| Whether you dream of being a super-star author, | | | | life together fittingly. Mentioning something, for |
| or just wish to share your reflections with people | | | | example, about the Vietnam War or another |
| in your inner circle, the experience of memoir | | | | high-visibility situation? Well, make sure you have |
| writing is essentially the same. So while you're | | | | everything airtight in terms of the year and all the |
| writing your memoirs, be careful to avoid these | | | | tell-tale signs associated with it. This is especially |
| five, big traps. Any one of them can turn your | | | | important if you're planning to publish your work: |
| book or fun writing project into a work you'll | | | | your credibility depends on it. Publishers' reps and |
| regret -- a back-end nightmare. | | | | editors seem to leap at opportunities such as this |
| #1 Memoir Writers Mistake: Not Making "Um" the | | | | to catch writers making a timeline faux pas. Don't |
| Word | | | | let something you can easily research online or by |
| If you want the very best fodder for your | | | | telephone prevent you from securing the book |
| memoirs, you may not be able to stay "mum" | | | | deal of your dreams. |
| about that great occurrence twenty years ago. | | | | #4 Memoir Writers Mistake: Writing Too Much |
| But maybe you should at least stay "um" about it. | | | | Beef |
| In other words, do what's necessary to well | | | | Some of the best-known memoir book writers |
| disguise the names and characteristics of friends | | | | have had their hands slapped hard for beefing-up |
| and relatives you're mentioning in your book. | | | | their stories. Augusten Burroughs's own mother |
| Particularly if you're not writing about them in a | | | | challenged the veracity of his best-seller, "Running |
| flattering light... There are relatives who'll feel | | | | With Scissors. The knuckles of James Frey were |
| betrayed that you've divulged family secrets; | | | | rapped by no less than Oprah Winfrey, whose |
| there are friends who may stop speaking to you | | | | book club once whole-heartedly endorsed his |
| if mention an embarrassment from decades ago | | | | best-selling book "A Million Little Pieces." There's a |
| you thought they'd gotten past. You can tell it, | | | | fine line between fabricating and taking ethical |
| but you needn't effectively include everything but | | | | creative license. You've got to tell a compelling |
| their home phone number in your manuscript. | | | | story, but if you feel you may be crossing the |
| #2 Memoir Writers Mistake: Bleeding On the Page | | | | line, it's best to back away. Follow that thread of |
| A memoir writer's life can be emotionally draining. | | | | storytelling elsewhere and moderate. |
| This work can leave you heaving in tears. The | | | | #5 Memoir Writers Mistake: "Outing" Yourself |
| range of possible emotions that can trigger these | | | | Friends and parents aside, once your work is |
| watershed moments? Writing about the good | | | | published, more people than you realize may |
| times, which may put you too in touch with | | | | become privy to certain aspects of your own |
| what's missing right now in your life. Writing about | | | | persona - the good, the bad and the ugly. Your |
| a relative you've lost, and suddenly achingly | | | | children and grandchildren may someday see your |
| missing their presence. You name it, it can turn on | | | | work, too. Of particular concern should be |
| the waterworks. You may start thinking this trip | | | | potential readers with whom you have a vested |
| down Memory Lane is too painful to continue. But | | | | interest. Think about it: Does your boss need to |
| don't stop! The tears mean you're learning and, | | | | know you're a swinger? Should your next door |
| like a plant being watered, are growing. So keep | | | | neighbor read all about your life as a cult |
| going and perhaps write about these powerful | | | | member? Is it helpful for your beloved brother to |
| moments, too. | | | | learn you secretly had a crush on his girlfriend of |
| #3 Memoir Writers Mistake: Not Watching the | | | | a decade ago? Ultimately, peoples' reactions to |
| Dates | | | | your work can hurt you. So use good judgment |
| Be sure to create a timeline along with your | | | | about which anecdotes you publish - and assume |
| chapter outline, to put the puzzle pieces of your | | | | a pen name for anonymity if you must! |