Memoir writing can be time consuming and exhausting if you are unsure of how to go about it. Many people write memoirs for many different reasons and for any of these reasons here are a few tips to help you along the way.
Focus as you write. You know what you want to say, but sometimes our mind can get ahead of us and you might end up putting it down in the wrong way, etc.
More help for memoir writing…
Stay focused on just what it is you want to say and even jot it down on a separate piece of paper if needed. Create an outline of everything you want to include.
Know who you are writing the memoir for. Depending on who you write this memoir for you will want to try and use different writing styles. If it is for close family or even a friend you might use a more personal writing style rather than if it was for a more public audience.
Use your outline as a small rough draft of the memoir you want to create. You might even write down certain words or phrases or even sentences that will remind you of a specific thing you want to mention in the memoir. Sometimes we can forget these special sentiments when we start the memoir because our minds are reeling away. Write it down and you have less chance of forgetting it!
Once you have an outline or rough draft done you can start putting the memoir together. You can fill in the times between the ‘special’ moments you mention and what you learned during those times, etc. Try not to change the entire memoir as you do this or it will take you even longer than you expected.
When you are done filling in the blanks you can finish it yourself or have someone help you. If you have the resources consider having it published or at least put into book format to give to your special loved one or for your public audience to view. Writing a memoir can be an accomplishment for anyone willing to take the time to do it.
How to Start a Memoir
A memoir is an autobiography – just somewhat shorter than a regular autobiography.
When someone decides to write a memoir they usually want to include the most important aspects and topics of the story they want to tell.
This can be a time consuming project if you have not written one before so here are a few key things to remember in order to start a memoir.
Who are you writing this memoir for?
Maybe you want to write it for yourself, your children, or maybe even for a more broad audience like the public. Either way you need to know just who it is being written for before you should actually start it.
You might consider making an outline of what you want to include in the memoir before actually starting it. This can come in to play while writing because you won’t have to worry about forgetting to mention something important. You can write down exactly what you want to put in it and even add to it as you think of things.
Remember when you write a memoir that it more than likely will not be perfect the first time. You will probably have to go through a few drafts before ending with a complete perfect memoir. When you finish writing, if you are not a skilled editor or proofreader, have someone do it for you. They can be a professional or a close friend that knows enough about editing a piece of work or memoir.
While you write a memoir remember the satisfaction you will gain when you finish it. You will have completed a special piece of your history for someone and it will probably be around for years to come. Enjoy writing it and put everything you can into it. It can be one of the most rewarding things in your life.
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