Why Memoirists Are Their Own Worst Enemies

Summary

The article discusses the challenges memoirists face when writing their life stories, emphasizing the importance of overcoming self-doubt, honing storytelling skills, addressing concerns about others' reactions, and confronting painful memories to share their valuable experiences.

Abstract

Writing a memoir is a daunting task that many aspire to but struggle with due to various internal and external obstacles. Memoirists often doubt the significance of their stories and their ability to narrate them effectively. The article suggests that while these concerns are common, they should not prevent one from sharing their unique perspective and lessons learned. It advises potential memoirists to focus on the theme of their life story, to consider taking writing courses to improve their narrative skills, and to write with honesty and depth about the people in their lives, despite potential backlash. The article also acknowledges the emotional toll of revisiting the past but encourages writers to persevere, as their stories have the power to resonate with and impact readers.

Opinions

Self-Doubt: The article posits that questioning the value of one's own story is a major hurdle for memoirists, yet it asserts that every life story is inherently important and can be compelling if written with sincerity and focus.
Storytelling Skills: It is believed that even those without a background in writing can craft a powerful memoir by learning the basics of storytelling, which can be acquired through courses or dedicated study.
Concerns About Others: The article recognizes the common fear of offending family members or friends but advises that as long as characters are portrayed with depth and fairness, these concerns should not impede the writing process.
Procrastination: It is suggested that delaying the writing of a memoir often stems from a reluctance to face difficult truths or memories, but the article encourages writers to push through this discomfort to ensure their story is told.
Emotional Resilience: The process of writing a memoir can be emotionally challenging, but the article emphasizes that it is a necessary step in sharing one's journey and the wisdom gained from it.

Why Memoirists Are Their Own Worst Enemies

No one said it would be easy, but seriously?

Photo by Hanna Grace for Unsplash

Have you decided to write a memoir? Do you believe you have something to tell the world that they really need to know about your life?

Then, you need to get over yourself and sit down and write. What is getting in your way? I’ll tell you. It isn’t easy, no one said it would be. However, here are some guidelines that may help you get started.

Why Memoirists Are Their Own Worst Enemies

You Doubt Your Story– So many people who think about writing a memoir question the value of their story. They wonder if they are important enough. It is legitimate, but they need to know that everyone’s life and the story is important and worthwhile. It’s all about how you write our story and your feelings about it. Once we learn to narrow the focus of our memoir, we are well on the way to being able to get it down. Ask yourself these questions;

You Doubt Your Storytelling Abilities — Very often people who want to write a memoir are not necessarily writers, hence the hesitation. How to fix this? Taking a good fiction writing course can help. When you get the basics down, the writing will come more easily.

You Keep On Putting It Off — Do you have a burning story to tell, but you keep on relegating this task to a future date. Often this is because we don’t want to deal with painful truths of the past. This is tough stuff to be sure. Putting it down on paper, so to speak, can bring back painful memories. Yet, if you want to tell your story, you need to get over it. If you can’t put it aside, no one will ever know your story. Get it straightened out and write it.

Stop judging yourself. No one is perfect and we have important lessons to share. Get started.