Ask the editor: 6 steps to writing a memoir
Q : I have so much material for my memoir. How do I sort out what to include and what to leave out?
A : This is the key problem a writer faces when constructing a non-fiction memoir. Here are six specific steps to consider when making your decisions:
1. First, skip to the end
Every memoir should be a journey of change and transformation. So before filling in the details of a chapter-by-chapter outline, I recommend that you think first about the ending.
Once you know the climax, where you wind up, you’ll know better what the story is and where to begin. Start by asking yourself:
- Why am I writing this precisely now?
- What’s the point I’m trying to make?
- Where am I going with this story?
2. Next, identify the biggest change in your life
Since memoirs are all about challenges, changes, turning points and reaching some new level, plateau, or climactic moment in your life, what’s the dramatic turbulence that’s inspired this memoir? Some possibilities include:
- Coming of age
- Escaping or emigrating from one country to another
- Achieving independence
- Finding love
- Overcoming poverty, illness, anger, abuse
3. Consider what happened before your birth
What about your parents, grandparents, ancestors and other significant influences from the past? How did they influence who you are? Think about your conscious and unconscious attitudes, fears, and values.
4. Outline a prologue, act one, act two, and act three
It’s the narrative arc again, as I discussed recently here. The basic point of the outline is to create a coherent linear structure for the events of your life.
You can reorganize the outline so it starts with a bang at some significant turning point, then flashes back to the very beginning. This is optional, however, and not a formulaic requirement.
5. Go through the outline and delete at least half of it
Avoid the kitchen sink school of writing. Include only those events and characters which directly relate and provide meaning to the point you want to make: how you grew, developed, changed.
6. Now you’re ready to start writing
Selling this memoir, of course, depends on the literary quality of the writing and excellence of the story. The only exception to that requirement is for famous celebrities of whom everyone has already heard.
But for the rest of us – we have to be smarter, more selective, more organized, and most of all know how and why we got from infancy to the wonderful and inspiring denouement of now.
August 25th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Thank you so much for this advice. It is precisely what I need.
September 14th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Thank You for your advice. I am going to seriously attempt to do what I have wanted to do all of my life, write. You have given me the courage to go for it. Hopefully 65 is not too late.
September 30th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Thanks for your exceptional short and sweet stepping stone to structuring for memoir…
Iris Sankey Lewis
Belizean/AfroAmerican
November 5th, 2009 at 5:38 am
It is so nice this is up. I can finish my assignment in my creative writing class. Yeeeppp!!! Thank you
January 25th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
This is a perfect flashback and outline for what I needed in college. Thank you. It helped a lot with clearing out multiple forms of informations
February 28th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
I would like to personally thank you for the critical information. I graduated with my Masters degree about two years ago and I have been so inspired to write a story of my life. It is very unique just like everyones life. So thanks for assisting me with this information as I know I will do well.
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:06 am
[...] Book Deal Ask the Editor: 6 steps to writing a memoir Editor Alan Rinzler offers excellent advice on writing. Once you read this memoir-specific post, I [...]
August 31st, 2010 at 2:17 am
Hi Alan,
I have ‘finished’ my autobiography and have found one of the best literary agents. When he received my manuscript he has given a lot of things to do to put my book right.
He commented that I was no longer a household name and that it is too epidsodic. It needs stronger narrative arc and my own character to be fully realised. If I am to work with him I must:
1. 1 page synopsis highlighting with bullet points what makes the book new and special
2. 1 page cv
3. 1 page with a few lines on the five most recent competing and comparable books giving author, title publisher and date of publication together with a note on how the books realte to the authors own work.
4. i page on sources used
5. 1 page on any specialist marketing outlets ie websites, magazines etc
6. 1 page synopsis per chapter
So there we are! Not sure what cv means.
Where to I begin to deliver the above
Many thanks, Liz
August 31st, 2010 at 11:14 am
Hi Liz,
CV means Curriculum Vitae, a summation of your personal and professional background in a more academic style than the usual resume or author “platform”. Search on-line for standard templates.
You can also read this post on what publishers want in a proposal: http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2008/06/28/the-book-proposal-heres-what-publishers-want/. It touches on some of the points on your list.
But from what your agent has requested I’d recommend that before sending anything back to him, you consider hiring a professional developmental editor to help you put together a proper proposal and, most importantly, to work with you on revising the manuscript to develop the narrative arc, your character and other elements as necessary to bring it to the level an agent and publisher would expect.