Making Meaning of Your Memories

There’s something about spring—maybe it’s the longer days or the fresh breeze through open windows—that makes us want to tidy up. But spring cleaning isn’t just for your closet or kitchen. If you're writing a memoir, this is the perfect season to clean up your creative process, too.

Memoir writing ...

Writing about your faith for the first time can feel like standing on the edge of something tender and holy. You have a story—a moment of awakening, a stretch of wilderness, a quiet transformation—and something in you wants to put words to it. Maybe it’s for your journal. Maybe for your memoir. Or m...

You know the feeling.

You're standing in a room full of half-unpacked boxes, random objects scattered everywhere—a lamp on the floor, papers in piles, a chair draped in laundry, and zero idea where your water bottle went.

Welcome to Scattered Brain Syndrome.

Okay, it’s not an official diagnosis, ...

Writing a memoir is one of the most courageous things you can do. You’re not just telling a story—you’re telling your story, with all its raw, messy, beautiful truths. And if that feels terrifying, you’re not alone.

Every memoirist I’ve ever worked with has faced fear in some form. Fear of what oth...

When you sit down to write your memoir, you’re not just telling a story—you’re inviting readers into your life. How you frame that invitation matters, and two critical choices will shape how your story is experienced: verb tense and point of view (POV). These decisions may seem small, but they profo...

Writing a memoir is about more than recounting memories; it’s about bringing readers into your world and letting them experience your pivotal moments firsthand. Many memoir writers struggle with “showing” rather than “telling” their most powerful memories. This requires a careful balance of authenti...

As the year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to reflect on your memoir-writing journey and take intentional steps to wrap up 2024 on a high note. Whether you're aiming to complete your first draft, refine your manuscript, or simply organize your writing materials, the final weeks of the year ...

When I was in college, my Aunt Ruth and Uncle Glen invited me for a fireside dinner in their living room every year at Christmastime. We’d eat by candlelight and listen to a recording of Dylan Thomas reading his timeless classic, A Child’s Christmas in Wales. (You can listen to a different narrator'...

Memoir writing is more than recounting events; it’s about uncovering the deeper truths of how those events shaped you. As memoirists, we dig through the raw material of our lives, not just to relive the past, but to understand it, learn from it, and share our hard-won wisdom with others.

Marion Roa...

If you’re gearing up for a writing sprint like my 30-day memoir writing challenge, preparation can be the key to making the most of your dedicated writing sprint. Whether you're just getting started on a memoir or picking up where you left off on your book, here are eight essential tips to help you ...

Every life is a story waiting to be told. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting to explore the idea of documenting your life, one of the most powerful ways to begin is by mapping the story arc of your life. Understanding the narrative of your experiences can provide the foundation you ne...

Do you have an idea for a book you want to write about your life? Before you begin, it's essential to determine which type of personal narrative suits your story best—autobiography or memoir. While these genres both involve writing about one's life, they differ significantly in focus and approach. L...