Tips for Writing Your Memoir

by Linda C. Senn

1. Memoirs are written specifically for others to read: Memoirs usually cover a certain period of the author’s life, although they can also cover an aspect such as career steps.
   
   
2. Outline: If your memoir will cover several years, simplify the planning by breaking it down into one year chunks. Set the scene by noting the challenges and successes, transitions, and important people in your life, as well as the significant world events, during each time period.
   
   
3. Envision each event: Before you start writing a scene or event, picture it in your mind. “Watch” it a few times, and feel it – include the emotional and sensory factors to make the scene come to life.
   
   For example: “When I was little, Christmas eves at our house were purely feasts for the senses – the fragrant Christmas tree and the grown ups’ boozy Old Fashions, the taste of Mom’s butter-almond Spritz, the sparkle of tree lights, the fireplace, and the glitter on the wrapped presents, and the snuggly comfort of my grandmother’s lap.”
   
   
4. Background Information: Include brief mention of pertinent background information, i.e., early life family events and difficulties – economic, emotional and physical, jarring changes, births and deaths, and other life-shaping situations.
   
   For example: “No wonder my parents and I had such drastically different views about money. They were both depression kids, and I grew up in the financially secure ‘60s.”
   
   
5. Dialogue: Include dialogue, being true to the special voice of each person. If a policeman, nursery school teacher, and account each experienced “a close one,” they would describe “it” very differently. Be true to the person about whom you are writing, but avoid using stereotypes. Maybe that accountant spends dozens of hours a month as a Big Sister or visiting the severely disabled.
   
   
6. Hook: Start each scene or chapter with a hook – a hint at the primary battle, challenge, or unexpected outcome. But don’t leave your reader hanging. Include the basic who, what, where, when, and possibly how at the chapter beginning, shortly after your hook.
   
   
7. Endings: Don’t let your scene dribble away. Provide your reader with a specific, satisfying conclusion, then stop! Your snappy conclusion looses all of its punch if you keep blathering on.
   
   
8. Conclusions and transitions: Some effective closings include a question, an “Aha!” sentence, a door finally closing or opening, or a specific lesson learned. For an highly effective ending, tie the conclusion in with the introductory sentence at the beginning of the chapter or scene.
   
   
9. Repeating: Be judicious in repeating a word or phrase over and over and over and over. That kind of writing makes for boring pages. If you’re writing about a car, don’t use that word in every paragraph. Search for effective substitutes, such as the Camry, the family wagon, your wheels, or Betsy! Look for alternatives.
   
   Repetition in dialogue also dilutes the richness of a passage. There’s a line between reinforcing a verbal mannerism of one of the characters and belaboring the point. Grandma may have said “y’all” a lot. But the reader doesn’t want to read it in every sentence. Chances are she said “you children” or “you men” sometimes, too.
   
   
10. Flashbacks: Scenes sometimes move along more effectively if you use a brief flashback, rather than including a long description that interrupts the pace of the story.

 

© Pen Central Communications 2005

 

For additional information, contact Linda Senn at Linda@PenCentralOnline.com

 

Check out our other articles:
Articles

Return to top of page