Class Outline 2020
How to Write a Memoir Class Carole Webb Moore-Slater [email protected]
Writing a memoir is a process that requires planning in addition to creative thought and expression. This five-week class series will offer an organizational framework for getting started and completing a memoir essay during this time. Classes will be interactive as ideas are discussed and personal manuscripts are shared with feedback provided.
1. What is a Memoir a. A memoir draws on selected anecdotes from a specific time or event in your life that is of special significance. Think of it as a snapshot or slice of life.
b. Although autobiographical, a memoir is based on a brief period of time and is not a life story. An autobiography is a story that spans a lifetime with details about childhood, accomplishments and family history.
c. A memoir is sharing a personal story with others and this can be done in a variety of creative ways including essays, poetry, books, articles as well as photography and other types of artwork.
2. Getting Started a. As you reflect on your memories, think about a life experience or event that has special significance to you or has meaning that shaped or changed you in some important way.
b. Select a life event that you have strong feelings about writing.
c. Explore your reasons for writing a particular life story i. WHY do you want to write it? ii. WHAT do you hope to accomplish by writing it? iii. WHO are you writing it for?
d. With a personal story selected to write about, choose a THEME or focus for your essay. It is the reason WHY you selected this particular event and will be the thread that holds your memories together as your story unfolds.
Class Outline 2020
e. Reflect on memories from that moment in time. Brainstorm and jot down brief specific details about key events that occurred during that event. (Post-it Notes can be useful for this task) i. Who was involved? ii. When and where did it happen? iii. How did this story start and how did it end? iv. What were you thinking at the time? v. Why do you remember this particular event? vi. It is likely you will recall other details after the writing begins.
f. Before beginning the writing process, sort the memories that have been identified to be sure they are related to the THEME of your story. (Save the good memories “not specifically related to this theme” for another essay)
3. Let the Writing Begin. Writing a non-fiction story contains similar writing elements used when writing fiction. The memoir will tell an emotional journey of feelings, thoughts, and reactions using vivid visual imagery and sensory descriptions that will bring characters and scenes to life. We will talk about specific writing considerations but the most important aspect is that you let yourself go as you write! Write from the heart and avoid editing as you write – you can edit later.
a. Consider first the BEGINNING and ENDING of your story as they are the most important features of a good memoir. i. The BEGINNING of your story must be compelling in a way that wants us to keep reading. You can start your memoir at any point in the story. It is not necessary to start a memoir in chronological order. ii. With a beginning in mind, decide where the story will end. The ENDING must weave the threads of experiences together in a strong conclusion. iii. Write the plot narrative, or middle of your story, connecting the beginning and end together. The plot will be based on your actions, consequence of actions, response to external situations, and/or internal perspectives. It is the chain of cause and effect from beginning to end that gives readers something to follow.
b. Tell the truth. Remember that memoirs explore the concept of truth as seen through your eyes.
Class Outline 2020
c. Writing in your voice has its own special and unique style. When editing content, pay attention to Active and Passive voice. Active voice is more concise, direct and bold. Writing in passive voice often uses unnecessary words and is less direct.
d. Include enough context or background information to help the reader understand events unfolding in the story.
e. The setting should not only include information about the location in the story but also the period in time that the incident occurred.
f. Put the reader in your shoes. Add background noise, color your scenes, add texture and detail in your descriptions. The writer may add invented details that fit with a specific memory and the writer’s theme or purpose.
g. Show Don’t Tell. Show actions and feelings that are going on inside of you and revealed in an action or expression instead of just telling the reader what happened. Paint a picture of a moment in time using your senses to describe details of that moment. Make the reader feel it, smell it, see it, hear it, and taste it.
4. In the last class, a Summary of Publishing Options will be discussed along with How to Preserve Old Documents.
References
How to Write a Memoir that People Care About. An article in a writer’s blog written by NY Book editors: https://nybookeditors.com/2016/03/how-to-write-a-memoir-that-people-care-about/ Beginnings and Endings for Your Memoir by C.S. Lakin, February 2018 https://www.livewritethrive.com/2018/02/01/beginnings-and-endings-for-your- memoir/
How to Write a Memoir Essay by Kori Morgan https://education.seattlepi.com/write-memoir-essay-1537.html
Class Outline 2020
How to Write a Memoir: 7 Creative Ways to Tell a Powerful Story, By Brooke Warner, September 2019 https://thewritelife.com/how-to-write-a-memoir/
Why Narrative Family History is Best, by Biff and Nancy Barnes with Family History Daily, an online genealogy resource. https://familyhistorydaily.com/family-history/why-narrative-family-history-is-best/
Writing a Novel? 6 Visual Storytelling Techniques to Borrow from Film and TV, by C.S. Lakin in October 2014. https://thewritelife.com/writing-novel-6-visual-storytelling-techniques-borrow-film- tv/
Show, Don’t Tell: How to Show Not Tell in Writing, by Bella Rose Pope in June 2019. https://self-publishingschool.com/show-dont-tell-writing/
The Twenty Top Tips for Writing Memoir, by Marion Roach Smith https://marionroach.com/twenty-top-tips-for-writing-memoir
Strunk, William Jr. The Elements of Style: Classic Edition. (R. De A’Morelli, Ed. 2017). San Luis Obispo, California: Spectrum Ink USA