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Excited to dive into the actual writing of an autobiography or memoir?
For a long time, writing a memoir was the province of celebrities, politicians, or anyone with a story to tell.
There is something special about finding time to think and write about someone’s life story. writing a memoir is like writing a novel. they both tell a story, but unlike a novel, a memoir is 100 percent truthful.
However, before you become a writer, you must be a reader. actually there are many books on the art of writing.
Below is a collection of selected books to help you master the craft of writing a memoir.
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top 10 books on how to write a memoir
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1. the art of mary karr memoir
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The Art of Memoirs is an elegant and brilliant exploration of one of today’s most popular literary forms by Mary Karr, three-time award-winning author of best-selling memoirs.
Karr’s take on the subject is a perfect place to start your memoir writing efforts. she is an exceptional genius and a brilliant teacher, and her experience is certainly reflected in this book.
the art of memoir is a theoretical overview of memoir and memoir writing. this book answers why and how an individual embarks on this particular writing project. this is surely one of the best books available on the subject.
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2. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
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Bird for Bird is a modern classic worth reading solely for Anne Lamott’s elegant, moving, and often hilarious prose.
lamott is a brilliant author of several novels and non-fiction books. the book reads like a collection of anecdotes about writing.
The book begins with a simple introduction that describes his lifelong love of books and the influence his father has had on his life and writing. the expression “bird by bird” here means one small step at a time, a principle that the author takes very seriously in her writing.
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3. fearless confessions: a writer’s memoir guide by sue william silverman
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Intrepid Confessions is Sue William Silverman’s guide for veteran and novice writers who want to capture their life experiences in a book, website, or e-book.
This book delves into the intricate details of writing, from first draft to publication and marketing.
has included illustrative examples from many writers and writing exercises to help you navigate the uncharted territories of memoir writing. this is a practical guide that teaches some unique concepts and techniques for writing one’s life story.
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4. Naked, Drunk, and Writing: Get rid of your inhibitions and craft a compelling memoir or personal essay by adair lara
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Naked, Drunk, and written by award-winning author and seasoned columnist, Adair Lara, is a gift to anyone who wants to learn how to write a sensational memoir.
no list of “best books on how to write a memoir” would be complete without lara’s writing guide.
This book is the brilliant culmination of her vast experience as a writer, editor, and teacher. she explains what goes in and what doesn’t in a memory. once she finishes the book, she will know how to write essays and memoirs, how to proofread her work, and how to publish it.
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5. on writing: memoirs of the craft of stephen king
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on writing: a memoir of the trade brilliantly combines memoir writing and storytelling from one of the most successful fiction writers of all time, the legendary Narrator Stephen King.
This is a hands-on view of the writer’s craft, highlighting the key moments that shaped you as an author.
Although it’s not one of his favorite genres, it’s hard not to get carried away by his memories. part memoir, part craft book, it has all the resources and tools writers need to tell a good life story.
This is a must read if you want to write a sensational memoir.
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6. old friend from afar: the practice of writing memoirs by natalie goldberg
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old friend from afar brings a new perspective on memoir writing. teaches writers how to harness their unique memories to tell their stories.
if you have trouble writing a memoir or feel like you don’t have a story to tell, this book by natalie goldberg will pull you out of the doldrums.
Each chapter is a writing exercise, more like a roadmap to start and move forward. As a writer, you gain a solid understanding of your mind and learn to connect with your senses to find the right thoughts to put on paper.
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7. the nonfiction guide: on reading and writing creative nonfiction by robert root
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The Guide to Nonfiction is a must-read for writers and teachers of creative nonfiction.
Now that you know the basics of writing a memoir, this book introduces you to the poetics of nonfiction. robert root points out the many tools of poetry that can be used in other nonfiction.
It is practically labeled as literary non-fiction, but is subdivided into essays, memoirs, literary journalism, and nature and travel narratives. The author discusses the nonfiction motif and offers a lively exploration of the elements of contemporary nonfiction.
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8. writing the memoirs of judith barrington
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The first edition of Writing Memoirs was published in early 1997 and was consistently praised as “one of the best books on writing memoirs.”
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is an uplifting book that sheds light on the personal challenges and ethical dilemmas of writing true stories.
This is a complete beginner’s guide that explains everything you need to get started and gives you that push to keep writing.
judith barrington starts from the basics, like “what is memoir?” and she answers all the questions she’s likely to have as a novice memoirist.
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9. where to go from here by james birren & Linda Feldman
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Where To Go From Here is a guided autobiography that focuses on exploring her life through thought-provoking themes and questions.
This book helps you discover the wisdom of your own life and realize your worth and potential. presents a unique approach to writing one’s life story, earning it a spot on our list of the best books on how to write a memoir.
This book encourages you to take control of your own life so you can move forward into a vital and rewarding future. James Birren teaches you the ability to let go of past fears and see the future as a wonderful opportunity to move on.
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10. the memoir project: a completely non-standardized text to write & amp; life by marion roach smith
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The Memoir Project is a practical resource for beginners looking to write a memoir.
You must have heard so many stories from your mom, dad or grandma. each of them had a unique story to tell, or at least a distinctive point of view on certain tales. but when it comes to telling your own story, words seem sorely lacking.
This book has everything you need to get started. marion roach smith uses a mix of anecdotes and unusual advice to help guide aspiring writers in the right direction.
rarely refers to famous personalities. instead, he uses real-life examples from his existence, particularly from his mother.
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best memories of all time
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Like fiction, memoir does not follow a traditional narrative and there are as many flavors of memoir as there are human experiences.
We’ve rounded up some of the best-selling memories of all time. these real life stories are absolutely revealing.
- educated by tara westover (2018)
- becoming by michelle obama (2018)
- the liars club by mary karr (1995)
- men we reaped by jesmyn ward (2013)
- in the house of dreams: memories of carmen maria machado (2019)
- fierce attachments: memories of vivian gornick
- Heavy: Kiese Laymon’s American Memoir
- Free the Child: The Autobiography of Johnny Marr
- When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
- I’m malala from christina lamb and malala yousafzai
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final thoughts
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Just like an engine has tons of moving parts that work together to power a vehicle, a story has a ton of things that work together to power an autobiography.
Before you start writing a memoir, you should do some background reading and think creatively before moving on. That’s why it’s a good idea to learn from the experts who wrote some of the best books on how to write a memoir.
writing is about learning. and these books are the best guides to prepare you for success in writing a memoir. all of these books serve as stepping stones to everything you need to know to prepare your life story.
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