The task of writing a memoir can become an unsettling challenge early on, particularly for inexperienced writers. It will demand a lot of time and perseverance and will test many limits, but the reward at seeing the finished product will be well worth all of the hard work. Although there are various possible reasons that one would decide to write a memoir, some of the challenges and joys are quite common among writers.
As with any kind of writing, it is a good idea to write first and edit later. It is easy to become consumed by finding the right word or phrase and trying to perfect each paragraph, but such meticulous editing interferes with the creative process of what is being written. The best way to get the book done is really to just write and write and make all the edits and changes later on.
One important thing to remember about memoirs specifically is being sure to write in the first person. Although memories sometimes evade us, it important to make sure that the facts about events and objective aspects are as accurate as possible, or your reader will doubt the credibility of your story. When writing about other people, be polite. They are real people, not just characters, so be careful of the judgements and assumptions that may creep in to your descriptions.
While one naturally wants to write in a certain way and give off a certain impression, it is important to be yourself. Writing in a style or with a vocabulary that is completely unlike you will rarely be convincing to the reader. It is often also more difficult to write in a way that does not come naturally to you in day to day life. Authenticity is key.
The target audience of any memoir is also very important. Think about the type of person who will likely be reading your book. Try to stay consistent in the way that you speak to your audience. If you find that your tone or style changes from day to day or depending on the event that you are writing about, try to imagine a person that you know reading the book. This person should match your target market. Keeping this person in mind will help to keep you consistent.
Particularly with writing memoirs, it is sometimes tricky to write as fast as one thinks. Remember that if your thoughts are coming and going faster than you can capture them, there may be another method of capturing that is better suited to you. Video or voice recordings are great examples of alternative methods for collecting your ideas quickly and easily.
One all of the info has been collected and it comes time to edit and delete, remember to keep a focus on emotional, rather than factual experiences. Although certain facts and tangible details will be necessary, the heart of the story is captured in the experience and emotions of what is going on.
Overall, when writing a memoir, just be honest. A good memoir, or any story for that matter, will capture both the good and the bad. No life is so perfect that there is nothing but happiness and success. And even the most severe tragedies occur in the context of other amazing and happy moments in time. It is this combination that is inherent in life that will really capture an audience and enable them to relate in some way to the story.
As with any kind of writing, it is a good idea to write first and edit later. It is easy to become consumed by finding the right word or phrase and trying to perfect each paragraph, but such meticulous editing interferes with the creative process of what is being written. The best way to get the book done is really to just write and write and make all the edits and changes later on.
One important thing to remember about memoirs specifically is being sure to write in the first person. Although memories sometimes evade us, it important to make sure that the facts about events and objective aspects are as accurate as possible, or your reader will doubt the credibility of your story. When writing about other people, be polite. They are real people, not just characters, so be careful of the judgements and assumptions that may creep in to your descriptions.
While one naturally wants to write in a certain way and give off a certain impression, it is important to be yourself. Writing in a style or with a vocabulary that is completely unlike you will rarely be convincing to the reader. It is often also more difficult to write in a way that does not come naturally to you in day to day life. Authenticity is key.
The target audience of any memoir is also very important. Think about the type of person who will likely be reading your book. Try to stay consistent in the way that you speak to your audience. If you find that your tone or style changes from day to day or depending on the event that you are writing about, try to imagine a person that you know reading the book. This person should match your target market. Keeping this person in mind will help to keep you consistent.
Particularly with writing memoirs, it is sometimes tricky to write as fast as one thinks. Remember that if your thoughts are coming and going faster than you can capture them, there may be another method of capturing that is better suited to you. Video or voice recordings are great examples of alternative methods for collecting your ideas quickly and easily.
One all of the info has been collected and it comes time to edit and delete, remember to keep a focus on emotional, rather than factual experiences. Although certain facts and tangible details will be necessary, the heart of the story is captured in the experience and emotions of what is going on.
Overall, when writing a memoir, just be honest. A good memoir, or any story for that matter, will capture both the good and the bad. No life is so perfect that there is nothing but happiness and success. And even the most severe tragedies occur in the context of other amazing and happy moments in time. It is this combination that is inherent in life that will really capture an audience and enable them to relate in some way to the story.
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