10+ Tips To Make The Memoir Writing Readable & Interesting
Explore 10+ actionable tips to craft a captivating and readable memoir, with ideas, examples, and writing techniques.
“Memoir is the art of remembering in a way that tells us more about the subject of the memoir than about the facts of the subject’s life.”
( Elizabeth Strout)
Strout stated that memoir writing is as much about exploring personal insights and themes as it is about documenting specific events.
Memoir writing is a compelling form of autobiographical writing that focuses on particular events, bad and good happenings, experiences and events in someone’s journey of life.
In this article, we’ll discuss all the aspects of memoir writing including its types, forms, tips with appropriate examples.
What is memoir writing?
Memoir writing is defined as to write on specific events, experiences or even feelings. It is the same as writing an autobiography but only slightly different between them is writing about particular happenings.
In writing a memoir, the aim is not to tell every detail of the past but to convey the larger truth of that experience.”
(Mary Karr)
The definition of memoir writing shows that it is a very vast field of writing full of tragedies, entertainment,struggles, lessons and adventures etc.
A survey conducted by the National Association of Memoir Writers found that 65% of memoir readers are women, and the majority of readers are between the ages of 35 and 55.
There are alot of types of story writing like tragedy, fictional and non-fictional stories, novel and novella, memoir, mythological stories etc.
Memoirs are quite interesting to read, it strongly engages the reader to read someone’s life events.
It allows us to share emotional truths and personal growth that arises from these experiences.
Forms and types of memoir
Memoir is itself a type of story writing. Let’s discuss some further forms and types of memoir.
The following are not all the forms, we are just discussing some of them.
1. Personal memoir
In writing a personal memoir, the focus is on writing specific life events such as particular relationships, tragedies, or a significant period of personal growth.
Share your personal story to add depth in the memoir.
Never hesitate to write mishaps in your own story. Write an honest story that engages the readers more.
Example:
“Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert.
2. Historical memoir
Historical memoir is written on particular historical events or periods in someone’s life. In this type of memoir the main center of writing is about past occurrences and offering personal insights on these events.
Example:
“The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank.
3. Cultural memoir
It explores someone's experiences within a particular cultural or ethnic context, often examining identity and belonging.
The cultural memoir is only about how culture shapes someone’s life, thoughts and values.
In cultural memoir, the aim is to delve into cultural background, exploring traditions, customs, and the influence of ancestry on someone's identity.
Example:
"The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls.
4. Travel memoir
A travel memoir is a guide of someone’s journey of traveling full of adventures and entertainment.
The purpose of writing a travel memoir is to share the experiences and the learnings during traveling to different cities, countries or even small areas.
Example:
“Wild” by Cheryl Strayed.
5. Celebrity memoir
The celebrity memoir is written by well-known individuals that focus on their personal experiences and behind-the-scenes stories from their public lives.
Influencers openly share their life on the public’s demand through writing.
Local people are interested in studying celebrities' lives, that's why they love to read celebrity memoirs.
Example:
"Bossypants" by Tina Fey.
6. Professional memoir
This memoir is about the experiences and insights gained from professional life or career.
In this writing, someone discusses their struggles and learnings to reach life's goals.
Example:
"Becoming" by Michelle Obama.
7. Fictional memoir
In this type of memoir, the writer is allowed to portray the characters, scenes, and surroundings.
The complete story in a fictional memoir is all about the imagination of the writer.
You can write-up stories like crime fiction, science fiction, and mystery stories etc.
Elements in crafting memoir
Followings are the top elements of story writing in crafting a memoir.
1. Imagery and detail
Imagery is used to set insight of the memoir and helps to convey the tone and setting of different scenes.
The detailed descriptions make the story more realistic and believable, allowing the readers to fully indulge themselves in the memoir's world.
Specific details make the memoir more authentic and credible, and makes it more original as experienced by the writer.
The details of writing clarify and enhance the narrative and helps the readers to understand the context and importance of different experiences.
2. Emotion
Emotions are the strongest bond between reader and the writer. Try to write a memoir that connects readers through writing expressions.
Share your experience and feelings to build up emphatic connection.
It engages readers and makes the memoir easy to perceive.
An emotionally engaging memoir captivates readers and makes them care about the story.
3. Authenticity
The core of a memoir is authenticity. Readers prefer to read memoirs that feel genuine and honest.
Originality makes the memoir valuable and satisfactory for the readers.
Authenticity helps to build trust with readers, and that makes it more impactful and relatable.
Sometimes, it is difficult to share bad and painful experiences but doing that maintains your bond and readers feel your story by heart.
The truthful and honest words are the key to authenticity.
Your real feelings, thoughts and expressions boost the authenticity and productivity of the memoir.
4. Conflict and resolution
A compelling memoir includes conflicts and resolutions that highlights some hard experiences, struggles and the solutions.
In memoir writing, to write challenges you faced and how you overcame them enhances its credibility.
No doubt, it's a bit hard to write the conflicts and the way you overcame, but it motivates the reader to bear hardship with patience and their resolutions.
5. Reflection
Share the lessons you have learned and how it shapes your thoughts, values and worldviews.
In writing a memoir, reflection on happenings, events and experiences is the key element.
Try to reflect the ideas and the original feelings you experienced on the specific event which you are writing.
It enhances the value and readability of the writing and highly engages the reader.
Ideas to write memoir
Let’s discuss some of the ideas of writing a memoir.
Generally, it's totally up to you to choose the particular story idea and any phase of life on which you want to write.
Here, we just overview some of the ideas that inspire you.
1. Childhood memories
If you want to write about childhood memories then take a start by writing your first friendship relation and experiences.
Firstly, discuss the relationship with your family and friends and how they develop your understanding and treat you.
You can also write about your first loss of your life that hurts you and how it reflects on your identity and personality.
Surely, you also write on childhood traumas and your achievements in early age.
2. Travel adventures
Travel memoirs are the best way to share your adventures experiences.
It allows you to write about the experiences while exploring the new cultures, places and identities.
Share your thrilling, enjoyable and sarcastic happenings which you faced during trips.
You write about different foods, customs and the routine of localized people.
3. Personal struggles
If you want to share your story of how you set your aim, hardships you bear, struggles and the patience you have to succeed then, write a memoir that is inspirational and helps to motivate others to keep struggling.
These types of memoirs are helpful to motivate readers in achieving their goals.
It opens a door to write on mental, financial and social struggles that plays a vital role in forming a strong personality.
4. Career journey
Describe a major achievement in your career and the journey to reaching it.
Write about a significant career change and the reasons behind it.
Share the ups and downs you faced while making the career and also tell others about all the main factors that are compulsory in this journey.
5. Relationships
In this world, everyone is connected with one another through some relation.
It might be a love relation, sibling relations, relation with relatives and parents etc.
To show love and affection with your relations you can write love stories, friendship stories and stories based on affection with all other relations and parents.
The relationship memoir is the best way to show affection and love feelings with others.
Characteristics of memoir writing
Let’s have a look at some characteristics of memoir writing.
1. Focus on personal experiences
Memoirs concentrate on particular events, periods, or themes in someone’s life.
Unlike autobiographies, which cover an entire lifespan, memoirs only deal with particular happenings.
It's all about your point of view regarding happenings.
2. Storytelling technique
To make your memoir effective, you can compel a story that engages the reader.
It’s an amazing trick to mesmerize the reader.
In any type of memoir writing, it plays a vital role to make it high quality.
Try to add twist and thrill in your storytelling; it amuses the reader and captivates them to read.
You can improve your story writing by applying different techniques on it.
3. Thematic exploration
Memoirs explore the various themes like identity, love, friendship, hope and family etc.
It varies individual to individual according to the side of interests and preferences.
Every piece of memoir has some theme in it that engages the reader and allows themselves to relate with the story.
4. Selective detailing
Memoirs focus on specific incidents or themes, using selective detailing to highlight key moments and insights.
Not every detail of the writer’s life is included, but rather those that are relevant to the narrative.
It only points out the main focus that helps the reader to engage with the memoir.
Different notable examples of memoir writing
Let's have a look at some most famous examples of memoirs.
1. "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls
This memoir recounts Wall’s upbringing and complex relationship with her parents. It showcases her resilience and the impact of her traumatic childhood on her adult life.
2. "Educated" by Tara Westover
Westover's memoir explores her journey from growing up in a strict and abusive household in rural Idaho to pursuing higher education and self-discovery.
3. "Becoming" by Michelle Obama
The former First Lady's memoir shows a glimpse at her life, from her childhood to her time in the White House, that highlights her personal growth and experiences.
4. "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed
Strayed's memoir is about her solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, which shows how she recovered herself alone and faced hardships.
Tips that helps improve the memoir writing
Let’s discuss the important steps to add life in memoir.
These are free tips to make the memoir full of expressions and helps to improve the readability.
1. Maintain focus
Firstly, think about the main event, feeling, adventure etc which you want to write.
Select one particular phase of your life and decide to write a memoir on it.
Now, focus on the specific event and remember all the aspects related to it.
Try to do it with honesty, don’t cut off the parts that you don’t like or prefer.
Readers love to read original and authentic memoirs.
That's why you promise yourself to write the chosen event from start to end.
Don’t mix up events and themes, maintain your focus and then start writing a memoir.
2. Create an outline
Roughly create an outline that helps you in writing an effective and engaging memoir.
A clear structure ensures that ideas are presented in a logical sequence.
This helps readers follow the argument or narrative without confusion, making the story more persuasive and impactful.
You can also take help from an AI-generated tool like plot generator AI.
This tool acts like a responsible assistant while writing and makes your work more productive.
It offers two main options: setting the creativity mode and choosing the length of your desired story.
It will also help you write stories along with manual editing.
3. Compelling and engaging start-up
Now, take a start-up with an engaging statement and attractive description.
An effective and well written beginning helps readers understand the theme of the memoir whether it is relevant to their interest or not.
4. Develop tone and voice
After writing a compelling opening, move to the next step.
Select one tone in which you want to write a memoir.
First person voice is more preferable to write an engaging abstract, whereas the second person point of view helps in storytelling perspective.
Conversational tone is used to build up trust and direct connection with the readers.
The writer and reader built up a strong connection by using the soothing tone in the memoir.
5. Vivid description
Engage all five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) to create an impacting experience.
Instead of telling the reader what is happening, show it through detailed and vivid descriptions.
Connect descriptions to emotions to enhance the reader's emotional engagement with the scene.
By showing a clear and detailed picture, vivid description helps to move the readers to the scene, making them feel as if they are experiencing it in real life.
6. Usage of effective dialogues
Good dialogue is concise and to the point.
It avoids unnecessary filler and gets straight to the matter.
To make your memoir effective and engaging always try to use dialogue that is smooth and suitable to the character.
7. Reflect on the significance of event
Now, on this point share your experience honestly with all bads and goods happenings.
Write about what you learn and what you lose in particular mentioned events.
8. Revise and edit
After compelling the memoir, revise it so that every piece of word is according to you and suited at the pointing place.
Read it once and recheck it, if you find any mistakes then correct it with suitable alternatives.
9. Seek feedback
Don’t ever ignore the feedback.
Give importance to readers' opinion and improve your work according to their suggestions and recommendations.
10. Proofread
Proofreading takes place when editing is finished.
Focuses on surface level errors like misspelling and grammar errors.
11. Finalize and publish
At the end, finalize all your edits and works and prepare your manuscript for publication.
Review it once and then publish it.
Conclusion
By summing up all of the discussion, we conclude that writing a memoir is a vast field of writing.
Memoir writing is an effective way to share our personal struggles, experiences, thoughts and feelings etc.
One of the most interesting facts is that through memoir writing you can recall your own story and enjoy it after a time.
Frequently asked questions
State the difference between literary and fictional memoir writing?
Literary memoirs focus on factual, reflective, and real-life experiences whereas fictional memoirs blend real-life events with fictional elements and storytelling.
Which strategies are used in writing a memoir?
Some effective strategies include vivid descriptions and sensory details, focus on significant moments, effective dialogue, and maintain a strong narrative voice to make it more engaging and comprehensible.
Is there any specified length to write a memoir?
There is no strict length for a memoir, but typically they range from 60,000 to 100,000 words. Shorter memoirs, often called memoir essays, can be significantly shorter, around 20,000 to 50,000 words.
