Memoir How To | Story Elements
This memoir how to will break down story elements that should be included in your writing. Memoir examples and story suggestions will help get you started as a memoirist.
What is Memoir?
Definition of Memoir
Memoir is a sub-catagory of the Autobiography/Biography genre. It differs from the traditional arc of an autobiography/biography that encompasses the chronological events of one's entire life.
Memoir narrows and focuses on a specific time period, event or people in one's life instead of covering an entire lifetime. Childhood, teen years, career, marriage/divorce, illness, spiritual quests and so on are often the theme of a memoir.
Writing Memoir
Select -- Focus -- Reduce -- Write
is the mantra for writing memoir.
Memoir Writing References
Some of My Favorites...
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Tarcher -
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Harper Paperbacks -
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Da Capo Press -
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Mariner Books -
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Writers Digest Books -
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What's in a Story?
Does it Keep Your Attention?
In my Sultan Elementary School 5th grade history class, we were assigned to read two biographies of famous Americans and then write a book report about each. I chose Benjamin Franklin and Dolly Madison.
It took me weeks to read the book about ole Ben. Sure it had interesting quotes and tidbits about Franklin but it read like a police report -- Just the Facts Ma'am! It was great reading just before bed -- put me out like a light.
The second book about Dolly Madison, I read in two days. The author told the "story" of her life. It had a begining, middle and end just as a traditional story does. The facts were all there but intricately woven thoughout the story. I absorbed facts about her without even realizing.
I got an "A" on that book report.
The moral of that anecdote is in order to keep a readers attention you need to write a traditional story with traditional story elements not just the facts -- that's what spreadsheets are for.
Story Elements
Must Haves for Memoir Writers
Stories should contain a beginning, middle and end -- or to borrow from Shakespeare -- Act I, Act II and Act III.
The elements of a story within this format should go something like this:
- Beginning - Inciting event and desire of protagonist ("you" in memoir)
- Middle - Problems and obstacles resulting from number one and leading to a crisis
- End - Climax and resolution or realization
This is a simplistic view but accurate nonetheless.
The bottom line is in memoir, just like fiction, the protagonist (you) must grow and/or change or there is no basis for a story.
The growth/change can be emotional or physical -- doesn't matter -- just has to be there or there is no story.
As simple as that! :D
Are You a Writer?
Be Proud!
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Example using a Fairytale
English Teachers Technique
One of my English professors always started her creative writing classes the same way -- with a fairytale. You break it down, analyze it and then write your own story following the story guidelines of the fairytale.
This has been done more than a few times but it is still the best example of elements in a traditional story... so here goes!
Cinderella
Beginning --
- Inciting Event -- Father dies and Cinderella is left in the charge of her stepmother. She is made to wear rags and do all the household chores including waiting on her stepfamily hand and foot.
- Desire -- Her desire is to escape this way of life.
Middle --
- Obstacles/Problems--
- Invitation to the Ball arrives.
- Cinderella wants to attend but is told she can't.
- She continues to wish and dream of going to the ball while completeing her daily chores.
- Her stepsisters leave for the Ball.
- A fairy Godmother appears and decks Cinderella out for the Ball complete with transportation and a warning -- Midnight.
- Cinderella arrives at the ball, dances with the Prince and races away at midnight leaving behind a glass slipper.
- Crisis Point -- Prince announces he will marry whomever fits the shoe.
End --
- Climax -- The stepsisters try to force the shoe on their feet to no avail.
- They laugh when the footman suggests Cinderella try.
- The shoe fits Cinderella.
- Resolution -- She marries the Prince and trades her slavery lifestyle for that of a Princess. They live happily ever after.
Learn by Example -- Memoir
Putting Example to Practice
Now, apply the elements of the fairytale anaysis above to a time period or event in your life. Write an outline.
To begin writing your story, follow the outline you made and add details, dialog, settings and all the other fiction techniques used in good memoirs.
Congratulations, you have just written a short memoir.
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Do you write memoir?
You're welcome Theresa! I fixed the typo (thanks for that) and I am glad you were inspired. Memoir is a wonderful genre and who better to write about your life than you. Go for it!! :D
p.s. Love the saying on the magnet "Careful-or you'll end up in my novel" OMG that one is GOOD!
p.p.s. one tiny little typo....in the Story Elements Module, "...but accuate nonetheless." Possibly you have already corrected it before I can post this comment :)