Memoir

Memoir

Storytelling at its Finest!

What's your Story?

Memoir -- What is this?

A memoir is a personal narrative where YOU are the main character!

Write about a significant snapshot/moment in your life where you learned something, changed your perspective about something, gained appreciation/respect for something ... etc.

This moment can be amazing, horrible, surprising, embarrassing, etc. Choose only ONE moment and "explode" that moment, then reflect on its significance.

Memoir Brainstorming Tips:

1. Find a emotional memory

2. EXPLODE the MOMENT--fill in creative details even if you don't remember everything.

Think sensory images: What do you see, hear, feel, taste, touch?

3. Be specific: how do you react/what do you think in this moment?

Crafting a Memoir (HOW to write one)

• Start with dialogue/hook your reader into the MIDDLE of the action right away; SAID is DEAD

• Include emotion by showing (not telling!) what the characters say, think, and do

• Mix dialogue with description to keep the reader interested and reveal the scene

• Don't try to cover too much time--this is ONE moment that impacted you. Show the moment then reflect on it in the closing.

Memoir Organization

• Introduction: Hook with dialogue in the middle of action/conflict

• Body: reveal the backstory or describe the moment with sensory details and emotions; YOU are one of the main characters so include your thoughts, feelings, fears, etc.

• Closing: Wrap up your moment by thinking back on it--reflect on what you learned, how it changed you, whether or not you want to experience it again (why/why not). Is there a "takeaway" you have gained after going through this moment?

Memoir: Self and Peer Editing/Revising

• Did I choose one emotional moment and include sensory images?

• Did I include dialogue without using SAID for the dialogue tag (he SAID/she SAID)?

• Did I reflect on the experience and reveal what I learned or how I changed as a result of the moment?

• Did I proofread for punctuation, capitals, quotes in the right places?