WRITING
Memoir Writing: Finding Inspiration
Tips ‘n Tricks That Can Help When You’re Facing a Blank Screen
Originally posted in The Art of Memoir by KiKi Walter, March 27, 2022.
I’ve been asked many of the same questions over the years about my writing process, particularly when it comes to sharing such intimate, personal stories.
How can you remember that far back?
How do you remember things in such great detail?
Are your stories really true?
When is your book coming out?
I believe there is an innate curiosity about the memoir genre from writers and non-writers alike. I’m well aware that memoir is looked down on by some — or rather, misunderstood in that the genre seems to have a reputation for being self-absorbed, light, “glorified journal writing,” and the worst one of all, “why would anyone think their life is interesting enough to write about?”
If you think about it, memoir is a bit like the stand-up comedy of writing.
It’s raw, personal, and leaves you even more vulnerable because you are your main character. It’s like you are standing on stage telling stories of your life to an audience who went into the club with two intentions: to…
