Even though in modern speech memoir and autobiography seem to mean the same, in fact memoir is a subclass of autobiography. It is a reminiscence of a past experience written creatively for either enjoyment or meaning. For instance, in a memoir of music, I wrote about how music was a significant part of my life, but at the same time music showed my relationship to my mother. Even now, I cannot split the two in my mind. So as I wrote this memoir, I learned why my relationship with my mother was so shaky.
What are the key elements of good memoir writing?
A good memoir contains the same elements you find in good fiction: setting, description, dialogue, and character. The main difference between memoir and fiction besides the "it actually happened factor" is the element of musing.
So, what is musing? Musing is the journey that leads to an epiphany, the "aha" moment. It is not just a memoir about your grandmother, but how as a mature writer you realize that your grandmother was an ordinary person doing extraordinary things whether she was a suffragette or a mother. The epiphany catches you at the moment when you are gardening, rock collecting, or digging outhouses.
The epiphany answers the questions: Why do you do what you do? Did it come from your family or friends? Will you pass it on to your children?
Good subjects for memoir writing
Write a time line of your life. Pick a vivid moment and writing about it. Pull the strings and see where the writing will take you. This moment could be about your parents, your grandparents, or your siblings. It could be about your hobbies or the actions that bring you peace.
Write about it.
Memoirs are your gift to the world.
