What's a good book on (how to) writ(ing) memoirs?

Old Hack

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It depends on the memoir, and on the writer.

The most useful way to learn to write memoirs is to read them. Read a lot of memoirs. See what works for you, and what doesn't.

What are three great memoirs that you've read in the last few months?
 

satyesu

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Ha ha I'm trying to figure out what I​need to read.... xD
 

Siri Kirpal

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There are good how-to books out by Tristine Ranier and Bill Roorbach. Tristine's talks more about overall structure, and Bill's talks more about things like essays, and he gives more exercises. Bill's has some stuff about publishing that's out of date, but it's good otherwise.

As for memoirs to read, that depends on what type of memoir you're interested in.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal
 

cornflake

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Ha ha I'm trying to figure out what I​need to read.... xD

What memoirs interest you? Read those first, but you need to read a lot of them, of various stripes.
 

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Ha ha I'm trying to figure out what I​need to read.... xD

What sort of memoir are you hoping to write? What sort of subject? Have a look and see what other similar writers are doing.

I've recently read When We Were Sisters, by Sheila Kohler; The Trauma Cleaner, by Sarah Krasnostein; When I Hit You, by Meena Kandasamy; and A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas (I think I've got all those names right). All are really good. Not all are memoirs, exactly, but they're all good examples of their form.
 

satyesu

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I want to write about my transition from religious conservative to atheist centrist; depressed, obsessive-compulsive teen->recovery from brain injury (suicide attempt)->college drop-out-> supported living->(almost) independent; and just my philosophical development and general maturation. Would anyone suggest something(s) similar?
 

Siri Kirpal

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The Spiral Staircase by Karen Armstrong is the story of a nun who became an atheist.

Blessings,

Siri Kirpal