tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post6442077804238715276..comments2023-09-25T02:24:22.087-07:00Comments on Anne R. Allen's Blog: How to Write a Publishable Memoir: 12 Do’s and Don’tsAnne R. Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-26723541898837087532015-11-18T10:32:24.731-08:002015-11-18T10:32:24.731-08:00Wally--Best of luck with your book. A memoir that ...Wally--Best of luck with your book. A memoir that provides inspiration to others is always the best kind! Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-88492542591742571452015-11-18T10:31:34.924-08:002015-11-18T10:31:34.924-08:00Weather--Best of luck with your memoir!Weather--Best of luck with your memoir!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-76940713841046792012015-11-18T10:08:09.282-08:002015-11-18T10:08:09.282-08:00should be WWWALLYS WORLD.Plan to write my book as ...should be WWWALLYS WORLD.Plan to write my book as a True Story.It portrays my life as a severe stutterer,who was bullied,and to this date suffer from depression.I still managed a good life,travelling around the world,luckily obtaing a wonderfull trade as a refrigeration tech.The highlight of my book is that due to serendipity.i overcame my impediment with a unique way.My purpose at the age of 75 is to reveal my findings and help the millions of people that stutter.There is hope Wwwally.WWWAlLLYS WORLDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18374783128359092251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-84285778202233255872015-07-17T16:21:41.664-07:002015-07-17T16:21:41.664-07:00Thank you, and thanks for that helpful advice!Thank you, and thanks for that helpful advice!the Weather in Anorectica https://www.blogger.com/profile/09344283904048150229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-47742911877431220372015-07-17T15:47:15.229-07:002015-07-17T15:47:15.229-07:00Congrats on your new book! With a memoir, you have...Congrats on your new book! With a memoir, you have do deal with people who say "how can you remember exactly what somebody said 20 years ago--how can it all be true?" and if you write a novel, they think everything in it really happened to you.. <br /><br />With a memoir, you can say, "memory is always subjective. This is how I remember it". <br /><br />With a novel you can say. "It's fiction, so it's all a product of my imagination. But of course real life experiences influence where my imagination goes."Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-48528582779337732732015-07-17T15:21:35.989-07:002015-07-17T15:21:35.989-07:00Thank you for this. Do you have a polite and sales...Thank you for this. Do you have a polite and sales-friendly way to say "no comment" when someone asks if a novel is autobiographical? I mean, I don't want to alienate a reader who is looking to bond with an author; however, it really is nobody's business.<br /><br />Did I write a memoir about an anorexia sufferer's journey and the frustrating intricacies of the treatment industry? I don't know. I CAN tell you that I just published a book.the Weather in Anorectica https://www.blogger.com/profile/09344283904048150229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-62471845518714295742015-04-20T19:37:44.450-07:002015-04-20T19:37:44.450-07:00Wendy--Sometimes the best way to write about somet...Wendy--Sometimes the best way to write about something is in fiction rather than confessional pieces and memoir. I find it much easier to do that. I wrote The Gatsby Game about an old boyfriend who died under mysterious circumstances. But by making the story fictional, I didn't have to go places I didn't want to go. (Which wouldn't have added to the story.). <br /><br />And I once read a great piece of advice from playwright Marsha Norman, who wrote the gut-wrenching "Night Mother". She said "You can't write about something until it's over." And that means it has to be over and fully processed for YOU. There still may be things you need to process.<br /><br />And nobody says you have to write about your traumas. Mostly I don't. I've been through a lot of things nobody needs to know about except my family and friends. I think we live in an era of too much information. It's okay to keep something private if you'd prefer to do that. There are lots of other subjects to write about besides trauma.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-23347954014623830872015-04-20T18:31:18.982-07:002015-04-20T18:31:18.982-07:00I've been trying to write my story (teen years...I've been trying to write my story (teen years) for about 10 years now. I had something very traumatic happen to me, it was a very abusive relationship. I couldn't write about the story because the man I was involved with was arrested and later became one of the first charges of it's kind in the country. There was a publication band and I couldn't write about it. But I just learned the other of the man's death. My friends who have read my blog writings and have followed the story are begging for me to write the story and share it because of the topic and because of the media attention the case got early on in investigation before the ban. I'm sitting here torn. I've written most of the story down over the years. Now that the man is dead I'm free to write about the trial (what I know) and him. But how to put this all in one book is overwhelming for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-12538014703408173382014-01-20T10:53:00.889-08:002014-01-20T10:53:00.889-08:00Natalie--If it were me, I wouldn't have the ph...Natalie--If it were me, I wouldn't have the photos because I'm the world's worst photographer :-) But first let me congratulate you on managing to travel around the world. What a great accomplishment and how fun!<br /><br />Trips like yours can often be best done in blog form. That way you can post all the photos and keep the narrative going in a simple linear style. <br /><br />For a book, you need to consider the cost of photos. Big, big bux for print and tough to put in ebooks (Basic Kindles only see black and white) <br /><br />Then you want a story arc. Look at what works in other memoirs. In Eat Pray Love, her arc was finding herself (and love) after a bad breakup. What's your reason for the trip? What thwarted you from accomplishing it? That's the thread that will keep readers turning the pages. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-17179088944772914892014-01-20T10:46:41.278-08:002014-01-20T10:46:41.278-08:00I missed this one Leslie. Sounds as if you'll ...I missed this one Leslie. Sounds as if you'll have a good book! Keeping in mind that it needs to be entertaining is half the battle. Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-22566459017929746722014-01-20T02:21:12.200-08:002014-01-20T02:21:12.200-08:00Hi,
Brilliant advice.
How you would write a tra...Hi,<br /><br />Brilliant advice. <br /><br />How you would write a travel memoir from a year around the world?<br /><br />I can't seem tho chose my narrative style for it or decide whether to make it a travel guide or memory based photo book.<br /><br />NatalieThe Diary of a Primary School Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14925959054554815983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-74256508572223630902014-01-20T02:18:52.765-08:002014-01-20T02:18:52.765-08:00I want to write up my travel memoirs from my year ...I want to write up my travel memoirs from my year around the world. If this was yours memoir how would you write it? Person, theme, style etc? Would you focus on the photo side? NatalieThe Diary of a Primary School Teacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14925959054554815983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-80470830749420012352013-05-02T01:30:55.517-07:002013-05-02T01:30:55.517-07:00Best advice I've heard in a long time! I'm...Best advice I've heard in a long time! I'm one of those medical "cases" (LOL) and I know I have to work extra, extra hard on the entertaining angle (not to the point it shows or is ridiculous, of course! Ha!) but enough that readers stay entertained, my themes shine through, and my message gets across. Quick n' easy... Yeah, right! I'm trying! Thanks for honest, straight-to-ya advice. Much appreciated. -Leslie aka The Healing Redhead The Healing Redheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02262524182841824122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-4455848014673034742013-03-04T08:48:37.020-08:002013-03-04T08:48:37.020-08:00David--Thanks. Most people write autobiography ins...David--Thanks. Most people write autobiography instead of memoir--and autobiography can be pretty dull, even when the subject is wildly famous. Most people prefer to read a story rather than a series of events. So if you can write about one incident instead of a whole lifetime, you're way ahead of the pack.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-21815984864834003442013-03-04T07:06:09.093-08:002013-03-04T07:06:09.093-08:00This blog is great. I'm pleased I discovered i...This blog is great. I'm pleased I discovered it. I had my autobiography, Never Ending Circles, published last August but I had in mind a niche audience which were students. So I was surprised when it became popular with local general readers too. This was partly because they knew me and partly because I had written about things that had effected most people. I'm working on my memoir now and realising that you never stop learning your craft. I am now starting this one with a major incident in my life to grab the reader rather than childhood which I sort of wish I had also done with the auto/bio but its all part of the learning process I suppose. Look forward to more of your posts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03376868606967866387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-32642353895424310832012-07-19T13:41:37.374-07:002012-07-19T13:41:37.374-07:00Anon--He will need to tread carefully. I would cha...Anon--He will need to tread carefully. I would change the names of any character who is likely to take offense and do the Dear Abby trick of saying. "my friend...I'll call him 'Bud' did blankety-blank.."<br /><br />And if he's accusing somebody of criminal activity--even a very long time ago--he's treading on very dangerous ground.<br /><br />Most important, remember that a memoir needs to tell a story, not relate a series of anecdotes, so he might do better with a collection or series of funny stories.<br /><br />I'd advise him to read some of David Sedaris's books and see how he uses funny personal stories in a way that's not libelous. <br /><br />But your husband would probably do well to run things by a lawyer before publishing.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-15779405365371919842012-07-19T13:22:07.700-07:002012-07-19T13:22:07.700-07:00Great article. My husband's life has been biza...Great article. My husband's life has been bizarre journey through various subcultures and the seedier elements of society. Not only has he survived extreme scenarios that most people never encounter, the details are hilarious. He's a natural story teller, but some of the best stories are dependent on the weird cadre of people he has met. He wants to tell his story as a memoir and has no qualms about offending anyone, but being sued for some of the scandalous details is a real concern. How can he tell his story with all the oomph and appeal of "truth" without inviting defamation suits? None of the people involved would ever agree to be included, and while names can be changed, the real stories are too good to fictionalize. Have any advice?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-60301135380656819072012-01-29T09:30:20.492-08:002012-01-29T09:30:20.492-08:00Thanks Emily. Yes, celebrities who don't use g...Thanks Emily. Yes, celebrities who don't use ghosts can put out some pretty unreadable stuff. And it sells anyway :-(Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-67363976522647487452012-01-28T14:19:27.556-08:002012-01-28T14:19:27.556-08:00Some really good tips here, thanks for this Anne. ...Some really good tips here, thanks for this Anne. Thinking of some local celebrities who could have done with this list of does and don'ts lol.Emily Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01707967073095394090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-20794384916321017692012-01-26T11:16:48.590-08:002012-01-26T11:16:48.590-08:00golden--I think ghosting memoirs can be rewardiing...golden--I think ghosting memoirs can be rewardiing. As long as the client understands that most memoirs don't make a lot of money. (People can have grandiose ideas of book profits, if they aren't familiar with the realities of the market.) Good luck. I'm glad this helps.Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-28702630432142058402012-01-24T22:12:01.072-08:002012-01-24T22:12:01.072-08:00Nicely done. Good advice. I have been thinking abo...Nicely done. Good advice. I have been thinking about ghost writing a memoir. This helps. <br />Ciao,<br />Carole<br />http://www.facebook.com/WritingdivineCarole Di Tostihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11831790843436160256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-61796364757497961292012-01-23T10:58:22.199-08:002012-01-23T10:58:22.199-08:00William—LOL. Actually the most successful memoirs,...William—LOL. Actually the most successful memoirs, like Eat Pray Love and Angela’s Ashes aren’t by mega-celebrities, but they are by professional writers and journalists with some stature in the business. It helps to have friends.<br /><br />Rebecca—I think all of us who have taught newbies run into this all too often. It might be good to put this on the board on the first day and keep it there “a crafted memoir is the only one readers want to read.” People love to make lists of unrelated events.<br /><br />Mindprinter—You know whereof you speak. You’ve written some superb personal essays that have found homes in lots of prestigious journals. And I’m still hoping for a screenplay of your story of your friendship with an emperor!<br /><br />Julie—Think screenplay. Seriously. A screenplay is much easier to adapt from a shorter work than a longer one. If you have a great episode in your life to tell about, it might just make a good film. I’ve had the privilege of reading Mindprinter’s article from the African American Journal that I KNOW would make a hell of a movie.<br /><br />Leslie—I love the idea of a graphic novel memoir. Has anybody done that? Cape or no cape, it could be awesome.<br /><br />Fois—Oh, yes. I’m a member of the sex drugs and rock and roll generation too. We were so spoiled, weren't we: no horrible STDs or the TSA molesting us at airports. "Flying into Los Angeleez, bringing in a couple of Keys..." I’m not sure anybody but us wants to read about it now. But damn, it was fun.<br /><br />Donna—Thanks. But never say never. You’ve got a job that provides a lot of fodder for writing.<br /><br />Marnie—Thanks for stopping by. I’m really impressed with your site and your service. A lot of people are dying to tell their life story, but don’t care to learn to become professional writers, and you’re just the one to help them. Although I don’t envy you having to teach them it’s not “wrong” to turn history into something readable.<br /><br />Mari—I love Ruth’s suggestion too. A few decades of aging might be required to make some stories palatable to the general public. (I’m generally not a fan of memoirs either, although every so often one astonishes me.)<br /><br />LK—It sounds as if you’ve hit on a niche audience that will be loyal. Congrats on your success. The travel memoir (or essay) is a very popular form. With people who hope to travel to those place for real, or just in their armchairs.<br /><br />Anne—Very good advice: a memoir doesn’t have to be about you. It’s nice to know your book is a collectible, but I hope you’ll put it in ebook soon so it doesn’t go out of print!Anne R. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420000168356370825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-89130683792661101172012-01-23T08:55:48.857-08:002012-01-23T08:55:48.857-08:00Great detail and advice. I'm forwarding your l...Great detail and advice. I'm forwarding your link to the memoir discussion groups I belong to. <br /><br />I would add that Memoir doesn't have to mean YOUR STORY. Expanding the personal to include the universal will involve more readers in "your" story. <br /><br />Writing BRANCHES ON THE CONEJO taught me the importance <br />of capturing social history. That little book has nearly sold through its 3500 print run and is now on out-of-print book sites for $75.Anne Schroederhttp://anneschroederauthor.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-48306352552462326552012-01-23T08:18:47.750-08:002012-01-23T08:18:47.750-08:00Hi Anne,
My first book is a memoir about my backp...Hi Anne,<br /><br />My first book is a memoir about my backpacking days around Australia. During that year I kept a detailed diary of my experiences, and I thought it would be such a waste if I didn't try to write a book at the end of it. <br />I published my manuscript as an ebook in April last year after having the work edited. I had no idea if I would sell any copies at all, so you can imagine my delight that at 9 months later, I have received several 5 & 4 star reviews from total strangers, most of whom live in America (I live in the UK). I still can't believe that I've created something which other people love and tell me they can't wait for book no. 2 - another memoir about travelling Canada.LK Wattshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09366991733427612418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8385052143211121638.post-90505041212107307532012-01-23T07:51:09.356-08:002012-01-23T07:51:09.356-08:00Excellent post. I'm wary of memoirs, and tend...Excellent post. I'm wary of memoirs, and tend only to read them when my book club insists. (I found eat, pray, love intensely boring and self indulgent.) <br /><br />I love the idea of a memoirist putting several years of distance between the events and the recounting. I'm sure that lessens the "then this happened, then that happened" kind of narrative.Mari Passanantihttp://maripassanantibooks.comnoreply@blogger.com