Hot Memoir Writing Tips from the Experts-Part IV

 

 GREAT TIPS FOR YOU!!

This is the final segment on FREE Hot Memoir Writing Tips. If you haven’t already begun your memoir writing project, there is no better time than today!

Our past three posts have offered beneficial tips from some of the top experts in memoir writing: Joy DeKok, Darlene Eichler and Denis Ledoux. We hope that you have found these suggestions to be extremely helpful in your writing journey.

All you need to do is to begin by writing your first story about any memory that pops into your mind. Add to your collection one story at a time. There is no need to write in chronological order, as attempting to do this can suddenly prevent forward movement of your project. Capture story after story and sort them into the appropriate order as you complete them.

Below are my special FREE tips.

Mary Anne’s Tip #1:

Even if your parents and grandparents have passed away, try to include stories about them.

Many people have said to me, “It’s just me. There is no one to interview. Everyone else has passed away.”  I tell them that family history has to begin somewhere. What you can do is to write anything distinctive that you can recall about those folks--physical traits, careers, family stories, incidents, what it was like growing up with these people influencing your life--anything that you would like to share with future generations. And then continue on with your own stories. That way, their history lives on, as does yours.

If there are other living relatives available for interview--perhaps aunts, uncles, cousins--try to spend some time finding out what they can recall. You may discover stories you would never have otherwise known.

A particular individual, Sandi, took my workshop series and then organized a “Cousins Weekend” in a distant state, a location that would be somewhat central to where the group of cousins lived. They all shared the same set of grandparents, and each cousin had the opportunity to share stories that they recalled about the grands. What a special way to gain insight via a variety of perspectives! The cousins said goodbye at the end of that weekend with a collection of great stories, as well as the opportunity to reconnect, catch up and get to know each other better as adults. I love that idea!

Mary Anne’s Tip #2:

Take your time. Don’t feel as though you have to rush through the project. Savor the memories, and don’t let the task stress you. It should be enjoyable!

Your story really does matter. If left untold, it will be forever lost. Don’t allow the enormity of the overall task to overwhelm and paralyze you. Understand that this will be an ongoing project for a period of time--perhaps years. Plan to steadily devote reasonable blocks of time in order to progress. Utilize holiday gatherings to record the recollections of family members.

You don’t have to recall and write about every single breath you have ever breathed in life. Carefully pick and choose stories that would benefit your readers--children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and future generations! Give them a sense of who we were and how we lived.

Try to include some humorous situations that you have encountered in life. Everyone can certainly benefit from laughter, and I know that if we really think back, we all have some amusing events lurking in the past.

Remember that WRITING YOUR FAMILY STORIES will build a BRIDGE from GENERATION TO GENERATION!

Begin your memoir writing journey today by taking the 7 simple steps described in 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!

 Visit http://www.awriterspresence.com for links to all formats including print, Kindle and Nook!

JUST A HINT:

Book blog, http://www.abookfeast4u.blogspot.com has a new post about a Vietnam war memoir entitled A Soldier's Journey by George Graves. He writes about his time spent serving our country in a war that not everyone could support. Check it out...