How to Write a Memoir
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
- You want to write your memoir, but will anyone care?
Many elements go into a memoir that captivates.
This might sound crazy, but believe it or not, your memoir isn’t about you!
In this video, I’ll tell you what I mean. I cover:
- 5 steps to a powerful memoir
- Memoir vs. Autobiography
- The worst memoir writing mistakes
- Who your memoir really needs to be about
- Your all-important theme
- Getting your story to those who need it most
- Memoirs you must read
Need more writing advice? Here's my complete (and free) self-editing checklist!
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![How to Write a Memoir for Beginners [12-Step Blueprint from a Writing Coach]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t5TUZajlM6g/mqdefault.jpg)
I love Jerry's voice. He isn't pushy or overselling, just gently describing some great tips for writing.
You are genuine and generous, Jerry! No loud marketing tricks that insult the intelligence. I learn a lot from your videos. Greetings from the Netherlands!
Gosh, all of his comments are so clear and spot-on.
There are so many authors on CZcams it’s ridiculous. But the universe made your video appear in front of me and now I am hooked on how you present your videos. Being that I am 63 years old writing my first memoir I watched all 17.16 seconds of your video and you have my attention. Not only are you in established author but it conveys you know what you’re talking about. And I guess because you’re bald to and not shaved your head has a lot to do with it just kidding so now I’m about to watch other videos of yours to help me along my journey
I was always a natural story teller, like my parents. I write, how I remember things. I published "Memories od Fairlawn" back in September on amazon and am working on my memoirs of seven years as a maintenance man at a luxury apartment complex.
I’d love to read your memoir of being a maintenance man in a luxury apartment.
Your information is invaluable as I proceed to write a book, for the first time, at 60 years old. Thank you so much!
Good luck Sandee.
How’s it going…did you write one?
This is crazy😩😩 first time writer even though it’s always been apart of me and I decided that I wanted to write a memoir. It has literally been coming along as you described but you’ve given me ways to clean it up tremendously. Before, I was just writing what sounded interesting and felt captivating to me but with someone else in mind… kind of like I was having a conversation in my mind. Thank you so much
How’s it going? I want to do a memoir for cathartic and morbid reasons…I want my children to know about me and understand me😊
WOW, I just listened to this video on CZcams. Awesome. I am 70 yrs. old and have been toying with the idea of putting pen to paper (more specifically, fingers to keyboard - digitally) and leaving my grandchildren and friends the transformation of my life over the years. Your video has given me to courage to step forward. Thank you. Your new follower.
I salute you for moving forward. I am almost 70 and tackling it too. It’s long overdue but I’m ready. I wish you well in your writing.
Jerry you broke it down so easily I'm excited to start writing. Your tips are helpful thanks!
This is the best most concise advice I have ever heard. Thank you!
I wrote my Memoir and am trying to get it published now, so this video was really helpful. Thank you so much for posting it.
Really needed this as I'm writing my memoirs now! Determined to finish my story - thanks Jenkins a true legend in the field of writing
I have been thinking of writing a book about my 39 year career still on going . Your tips are encouraging . Thank you for genuine tips and guidelines.
“The most powerful, effective memoir gets closer to the bone. The more introspect and vulnerable you are, the helpful your memoir would be.”
This helps me to present my testimony in Christ. Merry Christmas All!
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wow. Thank you so much. Jerry, you have helped me so much, and even though I am rarely compelled to write a comment, it would be churlish not do so because I got so much out of this one short video. I'm deeply grateful to you for your precision and clarity and most of all your willingness to share your knowledge with everyone who is here. When those big emotions are crashing into the words we have to put onto the page to get the story written and out of our heads and hearts and onto the paper, it is so vitally important and so amazingly helpful to have this video with this structure and tips to hang on to. Thank you again Jerry, and I wish you well. M
Thank you Jerry. I learned so much in those 17 minutes - such valuable advice for me to take forward in my own memoir. Particularly around changing names AND going the extra mile not to throw people under the bus... that's food for thought.
Jerry, that was great!! Thank you very much. I’ve just recently begun writing my memoir in hopes to help others. 🙏🏼 My only slight dilemma is that though I’m 39, my life is just now making that turning point 🙌🏼 and I’ve met the love of my life. So, I can start telling my story, but with her now, it’s only just begun. 😊
Keep writing. Someone needs to hear your story.
Congratulations on meeting the love of your life, it's an amazing feeling, even through the storms of life
This video is really helpful, but I disagree with your last point. If your father abused you during your childhood, you can’t change it to your teacher abusing you. Your memoir becomes fiction at that point. Pseudonyms are fine if you give a disclaimer, but you can’t make big changes like that and still call it a true story. Also, sometimes you gotta throw people under the bus if they deserve it. If the events really happened and you have proof, any grievances won’t hold up in court.
I agree, the emotional response to a father's abuse is far different from that of a teacher. I know I experienced both. Actually it wasn't a teacher it was the school psychologist
I agree
I agree, in my opinion that defeats the purpose of a memoir.
Great idea, Jerry, I think that filling out a character arc worksheet would help me flesh out my memoir tremendously. Wishing you well
Wow… I woke up, remembering the really crazy year(s) around 1993. I opened my phone to look for “how to” videos and found this video. Your advice is awesome. I totally thought I’d need to write from “my” perspective, until you said “make it about the reader.” I plan to self- publish, on AMAZON maybe. This video guide, is extremely helpful. Thank you. I’ve subscribed and will watch your other videos too. Thanks again!
Oyyy, the “crunch of the gravel” brought back some memories/panic! (Not, fortunately, for the extreme reasons as the character mentioned.)
I want you to know I throughly enjoyed your insight. Also, I have started your recommended reading with the first title of course. So very good. 👏
You are a wise man, a generous teacher, and a master at your craft. I am indelibly grateful for the precious lessons I have learned from you.
Jerry, your superior advice on how to write a memoir is priceless.
This was amazingly helpful! I searched hundreds of videos and articles for this information and this provided more help than all of them put together. Thank you!
I'm so happy to have found you! I appreciate the clarity in the way you talk and explain things. And wonderful tools! It's easy to follow! Thanks so much!
This is so valuable. I just wrote a memoir last year. I had not viewed this video, but you have confirms I approached it correctly.
Amazing! So clear and answering my questions as if you read my mind! Huge help!
Thank you as so much! The part of about throwing people under the bus is especially helpfull. That was the main thing preventing me from wrighting together
Succinct and timely! I recently published my first novel, and my oldest and dearest friend promptly asked me to write her memoirs. I never even toyed with the possibility of nonfiction before, but her story really should be told. We already even discussed some aspects included in this video. THANK YOU!
Jerry, your generosity with knowledge and craft techniques is humbling. Thank you so much for all your outstanding videos.
Thank you for posting this, it was so helpful! Insightful, and we're lucky to have a platform like this that allows brilliant minds like yours to share your writing wisdom!
I could have listened all day. Wow what valuable information. I purchased his courses a few years back. Thank you.
I like your videos Jerry and they'll turn my dreams into reality. You're so genuine.
“I have been putting this off for ten years, because it was personal, because dreaming backwards can carry a man through some dark rooms where the walls seem lined with razor blades.”
Rick Bragg
I want to thank you M Jenkins for the list of references. I just begin to read Rick Bragg and just the opening of the book hit deep and strong. I’m holding my breath. Just don’t want to cry.
This is so helpful, I have been debating about this very subject! Thank you so much Jerry
without knowing, this man has just answered all the questions id been asking myself about how to write my memoirs, brilliant
Thank you for this. I needed this as I have been thinking about writing a memoir myself. I very much appreciated the information you have given here. If not only for myself.
Always clear and to the point Jerry 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿. I have benefited a lot from your advice.
Talks by Jerry Jenkins are not only educational, they are inspirational! Heartfelt thanks!
Thank you for sharing your expert knowledge with us.
I am encouraged and ready to try .......
Cheers!
Good Morning Sir, thank you so much for explaining everything in detail. all the doubts have been cleared, the difference between an autobiography and a memoir, the theme, reader oriented, no preaching, and the MOST IMPORTANT THING I WAS CONFUSED TOO MUCH WAS," THROWING PEOPLE UNDER THE BUS". THIS WAS THE POINT I WAS CONFUSED BCZ, HOW CAN I LIE IN A MEMOIR. THE TIPS THAT YOU'VE GIVEN ARE OF GREAT HELP. Thanks once again and may God bless you sir!!!! 👍👍👍👍🌻🌺🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🪳
Thank you very much Jerry for your generosity, support, and encouragement. I have learned so much from you and I thank God for all the videos and information. God bless you always! Ann
Wow… you just spoke about the difference between telling and showing and I am speechless. So impressive
So clearly explained. Thank you
I got alot from this video, I appreciate the way you give information and dont ramble 15 minutes before getting to your point.
Thank you, Jerry, I have been able to fill 3 pages of notes on this topic, as I can see now how I can relate this information you gave here, and apply it to a non-fiction book I am working on. You have given me a slant on how I can give the topic a more personal to reader acceptance and a novel approach I am trying to get across with this book. Cheers Peter... From Australia...
So helpful! Wow.. this was absolutely on point, starting from the intro until the very end.
Great advice. Just when I thought I would have to write a long autobiography, I was reminded that I don't have to do that in order to keep the theme alive and portray the important information.
This has been so very helpful. Thank you for your expertise and simplification of your instructions.
An excellent video. Very helpful - I've learnt a lot watching and rerunning this video. Many thanks.
Thank you, I feel I have something that I can help others to overcome. You confirmed it is important but how to write it is more important. Ty
dude, i love you. thank you so much for this video! love from brazil
Thank you. This was incredibly insightful and helpful.
Valuable insight. Thank you, incredible info. You are appreciated.
Thank you for this video and for the Character Arc Worksheet download, Jerry!
And my favorite memoir is The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls.
I have started my memoir ruff draft.YOU ARE GREAT!!!!
The Sound of Music was a memoir written in 1949 by Maria von Trapp. It's a great example.
Jerry, this is a very generous and helpful video. Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for this wonderful video. It has blown my mind. I am itching to write!
Very useful information about stories that are actionable. Good to know. Thank you.
Great advice Jerry, thank you
Great advice! Very informative and easy to understand material. Thank you for your education.
Wow great information condensed in a short video, thank you so much Jerry!
This is brilliant, and extremely helpful. thank you!
Thank you for tips of the trade in writing a successful memoir. Much of this I didn't realize. This is very helpful.
This was phenomenal
Great Great advice! Thank you!
Hi Gerry, thank you so much for the video. I can’t wait to watch the rest. I tried to find your character arc worksheet but had no luck. What do you suggest?
Another great Memoir is Sherman Alexie's "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me."
This inspired me to write my first book. Thank you for the info!
Am about to write a biography about my grandmother, listening your video is super helpful though the subject about memoir. Thank you🌻
Thanks Jerry - so helpful!
Thank you for all the ideas
Very well said! Thank you
Your channel is extremely helpful. Thank you.
Thsnk you. This was clear and precise.
Thanks, that is crystal clear, very clear and clean explanation
Thanks so much for this. It was very helpful and encouraging. and now I know I'm working on a memoir, not an autobiography.
This is very informative. I want to start writing my own memoir and i asked God for help. He sent your video to me without me searching for writing videos. And after listening to him, I have no desire to check any other video for this has all i need to know.
Im a 15 year old trying to write about my experiences in foster care, and what i experienced when i came back home, but its hard to get advice because most people think it silly someone so young writting a memoir.
Hey Jacob, I'm a former foster kid myself. When I was your age, I had dreamt of writing a memoir of my experiences as well. I put it off until now, but I wish I hadn't. I believe in you. You've got this. With time you will get better and better.
Such an informative video. Thank you.
This has been so helpful. My outline was almost written by the end! Please can you suggest some examples by natural historians.
Thank you, exactly great information I need to know right now 😊
Thanks sir I really wanna work on this.
thank you for the clarification - i sorely needed an explanation of a memoir. Now i know i am writing a memoir
I am starting o write a book and his information helped me a lot from South Africa
Thank you sir 🙏🏻
Thank you for being the mentor to us you didn't have!
Hi Jerry, I really adore your content. Could you do a video on what kinds of books you read and which authors you love. I would love to know your thoughts on Anne Rice (if you read her) and how and when flowery prose works in novels.For me personally, I find Young Adult fiction beneath my reading level and get bored very easy, because as much as I enjoy a good story- I like to be challenged by the language too. Think David Eddings and Dean Koontz who have this very deliberate evocative prose in addition to Anne.
Thank you for the very helpful video.
This was really helpful, it seems like I was already on the right path, but this solidified those ideas.
Thank u so much ur soul is amazing I'm an aspiring writer and have all these ideas I have dyslexia and can't quite organize them so I'm going to get it all on paper I don't have much money but this has been on my heart since I was in my teens and now I'm 41but it never to late
This is very awesome!!! I thank you much
Thank you so much Jerry, so very helpful, now I'm asking myself questions about not being sued, how to redo my original idea - really enjoy your videos - from New Zealand.
Super helpful.
Thank you!!
That helped so much! Thank you.
Your advice came up on my feed near the top and I'm grateful for the advice. I've written a first draught of my memoir. I'm disturbed, though, by you saying not to throw anyone under a bus - how do you not? Thank you
Thank you, so much...wonderful stuff and no hot air...lots of fresh air... also love that mine was the thousandth like... seems portent :)