| Far too often I have found myself reading | | | | would make interesting reading in whatever order |
| through memoirs that would be excellent if it | | | | you think of them. Once you have done that, |
| weren't for one problem. That problem is the fact | | | | order what you have written chronologically and |
| that the authors clearly hadn't planned their | | | | then remove the stories that you feel are not |
| memoirs and had instead rushed straight into the | | | | absolutely necessary for your memoir. |
| writing of their works. Although the content | | | | Finally, you need to start "fleshing out" the stories |
| contained within usually is good, the structure of | | | | that you have come up with. This is quite a |
| these pieces of writing lets the entire memoir | | | | difficult but rewarding part of writing a memoir |
| down. In order to prevent those who are new to | | | | and is absolutely vital if you want to write a good |
| memoir writing from making the same mistake, I | | | | one. Begin with the first notable event that |
| have decided to share the most important step in | | | | occurred in your life and jot down the details of |
| memoir writing - effective planning and drafting. | | | | the event, why it was so important and how it |
| By following the basic steps which act almost as a | | | | affected your life for better or for worse. Ensure |
| template, it is hard to go wrong. | | | | that every event has a beginning, middle and end |
| The first phase of planning a memoir is deciding | | | | and that you don't embellish/exaggerate any of |
| your target audience. You need to decide | | | | the information you are writing down. Once this |
| whether you are writing for friends, family | | | | step has been completed you can start the |
| members and other people who are close to you | | | | process of actually writing your memoir knowing |
| or whether you want to release your memoir to | | | | that you have a complete draft/plan that will help |
| the general public. If you are simply writing for | | | | you structure your writing. |
| close relations then you will be able to use a more | | | | By effectively and consistently planning your work |
| informal, intimate writing style. However, for | | | | you will find the memoir writing process much |
| those of you who wish to have your memoir go | | | | easier. Use the steps shown above as a basic |
| public you will need to deliver more in terms of | | | | template for your writing to help you overcome |
| style and action. | | | | problems such as writer's block. Drafting and |
| Next, comes one of the more time consuming | | | | planning is easily one of the most important |
| aspects of writing a memoir, choosing the stories | | | | phases of writing a memoir and once this |
| that you wish to tell. You should begin by jotting | | | | technique has been mastered your writing will |
| down any experiences in your life that you feel | | | | improve massively! |