PERSONAL MEMOIR, NOT THE OTHER KIND

Personal memoir says, “Too few people take the time to explore themselves thoroughly.”

Unless you’re married.

Then it’s too little exploring, too much exploring, what’s with all this exploring, what are you, a narcissist?

Funny you’d ask.

Of all the mishaps, accidents, and wonder I’ve written about, I try not to leave out the bigger picture of:

My f#ck up won’t be your f#ck up if you prepare properly.

“And here’s how.”

(I try not to use ‘fuck’ on boomerpdx because it’s offensive if used wrong, so let’s get that fucking straight.)

One piece of writing advice to ignore:

“Think of the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you, or that you’ve done. That’s what an audience wants.”

However, based on the the most read piece I’ve written, it’s true.

What’s more embarrassing than a chatty naked guy in a gym locker room?

The Too Personal Kind

What we do know is that everyone has a story to tell.

Some use fiction so they can lie about who inspired what.

“It’s not about you.”

“You said you’d never write about me, about us.”

“It’s not about you, or us.”

“Make sure it’s not because you’re a shitty writer and I don’t want any association.”

“Thanks for the wind in my sails, Honey. Did you write our grocery list.”

“At least one of us is a productive writer.”

“That’s it. Yes, it’s about you, about us, and it’s my story. If you wanted a better role you should have behaved better. You could start now. And don’t forget laundry soap on the list.”

“Check. Looks like I won’t have to put balls on the list today.”

“Check. I’ll be in the car. Lock the front door. Bring the balls in your purse.”

The Personal Part Of Memoir

I’m currently sitting on a personal memoir I’ve had professionally edited.

It’s gone through three passes from two different readers, along with all of their notes.

They did a good job. I am satisfied with their work.

The unsatisfying part is my work.

You wouldn’t believe the amount of time it takes to review, rewrite, reread, redo, and repeat.

It’s a writers’ thing. Every cohesive sentence becomes an extended part of a new biography, or autobiography.

In other words, I’m stuck with a huge manuscript too large for the genre, but too good to quit on.

Using the memoir format means exploring a section of your life, not the whole thing.

My stumbling block is including earlier experiences that create informed decisions.

I like to call it ‘Bending Time.’

Every writer dreams of being a better time-bender / storyteller.

Call it the “Ah Ha” moment when you solve the writer’s puzzle.

What is that puzzle?

How to get readers to turn the page, and the next page, to the last page.

Puzzle solved.

Next?