Memoir or autobiography
Asked by Antoinette Greenway on May 29, 2020
Hi Jerry,
Last week I asked you about including anecdotes not specifically related to character growth in a memoir. Please bear with me; I am still confused about which genre my WIP is. I am inspired by Gerald Durrell's Corfu Trilogy, with many amusing anecdotes but not really focusing on accomplishments. It is classified as autobiography. I'm reading West with the Night by Beryl Markham. I've seen her book classified as both genres. Which is it? Not every anecdote seems to contribute to personal growth. Same with Out of Africa. Is is possible to
combine the two genres? Obviously I'm not a famous person with earth-shattering accomplishments. You have said those are usually people who write autobiographies, or have them written.
My book is based on newsletters I've written to family and friends from a remote place for thirty years, including amusing, poignant anecdotes and overcoming many obstacles, i.e. personal growth.
Thanks for your help 🙂
Jerry's Answer
Your WIP can be whatever you want it to be, Antoinette. Autobio or memoir, it must be reader-oriented, with reader benefits in mind first.Whatever contributes to that, that's what you want to do.