How to Begin Writing Your Memoir: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Have you ever considered that your life experiences could resonate deeply with someone else and even change the course of their life? Writing a memoir is a beautiful and powerful way to share your unique story, and the process itself can be incredibly rewarding.
Why Write a Memoir?
Memoirs allow you to reflect on specific themes, personal growth, challenges, and insights. Unlike an autobiography, which chronicles your life from birth to the present, a memoir focuses on particular moments and themes, providing readers with an intimate and reflective narrative.
Getting Started
Many aspiring authors ask me how to begin writing their memoirs. It’s an excellent question. I love working one-on-one with authors, helping them uncover and articulate their stories. However, I understand that it sometimes takes time to figure out what you want to say before you connect with a mentor or coach.
Introducing the Memoir Journey Journal
To assist in this initial phase of self-discovery and narrative development, I created the "Memoir Journey Journal." This journal is designed to guide you through the process of memoir writing with 100 carefully crafted prompts divided into five parts, followed by my Memoir Mind Map™.
What Makes This Journal Unique?
Unlike many journals that prompt you to share chronological accounts of your life, the Memoir Journey Journal helps you reflect on specific themes and experiences. It focuses on personal growth, challenges, and insights, providing an intimate and reflective narrative.
How It Works
Reflect on Themes: The prompts will help you navigate your unique stories and determine which ones convey your overarching theme.
Create Your Chapter Outline: By the time you’ve completed the journal, you’ll have all you need to create your chapter outline—a road map through the writing process. This outline is often the most daunting aspect, but once you have it, everything else flows naturally.
Available Formats
The Memoir Journey Journal is available in coil-bound, paperback, or interactive PDF download. You can purchase it here: Memoir Journey Journal.
A Journey and an Adventure
The word ‘journal’ is derived from the French word ‘journee,’ which translates to ‘day’s journey.’ That’s exactly what this process is—a journey, an adventure into your soul.
Weekly Writing Prompt
When was the last soul-filled adventure you experienced? This could be a week-long vacation or an afternoon curled up in your reading nook, losing yourself in a summer read. Reflect on how you felt before, during, and after your adventure. What did you learn about yourself through the process? How did it change you, and where do you want to go next?
Let's Connect
I love the memoir writing process and deeply respect each author I have the honor of working with. It can feel daunting, even overwhelming at times, but I’m here to help. Email me if you’d like to start a one-on-one conversation about the process, the culture of the publishing industry, or anything else you may have in mind.