I can’t offer any iron-clad advice without reading your manuscript but I would say this:

a. Editors often write hurried rejections that should not become guidelines for a specific revision. Does being “nervous about the style” really warrant tearing apart your unique narrative structure?

b. There’s no one formula or literary style for a memoir. But always try to make your story more clear, understandable, and inspiring. If what you’ve written is the form of vignettes, take another hard look and ask yourself: is this coherent and easy to follow?

c. Are there too many confusing flashbacks, flashbacks within flashbacks, awkward leaps in time, shifts in point of view or narrative voice, like from first person to third, to second, back and forth? Can you insert any glue or new transitions that would help?

These are some of the issues I would look at if I were working with you as a developmental editor.

Good luck!

-Alan

Thank you for all your useful advice. However, I seem to be facing a different challenge as a result of the style of my memoir. It consists of vignettes, much like Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street, and while my agent is receiving very positive responses to the writing itself, editors seem to be nervous about the style and want a more traditional narrative. I’m hoping to find a way to add to the manuscript without having to tear apart very carefully and chronologically constructed vignettes.

I’d love some advice…

Respectfully,

K. Levy

I am writing about a “unique” subject… I know everyone says that, but I know that there isnt even a little known book about the subject yet. How can I make sure the subject will really interest the reader? Are there any taboos that a publisher looks at?

sincerely

Suneetha

Writing is rewriting. Every good writer does draft after draft until it sings, and flies, and slides down smoothly into your reader’s consciousness. And even then you may come back to it for another pass. I’m sure that such an effort will build the passion and intense emotions of the story of living with your mother. And if it doesn’t work the first time, take heart and try again.

You might want to take a look at my most recent post on what to include and what to leave out when writing a memoir.

Thanks for your thoughtful comment.