I have thought about writing a memoir. I went through quite a bit the last few years and although it isn’t to necessarily make a big deal of it, I would like to share so as to help someone else who might be going through the same thing.
What makes a good memoir?
How far back do you go?
How much detail should there be?
I have read many different pieces on how to write a memoir but I still can’t grasp how to do it. I figured I would ask for some opinions and feedback. I guess I should also read a few more memoirs to get a feel for them. Does anyone have a suggestion to any that are particularly compelling?
Stine Writing 
I highly recommend reading/buying the book The Situation and the Story by Vivian Gornick: https://www.amazon.com/Situation-Story-Art-Personal-Narrative/dp/0374528586
It will really help you understand how to structure a memoir.
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I tell a lot of stories from my chidhood, and while that technically isn’t memoir (I guess), it’s the closest thing I can think of to it. Remember, a memoir is *your* story, how *you* remember it. That doesn’t mean out-and-out lie about the details or casually leave out facts that might paint you in a better light, but again, you’re telling your story. And if people challenge you on it, tell them t write their own damn memoir…
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Thanks John!
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A good read that many overlook when writing memoirs – Try the autobiography by Will & Ariel Durant:
https://search.brave.com/search?q=Will%20%26%20Ariel%20Durant%3A&source=ios
—————————————— https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Durant
Will Durant conceived of philosophy as total perspective or seeing things sub specie totius (i.e. “from the perspective of the whole”)—a phrase inspired by Spinoza ‘s sub specie aeternitatis , roughly meaning “from the perspective of the eternal “.[2] He sought to unify and humanize the great body of historical knowledge , which had grown voluminous and become fragmented into esoteric specialties, and to vitalize it for contemporary application .[3]
The Durants were awarded the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1968 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977.
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I have no insights other than the opinion that memoirs that read as a confidential conversation with the reader are compelling.
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That’s a new way to look at it, thanks
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