing Secrets" you will learn
* How to increase the dramatic tension in your writing and keep readers begging for more!
* Three key ideas for sustaining your readers' interest.
* What personal details you shouldn't include.
* How to make sure you understand the difference between "telling" and "showing"
* Why you shouldn't use the passive voice form in your writing.
* And lots more.
"Memoir Writing Secrets" is being offered at a special discount price for a limited time only so you need to act now. A number of free bonuses have also been included that add a great deal of extra value.
Simply click here now to learn more about "Memoir Writing Secrets" and how you can learn to write a memoir in easy, step-by-step fashion.
Basic Steps To Writing A Memoir
For those of you who are completely new to writing memoirs here are the basic steps to follow if you want to create a good, interesting one. Although crafting memoirs can seem a difficult task, when you follow the steps it's honestly not that hard.
1. Decide Who The Memoir Is For
Before you start writing the main content of the memoir you need to decide who you're writing it for. Are you writing it for your children, grand-children, immediate family, extended family or even for the general public? This will have a huge impact on your memoir as if you are simply writing it for family members you can use a more informal writing style. However, if you're planning on releasing the book to the general public then you'll need to deliver more in terms of style, story and action. Also, if you're writing for family members then you won't have to worry about trying to get the memoir published through a publishing house. Instead, you'll probably be publishing the book yourself or having a printing company produce a small number of copies for you.
2. Pick Which Stories You Want To Tell
When it comes to writing a memoir you don't need to cover every minute detail of your life. In fact, you don't even need to start at the beginning of your life. Instead you should pick exciting events that have occured throughout and focus on them. If you've had a really major experience during your life that you feel would excite and interest your readers then you could focus your entire memoir around that and the effects it had on your later life. Basically, pick the best bits from your life that would make the most interesting reading.
3. Draft Your Memoir
Jot down all the main events/experiences from your life in whatever order you think of them. If you find this difficult then ask a friend or family member to question you about various aspects of your life and then on elaborate them. Once you have all the experiences you can think of written down, order them chronologically.
4. Flesh Out Your Memoir
Starting with your first experience that you wish to write about, begin to craft your memoir. Make sure not to embellish/falsify anything in your book and ensure that you use a writing style that is compelling and gets your point across well. Remember to keep your audience in mind and write appropriately. Also, make sure every event has a beginning, middle and end, as well as having an overall beginning, middle and end for the entire memoir. If you're not sure whether your writing style is working or not then read it aloud and see if what you hear makes sense. If it doesn't then go back to the drawing board and re-craft it until it makes sense.
5. Set Yourself A Deadline To Complete Your Memoir
Rather than writing a small amount every so often which could result in your memoir taking months or even years to finish, set a deadline and then make sure that you stick to it. If you have a special family event coming up then try and complete your memoir in time to have it published and distributed around. If you're writing your memoir for the general public and are having it published by a traditional publishing house then you probably won't have control over when it gets printed and distributed. However, don't let that put you off giving even a draft copy to your family members in time for the special event - they'll still appreciate all the hard work that you put into it!
1. Decide Who The Memoir Is For
Before you start writing the main content of the memoir you need to decide who you're writing it for. Are you writing it for your children, grand-children, immediate family, extended family or even for the general public? This will have a huge impact on your memoir as if you are simply writing it for family members you can use a more informal writing style. However, if you're planning on releasing the book to the general public then you'll need to deliver more in terms of style, story and action. Also, if you're writing for family members then you won't have to worry about trying to get the memoir published through a publishing house. Instead, you'll probably be publishing the book yourself or having a printing company produce a small number of copies for you.
2. Pick Which Stories You Want To Tell
When it comes to writing a memoir you don't need to cover every minute detail of your life. In fact, you don't even need to start at the beginning of your life. Instead you should pick exciting events that have occured throughout and focus on them. If you've had a really major experience during your life that you feel would excite and interest your readers then you could focus your entire memoir around that and the effects it had on your later life. Basically, pick the best bits from your life that would make the most interesting reading.
3. Draft Your Memoir
Jot down all the main events/experiences from your life in whatever order you think of them. If you find this difficult then ask a friend or family member to question you about various aspects of your life and then on elaborate them. Once you have all the experiences you can think of written down, order them chronologically.
4. Flesh Out Your Memoir
Starting with your first experience that you wish to write about, begin to craft your memoir. Make sure not to embellish/falsify anything in your book and ensure that you use a writing style that is compelling and gets your point across well. Remember to keep your audience in mind and write appropriately. Also, make sure every event has a beginning, middle and end, as well as having an overall beginning, middle and end for the entire memoir. If you're not sure whether your writing style is working or not then read it aloud and see if what you hear makes sense. If it doesn't then go back to the drawing board and re-craft it until it makes sense.
5. Set Yourself A Deadline To Complete Your Memoir
Rather than writing a small amount every so often which could result in your memoir taking months or even years to finish, set a deadline and then make sure that you stick to it. If you have a special family event coming up then try and complete your memoir in time to have it published and distributed around. If you're writing your memoir for the general public and are having it published by a traditional publishing house then you probably won't have control over when it gets printed and distributed. However, don't let that put you off giving even a draft copy to your family members in time for the special event - they'll still appreciate all the hard work that you put into it!
Memoir Writing Links
- Sidney Offit's "Memoir Writing Secrets"
- A comprehensive guide to writing memoirs that captivate and engage the audience. Created by one of the greatest memoir writers of all time.
Famous Memoirs on Amazon
Famous memoirs to give you an idea of how to write a good one!
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bipolar_bare
Apr 24, 2009 @ 9:52 pm | delete
- Nice lens! You've got some helpful tips for writing a memoir here. When you get the chance, I'd love for you to drop by my lens and say hi.
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by howtowriteamemoir
howtowriteamemoir
Hi guys my name's Daniel! I've been writing professionally for over 15 years now and I've published dozens of articles and a number of books. I've also... more »
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