How to write a memoir
Looking for a trip down those sweet memory lanes? Well, writing a memoir can be a great option. In case you are not familiar with how to write a memoir, you will first need to have an understanding of the proper formatting structure; once the basics are cleared, you can very easily write an effective memoir.
Writing a memoir can be one of the most pleasant and fun activities. Besides helping the author share his/her personal experience, memoirs also help the authors guide the reader on how they should react in the same situation.
Memoir: The definition
Learning how to write a memoir can be quite difficult without knowing what a memoir is. Let us first understand what the term means.
Often mistaken for an autobiography, memoirs are drastically different from an autobiography as it helps to recall a certain historical account from your life. On the other hand, an autobiography deals with the complete life journey of a person with special emphasis on their achievements and successes.
Memoirs are selected anecdotes that help the readers have a small glimpse at the author’s experience, which provides them with a moral lesson or something new to learn.
How to frame a memoir?
Now that you clearly understand what a memoir is let us proceed to understand how to write a memoir. Writing a memoir is not that hard, considering you are familiar with the guidelines for writing a memoir. Here are the steps to writing an effective memoir.
Choosing the theme: Before you start writing, you will need to first pick a theme that the readers will be able to relate to. Put yourself in the reader’s perspective and determine what value it would impart. Make sure you select an incident from your past that readers will find moving.
Jot down the events: After selecting the particular incident in your life, list out all the events in chronological order, as this will help to make the story look more natural. For those looking to answer the question “How to write a memoir”, the trick is just being true to yourself.
Portray an honest picture: Presenting your reader with a genuine image is key to writing a successful memoir. Make sure to narrate the story as it unfolded, and don’t leave out any minor details like your reaction, the time of the event, etc. It is also important that you provide information on the characters involved in the event you are narrating.
Narrate your story: Incorporate informal language in your memoir if you want it to be read by a large audience. If possible, try to include actual conversations. Also, watch out for your character development and the conflicts and tension you have created while narrating the event.
Showcase emotions: While learning to write a memoir, inculcating emotions is key if you want to make your readers feel strongly about your experience.
Use literary elements: While writing a memoir, make sure to use simple language, making it easy for the readers to follow along. Use connectors like “regardless” or “henceforth” to ensure smooth transitions in your story.
Share the lessons: Simply stating the event is not the objective of writing a memoir. Make sure to include your personal views on the event. You can also engage the readers by asking them questions about the topic.
Below is a list of five basic steps of how to write a memoir.
5 basic steps for writing a memoir
Armed with the basic idea of how to portray a specific experience in your memoir, here are the fundamental steps that are required to write the memoir.
Select target audience: It is important to choose the audience before choosing the theme for your memoir. If you are looking to share the experience with millennials, you will have to select the event accordingly.
Thorough research: After selecting the topic, you will now need to recollect the specific events that transpired. Make sure to jot down the events chronologically and work on the structure according to your presentation.
The memoir should be interesting from the very beginning: Make sure to start your memoir with an interesting introduction. Relevant quotes and questions to the readers help to keep things interesting for the audience. Also, explain why you wish to discuss the experience.
Create different paragraphs: If there are multiple aspects that you want to discuss in your memoir, make sure to create different paragraphs for different events. When learning how to write a memoir, you will need to focus on the plot, characters, and timings to ensure the readers have a cohesive idea of the event that you are describing in your memoir.
Proper round-off: You should share your experience with the readers so they can grow from your mistakes and experiences. Make sure you have not left out anything from the memoir.
Now that you are familiar with what a memoir is and how to write a memoir, here are some examples of a memoir.
Example and samples of memoirs: Theoretical knowledge is not going to be enough until you sit down to write a memoir. Go through a few examples if you are having any problems in coming up with ideas. One of the great examples of a memoir is “A Difficult Balance: Am I a Writer or a Teacher?” by Kyoto Mori.
Writing a six-word memoir: Writing an effective memoir can be challenging without the right help, and sleepless nights are sure to follow if asked to write a six-word memoir.
To write a six-word memoir, highlight the primary experience you have learned during the event. For example, renowned activist Gloria Steinem used catchy phrases like “Life is one big editorial meet”. As evident, these six words perfectly capture the gist of the narration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be the optimum word count of a memoir?
There is no prescribed word count for writing a memoir. The word count is influenced by the particular event you are trying to recollect for the readers.
How to write an interesting memoir?
When learning to write a memoir, the key to reader engagement is to keep them intrigued. Use an informal tone and keep the interaction personal to keep the audience connected.
How is a memoir different from a biography?
While biography is a recollection of an individual’s life documented by another person, a memoir is used to recollect a certain meaningful event in a person’s life.
