Welcome to the series of Posts from Your Archives and I will be sharing posts from the SECOND six months of 2023 from your archives.
This current series is now closed to submissions but there will be a new series to participate in later in the year.
This is the first post from the archives of one of my favourite authors Jacqui Murray who has captured the imagination of the readers of her pre-historic series. It used to be that only the rich and famous (sometimes infamous) wrote about their lives but today this genre has been opened up to everyone who would like to share their path in life. Our ancestors are inspiring, their stories compelling and can also be heartbreaking. In this post Jacqui celebrates the genre and also offers some great tips on how to write about your life in a way that engages the reader. Delighted to be mentioned along with Sam….
In the USA, August 31st is We Love Memoirs Day a day when memoir readers and authors come together to chat. I’m a few days early, but I didn’t want to miss it! I don’t write memoirs, but I have read many great ones. Here are a few I’ve read and reviewed (in alpha order):
Ankur Mithal’s What Happens in Office Stays in Office–an intimate view of business life in India
Betsy Kerekes’ Be A Happier Parent or Laugh Trying–about parenting without tears
Christy Teglo’s Weathered: Finding Strength on the John Muir Trail about her novice-but-successful trek of one of nature’s difficult trails
DG Kaye’s many books discussing lessons she’s learned throughout her storied life
J.Q. Rose’s Arranging a Dream–-how she built a successful business though she was a newbie
Jacqui Murray (that’s me) Building a Midshipman about my daughter’s four years from HS frosh to USNA Midshipman
Liesbet Collaert’s book, Plunge, about living an unusual life
Miriam Hurdle’s The Winding Road: A Journey of Survival–her survival story against the killer cancer
Pete Springer’s They Call Me Mom about his experiences as a teacher
Sally Cronin’s amazing book about a dog she loved named Sam
For many, the one book they have inside of them is a memoir. If you decide to take up this writing genre, here are some tips:
- Make sure the topic of your memoir is interesting. Most people’s lives aren’t. True, the writer’s skill can make it so, but what will inspire readers to pick up the tome? You need a hook–maybe you’re Octo Mom. Or Amoo Hadij who hasn’t taken a bath for over 60 years. The theme must make people turn the page.
- Write in first person, from the author’s POV.
- NPR’s William Zinsser says memoir authors should “think small” (you don’t have to provide all the details) and make a series of “reducing decisions” (same idea). And–‘be yourself’, ‘think freely’.
- According to literary agent, Barbara Doyen, a memoir questions “what happened and come(s) to some kind of new understanding or lesson learned by it. The author shows us how he or she was affected by this experience, how it has profoundly changed the way (s/)he sees the world. And by extension, reading the book will change the way the reader sees the world.”
- The unique voice of the person telling the story should be human, approachable, and not sound like a ‘writer’.
- Write narrative non-fiction, but in story form. This is similar to creative non-fiction which uses the characteristics of fiction to make nonfiction more interesting.
- Write about event(s) in your life without feeling like you must sum up your existence.
- Sometimes, memories are difficult to uncover. Heather Sellers, author of You Don’t Look Like Anyone I Know, suggests you just start writing. It’ll come.
- Gaps in the history don’t matter in a memoir. Just get to the next part that deals with your theme.
- Writing a memoir will hurt people. It can’t be avoided. They’ll disagree with your memory and that’ll upset them. Be prepared.
- Yes, you can get sued for what you write in a memoir. Consider what you’re writing, your purpose, before publishing. Consider consequences and if you’re willing to face them. Consider whether you’d prefer to hide real names and focus on the event.
- In memoirs, ’emotional truth’ is more important than ‘factual truth’. Understand the difference.
- Readers don’t connect with whining. Be substantive.
- You are the protagonist in your memoir, what William Zinnser calls the ‘tour guide’.
- Be honest. Don’t sugar coat, don’t tweak. Represent your memories honestly, in the raw. See what comes out.
- Know how to tell a story. Don’t include the boring stuff readers will skip. Only include the meat.
If you have written a memoir, add it to the comments below with a link to where we can find it.
©Jacqui Murray 2023
A selection of books by Jacqui Murray
One of the reviews for Against All Odds
In The Crossroads Trilogy, Jacqui Murray keeps her readers glued to the page (or screen, in my case!) with vivid characters who come alive through her masterful writing.
Fans of the Gears’ fast moving Native American novels will enjoy Murray’s style, which provides enough technical detail to make her stories realistic without distracting us from the storyline; we are given glimpses of prehistoric lifestyles and toolmaking that make sense in the context presented, not the master class in flint knapping and other skills that we are subjected to in Jean Auel’s books.
I couldn’t wait to move on to each new adventure with Xhosa, Pan Do, Seeker, and all of the other memorable characters in this series! Definitely recommend this, not only to readers of this genre, but anyone who likes a good story well told.
Read the reviews and buy the books: Amazon US – And: Amazon UK – Follow Jacqui: goodreads – Blog: Worddreams – Twitter: @WordDreams
About Jacqui Murray
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, and a contributor to NEA Today. You can find her resources at Structured Learning. Read Jacqui’s tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days here on Amazon Kindle. Also, read her new series, Man vs. Nature, starting with Born in a Treacherous Time–also on Kindle.
Thanks for dropping in today and I hope you are leaving with some books.. thanks Sally.
Smorgasbord Blog Magazine 