Comments on: Memoir Writing Tips

By: Heidi Siefkas

Heidi Siefkas — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 20:22:14 +0000

Yes, I feel that you should write for yourself first. I never showed my first draft to my friends and family. I went to writing/reviewers that weren’t involved in the story well before I let my family and friends read even a second or third draft.

With a memoir or any writing for that matter, you will never please everybody. I decided to take my turn at diva status as writer, director and star. I’ll please many, but not all.

By: Pamela OBrien

Pamela OBrien — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 13:38:57 +0000

It was interesting to read that you did not show your memoir initially to family or friends. I am from a family of published writers, and I made the mistake of showing the opening chapters of my memoir to the one whose writing I have the most respect for. The result was discouragement and a kind of writer’s block that I have not overcome. I did re-tool the opening, as I agreed with the writer who provided me with feedback. Having exposed myself to a completely negative, albeit subjective assessment, I was unable to “correct” what I saw as its shortcomings, and made matters much worse by fleshing out my rationale for including experiences in an attempt to give the piece more structure. So think twice before making this error that may, as it did in my case, lead to abandonment of all writing projects. At my age, 68, and not in the best of health, that was a risky decision.

By: Heidi Siefkas

Heidi Siefkas — Sat, 06 Sep 2014 12:09:47 +0000

Mahalo all! Writing is a very personal experience. Although my time has been mostly in non-fiction, I do believe that there is a lot of reliving of emotions in fiction as well. I think there is a lot of truth in fiction or non-fiction in fiction. Don’t you?

By: Linda Strader

Linda Strader — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 16:51:22 +0000

This is truly amazing. What you wrote here is almost exactly what I went through. Not just in the difficulties of writing a memoir, but your life. At first I left out uncomfortable details that made the story real. Then I decided they must be in there. I can relate to every single thing event you wrote about here, except being published. I’m not there yet, but hope to be someday. Thank you for reminding me its my story, and yes, not everyone will like it. But some will. And that will make it all worthwhile.

By: Heidi Siefkas

Heidi Siefkas — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 15:37:41 +0000

It’s a personal journey where you rediscover past pain as well as ultimate joy. Remember you will reap the benefits when you feel your book under your fingertips.
Here’s to looking up!

By: Tendai Garwe

Tendai Garwe — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 19:16:20 +0000

Thank you do much for the encouragement, this had been very helpful. writing a memoir is indeed a journey on its own. knowing that I am normal to experience Al these emotions is great.

By: LaTanya Davis

LaTanya Davis — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 23:50:07 +0000

For me, reliving my past is the most difficult part of writing my memoir too. Emotionally, we are wherever we were when we experienced the pain, which is not a pleasant place to be, but we have to re-experience in order to tell our story. Thank you for sharing this post.