I want to write a memoir

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memoirwriting

my life dream is to get a memoir out, but i dont know about publishing and things like that.
Any memoir advice?
 

Perdita

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First, live an interesting life. A VERY interesting life. (Or, at last resort, have brilliant insight on the banality of life in general ((while being very specific descriptively)) in an evocative yet universal sense).

After that's accomplished: Ask yourself, would other people want to read about your life? People you don't know?

If the answer is "yes", then write your memoir in your own brand of vivid literary style.

When it's done, start casting about for a publisher.

I think that covers it.
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Silver King

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Hello memoirwriter,

There's a great place on these boards where you'll find plenty of information, Life Story Writing. It's located here: http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=42

Take some time to study earlier threads, and you'll find many of your questions may be answered without even asking. And when you're stumped, just ask away, and the good folks there will steer you in the right direction.

Best of luck!
 

memoirwriting

my future book is about bullying in the schools. Its full of drama. I dont know if its interesting?:Shrug:
 

Perdita

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memoirwriting said:
my future book is about bullying in the schools. Its full of drama. I dont know if its interesting?
EmoteShrug.gif

Hmmmm... It sounds interesting... Are you sure, though, that you wouldn't want to write it as fiction "based on a true story" so that you can have some leeway to create characters, dialogue, scenes, etc.?
 

memoirwriting

Perdita said:
Hmmmm... It sounds interesting... Are you sure, though, that you wouldn't want to write it as fiction "based on a true story" so that you can have some leeway to create characters, dialogue, scenes, etc.?

i was thinking to make it non-fiction, but to change peoples names and the name of where it takes place, but im not sure if its still would be considered a "memoir"?
 

Sassenach

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Have you written anything? If not, it's a bit early to worry about publishing.
 

OneTeam OneDream

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Perdita said:
Hmmmm... It sounds interesting... Are you sure, though, that you wouldn't want to write it as fiction "based on a true story" so that you can have some leeway to create characters, dialogue, scenes, etc.?


This, in my opinion, is very good advice. It is what I wish I would have done with my memoir. Nothing is easy to sell, but memoirs (unless you are a celebrity or a survivor of some disaster that was on the world news) are one of, if not the toughest sell.
 

Bufty

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On 'bullying in schools' is pretty vague. I think a lot would depend on the POV. If the fictional principal (3rd person POV) character were the bullied one who survives against enormous odds it might probably be of more interest than a simple personal recounting of incidents endured or witnessed. Just my twopenneth. It must be something other folks want to read, as opposed to something you want other folk to read.
 
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MOON GODDESS

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Memoir Writing

If you want to write a memoir, then why not do it?
When I'm undecided about how to handle a big project, I sometimes write a page or two using different approaches.
You could try writing it as a true account or as fiction as someone suggested and see which aproach feels better to you.
There is a memoir-writing course for about $80.00 on www.edu2go.com.
I want to write my life story, also, not because I think it's so interesting or will be a best-seller, but just because.
If my other writings ever make me famous, I'll have the memoir part already taken care of! LOL!
 
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