The Memoir Project

A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text For Writing & Life

By: Marion Roach Smith

Narrated by: Marion Roach Smith

Whether or not one has lived an exceptional or dramatic life, we inherently understand that writing memoir—whether it’s a book, blog, or just a letter to a child - is the single greatest portal to self-examination. Stop treading water in writing exercises or hiding behind “writer’s block” and learn how to write with intent. Marion Roach Smith’s disarmingly frank but wildly fun tactics offer you simple and effective guidelines that work. Your legacy beings now.

©2011 Marion Roach Smith (P)2011 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

“Marion’s approach is like a mathematician teaching theory. Scary and interesting. She has illustrated a formula I now understand: pull the precise out of the indistinct, and watch the stories add up.” (Paul Ehmann, real estate broker and essayist, Chicken Soup for the Soul series)

awesome book. short and helpful.

very good for beginners and pros alike. i enjoyed it immensly and will use the advice in my book

Amazing. So glad I listened....

Marion's writing and narration is excellent. She's an exemplar, a riveting writer. I'm a professional speaker and trainer. Have been reluctant to write and am getting closer to taking the plunge. Marion had advice I can apply even to speaking/presenting and with corporate clients. My only feedback or wish, probably the corporate trainer in me, would be to "spike out" the learning points a bit more. I'm going to re-listen or also get the kindle, so I can take notes and digest. My first listen was on a long drive- delightful, inspiring, and educational. I now understand how to focus a book/essay/post/story. I've been struggling with that when contemplating writing a book and now I know that's a good thing and necessary. Amazed at how to repurpose a single story. How to look at and mine life. I understand the value of multiple edits and the initial draft ("vomit"), which I have always feared, being a perfectionist and averse to vomiting. ;-) I highly recommend.

Practical, humorous, fast-paced

A - for giving me resources I didn't even know existed. Loved the list of reference resources to own and one that is forbidden: computer dictionary

A - for perfectly illustrated examples of how to come up with writing topics, essays, and blog posts as well as what Not to do

A - for classic tips on editing and the humor with which it was delivered

A go-to reference for inspiration and practical application that memoirists as well as essayists, bloggers, short story and non-fictions writers will find as a solid resource. Smith used well-chosen stories as examples to make key points come alive. I have a new appreciation for the word murder.

Informative and sassy

Loved, loved the straight forward directness of writing memoir. After listening to the book I've already started using her tools, by capturing my ideas and thoughts on notecards. Next I'm going to bring my library up-to-date and sit and begin to do vomit drafts!!!! I'm truly excited because I never could figure out what to do with writing prompts, I love writing with intent. Thanks Marion.

Best book on writing memoirs

I really enjoyed this book. It is so informative and helpful. The author has a no nonsense approach.

Fun listen

This was a lighthearted fun listen which is nice when stressing over writing a memoir! Solid advice. Enjoyable narrator. Definitely recommend!

Immediately Usable Info

This book is full of excellent, concrete tips that can immediately be put into practice. I listened to it twice and took notes. I found gems of info here that improved my writing, beyond what I learned in my Master's in English.

amazing what you can learn from brevity

I felt as if this were having a conversation of sorts. I learned a lot about her, (although not full stories) while learning how to write a GREAT memoir. So while not getting to enjoy some of her tales she still manages to give you the entire story. But this is this purpose of how she teaches you to write. And what venue you are writing for, is what decides how much of what goes into what things you write as you may often tell the same story more than once for different purposes. This book teaches you how hot to be boring. She speaks fast and yet it is so conversationally teaching that for me it will take a few listens to get the lessons out of the GREAT writing. The instructional parts are also quite good.

Excellent Audio Book

The author read the book, which always makes you feel more connected. The advice was excellent. I will listen 1 more time and start writing.

Definitely a keeper!

A book of great value. I will be keeping this and will listening again. Great advice for those wanting to write anything.