How to Write a Memoir

In my classes right now, we are studying memoirs and William Zinsser’s commentary on writing memoirs. In his essay, “How to Write a Memoir,” Zinsser offers some advice. The four big tenets that we’ve focused on in my class are:

1. Be Yourself

2. Speak Freely

3. Tell Your Truth

4. Think Small

He also gives some very directed advice: sit down at your desk and write daily. Write a memory without the intention of writing a memoir. Write everyday and store those memories. And in three months or six months or however long it takes, take all your writings, look for a common theme, and pull from that your memoir.

As we progress through this unit and I read the memoirs of others, I’m reminded of how much I love memoirs. Some of my favorite books of 2018 were memoirs. I’ve mentioned before just how much I love memoirs. So I’ve decided to take Zinsser’s challenge. I mean; that’s why I have a blog, right? I want to write. I want to be a writer.

So starting today I am challenging myself to write everyday. I may not upload a memory every day, but I invented to be frequent and intentional with my uploads. I intend to share my memories and to force myself back into writing.

Maybe I won’t write a memoir. Maybe I won’t have a single memory worth sharing. But that’s not what matters.

What matters is I tell my story; my true story. I tell the story that’s begging to be told. I don’t need an audience to write. I don’t need permission. I just need to do it.

So prepare for an onslaught of memories. Prepare for a raw and exposed Plucky. Ready or not, here I come.

Yours,
The Plucky Reader