Everyone wants to be remembered or at least have their memories documented somewhere in hopes that someone down the line will learn something from it. But it can be a struggle to figure where to and how to write a memoir.
First and foremost, go somewhere quiet and write out why it is this memoir is being written in the first place. For example, some find this as a form of self-healing, while others write as a way to pass on their vast knowledge that they have gained throughout the years. And others just want to leave a legacy, perhaps as a way to comfort themselves in fear that they might be forgotten. Once the reason is figured out, it can serve as motivation for the writer.
The next step is to figure out the time period that the book will be about. This could be anything from a childhood that is hard to imagine in today's society, to a relationship that transformed the person, to a traveling expedition that stretched across Asia. There is not set formula on what this type of book consists of or how it needs to be written.
So getting to that point may be difficult. Start by taking a piece of paper and breaking down the past. Make a personal time line that has all the years from birth to present written out and write down any major and memorable events that have happened. Then take a look and see which time period was the most transforming. Maybe it was that backpacking trip through Asia back in college, or maybe it was the birth of a child.
Like a movie, every memoir should have a theme as well. Consider what message is trying to get across to the reader. Perhaps the book is saying to reach for the stars, or maybe it is saying to stop and smell the roses. Whatever it is, make sure that the book supported with the other material in the book. This theme does not have to be identified before the writer can start writing though. But once it becomes identified, make sure it stays supported.
Once the writer has the motivation and direction they want the book to go, now it is time to start writing. For those just starting out in writing, take baby steps when beginning. Set aside some time each day for the memoir. This can be as little as ten minutes, but as much as hours. Or if time does not really work as a good guideline, decide how long to work by the number or words written every day.
There are other ways of creating this memoir though than by writing. Perhaps one is a great storyteller, try and use a tape recorder or a video camera as a way to record the information. Then, if writing really is not the way to go, find a ghostwriter who will transcribe this information, and then write and edit it for you. This will be a larger financial investment, but it may be worth it.
Learning how to write a memoir is a big task to take on, but it is an invaluable journey. Not only is this about sharing the memories and lessons that life has brought forth, but it also entails learning about oneself and growing as an individual. This may never have been the initial intention for writing, but it is almost a guaranteed outcome.
First and foremost, go somewhere quiet and write out why it is this memoir is being written in the first place. For example, some find this as a form of self-healing, while others write as a way to pass on their vast knowledge that they have gained throughout the years. And others just want to leave a legacy, perhaps as a way to comfort themselves in fear that they might be forgotten. Once the reason is figured out, it can serve as motivation for the writer.
The next step is to figure out the time period that the book will be about. This could be anything from a childhood that is hard to imagine in today's society, to a relationship that transformed the person, to a traveling expedition that stretched across Asia. There is not set formula on what this type of book consists of or how it needs to be written.
So getting to that point may be difficult. Start by taking a piece of paper and breaking down the past. Make a personal time line that has all the years from birth to present written out and write down any major and memorable events that have happened. Then take a look and see which time period was the most transforming. Maybe it was that backpacking trip through Asia back in college, or maybe it was the birth of a child.
Like a movie, every memoir should have a theme as well. Consider what message is trying to get across to the reader. Perhaps the book is saying to reach for the stars, or maybe it is saying to stop and smell the roses. Whatever it is, make sure that the book supported with the other material in the book. This theme does not have to be identified before the writer can start writing though. But once it becomes identified, make sure it stays supported.
Once the writer has the motivation and direction they want the book to go, now it is time to start writing. For those just starting out in writing, take baby steps when beginning. Set aside some time each day for the memoir. This can be as little as ten minutes, but as much as hours. Or if time does not really work as a good guideline, decide how long to work by the number or words written every day.
There are other ways of creating this memoir though than by writing. Perhaps one is a great storyteller, try and use a tape recorder or a video camera as a way to record the information. Then, if writing really is not the way to go, find a ghostwriter who will transcribe this information, and then write and edit it for you. This will be a larger financial investment, but it may be worth it.
Learning how to write a memoir is a big task to take on, but it is an invaluable journey. Not only is this about sharing the memories and lessons that life has brought forth, but it also entails learning about oneself and growing as an individual. This may never have been the initial intention for writing, but it is almost a guaranteed outcome.
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