The Power and Possibilities of Writing Memoir
As an English major, the only creative writing class I ever took was one that focused on memoir. My decision to take this class in my final year came after a writing sabbatical which spanned most of my teenage years, during which I grew critical of my work and waning in inspiration. But as any aspiring writer would know, the itch to write never dulls and demands to be scratched. I thought this course would pose as an approachable re-introduction to a much-loved pastime. I had all the material already at my disposal - no-one knew my life better than me, after all.
I never anticipated that writing a memoir is no less difficult a process than writing a purely fictional narrative. I was also delighted to discover that it is no less fulfilling, both in getting to know myself better as a person and in developing my writing skills. In taking that class I found myself feeling invigorated to start writing creatively once more.
I believe many lessons in writer’s craft are just as prevalent when writing a memoir and the process of penning one can even help generate ideas for fictional stories.
Lesson 1: Kill Your Darlings
I never understood this more than when I took upon the daunting task of writing about my life. Memoirs, unlike autobiographies, tend to focus on a specific aspect of one’s life. As a result, writing a memoir is an exercise in restraint. While it may still be a factual retelling of a certain year or years in a person’s life, no one wants to read a blow-by-blow account, in much the same way that readers wouldn’t want to labor through unimportant details in a fictional narrative. Writing a compelling memoir is great practice in grappling with a lot of ideas, deciding what to omit, what you would like to focus on and how you would like to shape the plot.
Lesson 2: Show don’t tell
When recounting certain experiences in my memoir, I constantly found myself wondering how I could elevate the scene by being more descriptive. I knew how I felt at a certain moment in time; translating it so that others would feel the same was the tricky part.
In writing something as personal and meaningful as a memoir, you will naturally want to do justice to your story. Being able to draw on real world experiences poses as a great way to test and strengthen your ability to encapsulate the atmosphere of a scene and become a stronger writer.
Lesson 3: Write what you know
‘Each of us is a book waiting to be written, and that book, if written, results in a person explained.’ ~Thomas M. Cirignano
It’s common to fall into the trap of thinking that to write a good story, you need a ‘big’ idea, or to have lived an extraordinary life.
Taking the memoir writing course was eye opening to me, as it demonstrated that it’s entirely possible to write an interesting and engaging narrative by drawing inspiration from everyday life. No matter what experiences you’ve lived through, writing a memoir invite you to tap into, reflect on and comprehend emotions that are universal – emotions that, once explored and communicated, have the power to bring your stories to life and compel your readers to resonate and engage with your words.
Lesson 4: You must cultivate your voice
Having said that, cultivating your unique voice is equally important in leaving a lasting and memorable impression. For some, developing authorial voice is not something that can be mastered overnight. I found the deep reflection and retrospection involved in writing a memoir naturally invites the exploration and experimentation of voice. In writing about my life, I came to understand my values and myself more, and this started to reflect in the tone, character, and inherent personality of my authorial voice over time, both in my memoir and other written work.
The possibilities of writing a memoir are endless. By taking ownership of your life story, you come to know yourself better as a person. What’s more, simply by drawing on your own life experiences, you have the means to develop your craft and yield the power of the written word to excite, engage, and resonate with your readers.
