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Method for Writing a Memoir
Asked by Linda Ovitt on March 8, 2020
Is Memoir a mixture of 50% story and 50% self-reflection (perceptions and lessons learned), or is this unhealthy writing advice for memoirs?
I'm beginning to think self-reflection is good for blog posts, but telling in Memoir and can disrupt the story.
Thank You, Linda
Jerry's Answer
First, Linda, you should never attempt to write a book in a genre within which you are not immersed. You should be reading dozens of memoirs before writing your first word, and if you are, you'd know the answer to this question.
That said, reflection and lessons learned should go without saying in a well-told memoir. If the story does its job, it makes its own points and teaches its own lessons without your having to say so-here's-what-I learned-from-that, implication being, here's-what-you-can-learn-from-that.
Just tell the story, tell the truth, and any application will be obvious and need not be hammered home. The reader can apply it as he or she wishes.