Having The Courage to Write a Memoir

TheRoadToMyself · Apr 5, 2011

There's no doubt that it takes guts to tell a brutally honest story about your life. I thought I'd stop in as both a new member, as well as the author of an up-coming Memoir entitled The Road To Myself, and see if anyone else is navigating the road to Indie publishing on their terms.

Cheers!

Jeff Emmerson

onepercussive · Apr 5, 2011

content

Interesting content is the most important thing about a website to begin. It doesn't matter how it looks, if it ain't interesting, they won't read it.

Be diligent with a blog and with social networking online.

TheRoadToMyself · Apr 5, 2011

Well said!

FocusOnEnergy · Apr 5, 2011

Another self-publishing memorist here. It is indeed hard to be honest about yourself in a memoir, especially when your behavior hasn't exactly been sweetness and light. Welcome to AW, Jeff.

Focus

Purple Rose · Apr 5, 2011

Welcome Jeff, are you indie or self-published? Big difference, just curious.

Also, totally agree with onepercussive about interesting material. It holds true for websites as it does for books.

All the best!!

TheRoadToMyself · Apr 6, 2011

I'm publishing via Lightning Source...Damn near Indie, but with a few benefits for sure.

To the second post above this one: People all over the place need inspiration from others, and want to read REAL stories that involve mistakes, heartache, and learning how to overcome challenges by finding the answers within.

FocusOnEnergy · Apr 6, 2011

TheRoadToMyself said:
To the second post above this one: People all over the place need inspiration from others, and want to read REAL stories that involve mistakes, heartache, and learning how to overcome challenges by finding the answers within.

My story is not an inspirational one. It started out that way, but after recommended revisions, it became the gossipy tell-all that my local news blog's readership is hungry for. I'm known for digging deep and finding out the "rest of the story.

The transormative and quite spiritual narrative was lost on the "cutting room floor". Apparently nobody wanted to read about how this changed me.

I ratted out myself for being deceitful and absolutely ruthless in the pursuit of the facts of the matter behind the perceived cover-up, but I also stated that I'd do it exactly the same way if I had to do it all again, because the end justified the means.

Focus

jaksen · Apr 6, 2011

The question I want to ask is: what makes your life, and your life experiences so interesting that I might want to buy or read your memoir?

(I think memoirs are a difficult write and a hard sell and I give anyone who wants to write one all the credit in the world.)

But what is in your particular life story or experience that would make me - Joe Average Reader - want to read about it? Or buy it?

The last memoir I read was Angela's Ashes.

Purple Rose · Apr 6, 2011

jaksen said:
The question I want to ask is: what makes your life, and your life experiences so interesting that I might want to buy or read your memoir?

Same reason some people read memoirs - an insight into another world (Angela's Ashes) and understanding or empathy (cancer, addiction, abuse, etc). Some people just like reading about someone else's life - the pain and the triumph - maybe for inspiration (Glass Castle).

The best ones are invariably very well-written.

I only read memoirs pertaining to my condition and have written mine for a similar audience (querying now).

Despite saturation, I believe there is still a market for certain types of memoirs.

TheRoadToMyself · Apr 7, 2011

The answer is simple: There is a target audience for everyone. Once I realized that, I was never discouraged again. No one else should be, either.

Check out my "about me" page on my blog/site, as I explain a bit of why...

jaksen · Apr 7, 2011

Some memoir authors (memoirists? sp?) have gone through truly exceptional circumstances to get where they are today. That's why I asked, in essence, what sets your life (or life experience) apart from the 'norm' or ordinary.

I also give anyone on this thread, or forum, full credit for writing what must be very painful (at times.) The backlash from family and friends can be difficult to deal with. I could never do it and my family thinks I'm awesome for having published just a few short stories. But the truth would hurt them and there's no way to write a memoir without the truth staring you full in the face.

All writing involves risks, but memoir and autobiograhies, imo, are the riskiest as they involve close, intimate, personal risk.

Good luck to you all in this endeavour.

TheRoadToMyself · Apr 7, 2011

jaksen said:
Some memoir authors (memoirists? sp?) have gone through truly exceptional circumstances to get where they are today. That's why I asked, in essence, what sets your life (or life experience) apart from the 'norm' or ordinary.

I also give anyone on this thread, or forum, full credit for writing what must be very painful (at times.) The backlash from family and friends can be difficult to deal with. I could never do it and my family thinks I'm awesome for having published just a few short stories. But the truth would hurt them and there's no way to write a memoir without the truth staring you full in the face.

All writing involves risks, but memoir and autobiograhies, imo, are the riskiest as they involve close, intimate, personal risk.

Good luck to you all in this endeavour.

I understand your perspective, and thank you! Keep on going yourself as well.

Lavinia · Apr 8, 2011

My book involves a traditional publisher and comes out Nov. 2011. That said, whether it's traditional or indie or self-published, the best person to market it is the author. We can never forget this. I have a fabulous publisher who is known for their progressive marketing and publicity, but I have spent a lot of hours learning about marketing. I've read books, listened to podcasts, watched video, attended seminars...you get the idea. No matter the publishing means, you will always do a better job at talking up your book than anybody else. If you have a traditional publisher, then your efforts will be in concert with theirs. If not, you will need to create a community of support and learn all you can and then apply everything you know to aggressively market your book. That's just my opinion and obviously I'm not "there" yet, so when the book finally hits the shelves, we'll see if my opinion is worth anything. Good luck to you! ~Karen

Purple Rose · Apr 8, 2011

jaksen said:
Some memoir authors (memoirists? sp?) have gone through truly exceptional circumstances to get where they are today. That's why I asked, in essence, what sets your life (or life experience) apart from the 'norm' or ordinary.

I also give anyone on this thread, or forum, full credit for writing what must be very painful (at times.) Good luck to you all in this endeavour.

Thank you Jaksen, for your kind and reassuring words.

Your question about what sets my life apart (or any memoirist's) is one I am still asking as I query. I haven't had much luck but with the help of a kind AWer, I have been able to tighten my query letter, specifically the hook. I have sent out numerous queries in the past three weeks and hope to get some interest with this hook (this is the tightened version):

"Achieving an enviable life while experiencing dizzying highs and diabolical lows in one of the world’s most competitive and unforgiving cities is a real wonder. More so in an environment where people still believe a manic rage is due to demon possession and depression is punishment for bad deeds."

It may not be of interest to most people but it will be if you have a destructive illness and would like to read about a happy ending. Like Jeff says, "The Road To Myself". It could also be the same road for others.

So yes, it's very hard to put myself out there, bring shame upon my family (probably my small country too) and open myself to harsh criticism but like all writers, I want to tell a story and believe someone will want to read it.

Like all AWers writing a memoir and querying, my fingers are crossed, for them and for myself

FocusOnEnergy · Apr 8, 2011

I would say that what sets my memoir apart is that thus far I'm the only writer to tell the story of the worst environmental disaster in the Midwest, which impacted the town where I live, last summer. And, the story I have to tell is the behind the scenes stuff, the rest of the story when it came to what people saw on television or read in the paper.

My "hook" would be as follows:

Have you ever wondered what would happen if a small-town progressive activist, who freelances as a community news reporter, took on the President and CEO of the multi-billion dollar corporation responsible for causing the worst environmental disaster in the history of the Midwest? Who do you think would win?

Focus

TheRoadToMyself · Apr 10, 2011

Lavinia said:
My book involves a traditional publisher and comes out Nov. 2011. That said, whether it's traditional or indie or self-published, the best person to market it is the author. We can never forget this. I have a fabulous publisher who is known for their progressive marketing and publicity, but I have spent a lot of hours learning about marketing. I've read books, listened to podcasts, watched video, attended seminars...you get the idea. No matter the publishing means, you will always do a better job at talking up your book than anybody else. If you have a traditional publisher, then your efforts will be in concert with theirs. If not, you will need to create a community of support and learn all you can and then apply everything you know to aggressively market your book. That's just my opinion and obviously I'm not "there" yet, so when the book finally hits the shelves, we'll see if my opinion is worth anything. Good luck to you! ~Karen

I absolutely LOVE your quote in the mini-banner. BANG-ON.

Rhonda2 · Jan 15, 2012

well I just finished a momoir on my life as a transexual, and I can tell you its the hardest thing I have ever done. But with the writing came an enormous feeling of relief- as if a heavy burden had been lifted off me. So, my all means, write a memoir.

Having The Courage to Write a Memoir

TheRoadToMyself

onepercussive

Apparent Being Searching Anomalies

TheRoadToMyself

FocusOnEnergy

Empirical Storm Trooper

Purple Rose

practical experience, FTW

TheRoadToMyself

FocusOnEnergy

Empirical Storm Trooper

jaksen

Caped Codder

Purple Rose

practical experience, FTW

TheRoadToMyself

jaksen

Caped Codder

TheRoadToMyself

Lavinia

Purple Rose

practical experience, FTW

FocusOnEnergy

Empirical Storm Trooper

TheRoadToMyself

Rhonda2