How to Write a Memoir

Before you start, get clear on why you’re writing a memoir. Are you writing it for yourself, to reminisce on or process your past, or to share your knowledge or personal experience on a particular topic, or are you writing it for someone else?

Get Clear on Your “Why”

It’s essential to have a clear “why” to refer back to throughout the writing process. Your “why” will keep you focused whenever you feel unmotivated or encounter writer’s block, and ultimately, it will help you decide what to include in your story and what to leave out.

Pick a Theme

Once you understand why you’re writing your memoir, you’ll need to decide on a theme for your story. A consistent theme helps tie everything together. Common memoir themes include dealing with grief, overcoming hardships, accepting change, dedicating your life to a cause, building a legacy, starting over, and adjusting to a new life.

Unlike an autobiography, a memoir is about a specific time in your life. This is why many people will write more than one memoir in their lifetime—it’s not your entire life story from the cradle to the grave. A personal memoir is a glimpse into your story or an inspirational part of your journey. In writing, this idea of a theme is often called a “turning point,” a significant event that forever changes you and points you in a new direction.

Create an Outline

After you decide on a theme, you’re ready to create your outline. Creating an outline is key to keeping your storyline focused and concise. Decide what areas of your life your memoir will focus on, and don’t get too hung up on the chronology unless it’s essential in telling your story. Remember, a memoir isn’t required to follow the same structure as an autobiography, and your account of the events is more important than the order in which they occurred.

Now You’re Ready to Start Writing

This is where your outline comes in. If you take the time to create an outline, you don’t have to start at the beginning of your story; you can work on whichever chapter or section you feel most drawn to. This will help you write more intuitively, hopefully making the process more enjoyable.

When recounting your memories, include detailed descriptions to invite your reader into your experiences. For example, if you’re writing about your childhood, and many of your early memories took place in the kitchen while your mother baked bread, describe the puff of flour that circled the air as your mom kneaded the dough, how the scent of warm bread filled your home, and how your stomach would grumble in anticipation. Or describe the steam that swirled from the loaf as soon as she removed it from the pan and the sound of the bread’s crust crunching under the weight of her knife as she cut off the first slice for you. You get the idea. Detailed descriptions will make the story more relatable for your reader, and it’s a great memory practice for you.

But, most importantly, don’t get discouraged. Writing a memoir is a big commitment. It requires consistency, holding yourself accountable, and, most of all, perseverance.