"Whenever a brain surgeon tells me that he is going to start writing when he retires, I always say I am going to take up brain surgery when I retire. Sometimes he gets the joke."—Marion Roach Smith
Just one of many wry statements the author makes in this thoroughly readable, well-written resource. It's like she's gotten into every aspiring writer's head and puts our thoughts, fears, hopes, dreams on paper. But best of all she tells us what to do, what to practice and what not to do --if our goal is to write for more than an audience of just our loved ones.
Every memoir is essentially an argument, she says. Write with intent so that everything in it supports that argument or thesis.
And be interesting while you do it! How? that is the tricky part and she shows her own examples of stories that come alive with pertinent details.
Perhaps her most valuable advice is this simple equation to keep in mind as you write...
Your story is : X illustrated by Y to equal Universal Truth.
So the best memoirs are not about YOU, but about everybody.
I bought her book to help me write my book which is far more difficult than I thought it would be, just as she observes. (But now I know that at least I am in the good company of brain surgeons. :)
I especially like the examples she inserts "showing not telling " us about how to make scenes come alive.
Especially useful is how she describes what to cut. She tells a fascinating story about her mother that did not make it into her first book which was about caring for a close family member --her mother--who develops Alzheimer's, despite being a compelling a story that shed light on the kind of person her mother was.
Why was such a great story about her mom left out? It added intrigue and drama and sex...but it was a tangent, an interesting one, but not one that supported her main argument. The book was about Altzheimers, explaining how it robbed families of loved ones, what coping caregivers needed... what everyone should know about its signs , etc.
X did not equal "her mom", but "her mom's disease" ... so that story ended up on the cutting room floor. But she did not lament the time spent crafting it as she saved it in a rainy day file of stories she might be able to use sometime in the future....if they fit into the intent of a future article, story, book, or blog post.
i.e., someday it might be a good illustration/story (Y) for some other argument/thesis (X) to equal Z (Universal Truth) ...
in fact, it was the perfect illustration for THIS book on memoir writing ; it is a story I remember as I write--reminding me to write all I want to in my (as Anne Lamont puts it) S#*! y First Draft but , as I edit, make sure I cut any stories that do not fit into the intent of my book's thesis/argument.
It's harder than it looks. Just as she says.
But her advice helps me enjoy the process and the journey. I think of her equation every time I read another memoir. The best ones do seem to adhere to her equation...
but the equation is not enough, must also be interesting, funny even, to entertain while also revealing universal lessons and truth--which is the hard part.
Key lessons:
-tell the truth --but not necessarily ALL the truth. Know that you might hurt real people your write about. Learn if they (and you) are ok with that. Not every story needs to be told.
-Autobiographies that the public will be interested in are only for a select few celebrities and historical figures. Memoirs are sliced much thinner and adhere to a specific theme to reveal universal truth.
- Each page should support your theme, move your argument forward. (Knowing this helps you to write with INTENT)
- " Just because something happens, doesn't make it interesting." Leave out the boring parts.
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Susan Goewey
The most valuable resource on memoir writing if your goal is to write for the universe
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2019Verified Purchase
The most valuable resource on memoir writing if your goal is to write for the universe
By Susan Goewey on January 31, 2019
"Whenever a brain surgeon tells me that he is going to start writing when he retires, I always say I am going to take up brain surgery when I retire. Sometimes he gets the joke."—Marion Roach SmithBy Susan Goewey on January 31, 2019
Just one of many wry statements the author makes in this thoroughly readable, well-written resource. It's like she's gotten into every aspiring writer's head and puts our thoughts, fears, hopes, dreams on paper. But best of all she tells us what to do, what to practice and what not to do --if our goal is to write for more than an audience of just our loved ones.
Every memoir is essentially an argument, she says. Write with intent so that everything in it supports that argument or thesis.
And be interesting while you do it! How? that is the tricky part and she shows her own examples of stories that come alive with pertinent details.
Perhaps her most valuable advice is this simple equation to keep in mind as you write...
Your story is : X illustrated by Y to equal Universal Truth.
So the best memoirs are not about YOU, but about everybody.
I bought her book to help me write my book which is far more difficult than I thought it would be, just as she observes. (But now I know that at least I am in the good company of brain surgeons. :)
I especially like the examples she inserts "showing not telling " us about how to make scenes come alive.
Especially useful is how she describes what to cut. She tells a fascinating story about her mother that did not make it into her first book which was about caring for a close family member --her mother--who develops Alzheimer's, despite being a compelling a story that shed light on the kind of person her mother was.
Why was such a great story about her mom left out? It added intrigue and drama and sex...but it was a tangent, an interesting one, but not one that supported her main argument. The book was about Altzheimers, explaining how it robbed families of loved ones, what coping caregivers needed... what everyone should know about its signs , etc.
X did not equal "her mom", but "her mom's disease" ... so that story ended up on the cutting room floor. But she did not lament the time spent crafting it as she saved it in a rainy day file of stories she might be able to use sometime in the future....if they fit into the intent of a future article, story, book, or blog post.
i.e., someday it might be a good illustration/story (Y) for some other argument/thesis (X) to equal Z (Universal Truth) ...
in fact, it was the perfect illustration for THIS book on memoir writing ; it is a story I remember as I write--reminding me to write all I want to in my (as Anne Lamont puts it) S#*! y First Draft but , as I edit, make sure I cut any stories that do not fit into the intent of my book's thesis/argument.
It's harder than it looks. Just as she says.
But her advice helps me enjoy the process and the journey. I think of her equation every time I read another memoir. The best ones do seem to adhere to her equation...
but the equation is not enough, must also be interesting, funny even, to entertain while also revealing universal lessons and truth--which is the hard part.
Key lessons:
-tell the truth --but not necessarily ALL the truth. Know that you might hurt real people your write about. Learn if they (and you) are ok with that. Not every story needs to be told.
-Autobiographies that the public will be interested in are only for a select few celebrities and historical figures. Memoirs are sliced much thinner and adhere to a specific theme to reveal universal truth.
- Each page should support your theme, move your argument forward. (Knowing this helps you to write with INTENT)
- " Just because something happens, doesn't make it interesting." Leave out the boring parts.
Images in this review
Rich Ii Investments Llc
And like Marion said
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2018Verified Purchase
Gypsy Dejavu
Very useful
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2018Verified Purchase
Susan Ridenour
I inhaled this, I couldn't put it down.
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2019Verified Purchase
Michelle H.
A must have for any memoirist
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2016Verified Purchase
Teacher
Very helpful.
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2016Verified Purchase
LK
Inspiring and Useful Tips on Writing a Memoir
Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2017Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
Brighid
No use at all
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 29, 2018Verified Purchase
Mike Nicolson
Writing a memoir that sells could be much easier than you think
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2018Verified Purchase
Ian Mathie
Neatly encapsulated - a must have book for all memoir writers
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 12, 2014Verified Purchase
Scot oak
Great book packed with advice
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2018Verified Purchase
Aloise Price
I thoroughly enjoyed The Memoir Project
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 20, 2017Verified Purchase