by Jerry Waxler
This is the third entry in my series of answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Memoir Writing. These are some of the questions I hear about how to write a memoir.
Why does my past feel vague or ordinary?
As our days slip into the past, we toss the memories into the storage bins of mind where they grow dusty and tangled. As we look back on them in their disorganized state, naturally they look unkempt. In raw form, memories are merely a conglomeration, not a story.
When someone tells you about any event, whether a baseball game, a childhood memory, or a tour of duty on a battlefront, your interest will be generated as much by the shaping of the story as by the actual experience.
What turns life into Story?
To recreate your story, you root through the pile, pull out bits, line them up, and link them together. That is an introspective art, requiring frank exploration through old dreams and experiences. To create an interesting story from these parts, you need to develop storytelling skills by attending writing conferences and workshops, reading books about writing, and reading memoirs. Then practice, practice, practice.
Start to gather the events of your life into chronological order, and write the scenes as if you are there. Then look for the motivations and obstacles that caused you to solve problems and grow. When stirred in the right proportion, these ingredients create a magical potion to transport readers to an alternate reality.
How do successful authors improve the readability of their work?
All successful writers hone language skills to present readable prose that makes sense and keeps readers reading. Here are some of their ingredients:
— Metaphors
— Speculation about what others were thinking
— Humor
— Background material about the community and times
In addition to language arts, you will stimulate your readers’ emotions by using “emotional arts.” For example,
— Guide the reader along lines of the protagonist’s desire
— Offer glimpses of frustration or foreboding
— Build up suspense before revealing solutions
— Include only scenes that contribute to dramatic impact
Can I embellish scenes to make my story more interesting?
Memoir writers employ a variety of methods to make memories more readable. Some examples:
— Combine several minor characters into one
— Combine or prune repetitive incidents into one that represents the pattern.
— Sharpen a scene by guessing at details, such as the color or style of clothing.
— Invent specific dialog to convey the essence.
Depending on where you draw the border between truth and art, you might love these techniques or hate them. Since no governing body can dictate whether they are right or wrong, you must choose your own path. Whichever way you decide, you will explicitly state your contract with your reader in the front matter, explaining your attitude towards composites and accuracy.
Should I use flashbacks?
Once you understand the straight story, there are several reasons to modify the sequence:
— Sneak backstory into a flashback.
— Dive into the thick of things. Then rewind to the first event. – “In medeas res”
— Bounce back and forth between two characters’ points of view
— Essays follow the logic of ideas, not a chronology of events.
If you see a perfect opportunity to write out of order, take it. But if you want to keep it simple and straightforward, that’s okay too.
Other answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Memoir Writing
Frequently Asked Questions about Published Memoirs
Frequently asked questions about “Should I write a memoir?”
More memoir writing resources
To see brief descriptions and links to all the essays on this blog, click here.
To order my short, step-by-step how-to guide to write your memoir, click here.