Memoir: do percentages matter?

[Bluestone]

I'm pretty clear about the definition of memoir - focusing on memories of a certain time in one's life, as opposed to a chronology of events or an overview of the whole life. At least that's my take on it.

My main question is this:

Since a memoir presumably can't be written in a vacuum, how much of the other parts of one's life are usually added for context or interest?

In other words, can this be a viable, compelling memoir and still have a certain percentage of early life, other events and/or the present included?
Is there a sort of formula? For example (only an example) 1/2 main event, 1/4 past, 1/4 present or other events.
Do certain books work better than others, in your opinion, because of these inclusions or because they were eliminated?

[sommemi]

I think this is the reason why I was wondering about introductions... in my case, it's definately a lot of not-so-connected stories collected together. Yes, each story kind of can stand on its own, but I believe in MY case the stories are better understood if you know a little more about the person who is telling the stories.

I don't know that there would be a specific formula... but I would say that it depends on how much is really pertinent to the memoir, and also how much the reader might feel compelled to wonder about as a result of the memoir. It could be an extremely short bit of information before the memoir if there isn't much needed to 'set the stage' (so to speak). But you might have a great deal of 'after' info if the memoir made a significant impact on this person afterwards.

And vice versa... really long intro and little-to-no after detail. I think it really depends on the specific story and what the reader NEEDS in order to feel like the whole story/memoir is complete.

Gosh - writing sure is a funny little thing, isn't it? There's just no hard and fast rules, are there?

[Nandi]

Bluestone, I'm not aware of any percentages, per se. I think a certain amount of backstory is essential to provide context and motivation. Adeptly handled, it's probably not necessary to go on at great length. Then again, if the memoir requires further contextualization, one could devote an entire chapter to backstory.

In her book, Writing the Memoir, Judith Barrington has a chapter called "Moving Around in Time" which you might find useful. Of the many books available about writing memoirs, I found Barrington's to be the most helpful.

[Bluestone]

Thanks sommemi and nandi. This whole memoir genre seems to be a very fluid thing. I appreciate your thoughts.

Nandi, I'll definitely look for Writing the Memoir. I have read a couple of books on life writing, but they seemed to be more geared towards jogging your memory with writing triggers.

[Nandi]

Bluestone, your question has lingered with me. I noticed, in the novel I am currently reading, that the author has skillfully woven elemnets of background into the chronological "now" of the story. Sometimes she does this by having the protagonist ponder something from his past in the midst of the action. Other times, the author gently pulls the reader away from the "now" in order to lay down some backstory connected, sometimes by the thinnest of threads, to an element of the story. It might be something in the setting or a character's gesture or tone of voice.

I think careful handling these time transitions is the mark of a good writer, don't you? The thing to be avoided is the "info dump," in which too much background is unceremoniously deposited in the midst of the story.

Anyway, just some musing on the important topic you introduced.

[Bluestone]

Thanks Nandi. Yes, point well taken. Info dumping to be avoided at all cost! Appreciate your further thoughts.