Finding Good Memoir Topics
While working a creative nonfiction class, so many of the students complained that they didn't have anything to write about. Nothing interesting had ever happened to them, they had a boring life. Oftentimes, these students had some of the most interesting stories to share, they just weren't able to recognize the experiences they'd had, and to identify them as good memoir topics. Here's a short list of general things that might have happened in your life that serve as a great jump off point for a memoir.
Health Issues
Have you ever had any serious illness that might have altered your life or changed the path you were going down? Did someone you love suffer from something that required you to take care of them, and possibly change their life for good? These issues can cover the gamut, from mental health issues like depression and schizophrenia to physical ailments. A great example of this type of memoir is Divided Minds, a story of twin sisters, one with schizophrenia, the other a psychiatrist.
How a Goal was Achieved
Some of the best stories come from the achievement of our goals. When you set your sights on doing something, it's a tremendous journey going from the first steps towards finally reaching your dreams. Climbing Mount Everest, or losing fifty pounds. Everyone has their own dreams and many of these stories can make for great memoirs. People love to hear the uplifting journey of success, and potentially find themselves inspired by other people's tales.
Affect of an Important Event
How did something big change your life? Even something small. During our journeys in life, we find ourselves taking detour after detour for a variety of reasons. Every detour makes for a new story, as every detour defines who we are. Everything from a car crash to a divorce, these events make for great stories. Think about what has led you to become who you are, and try and bring that into writing.
Experience in an Occupation
Think Presidential Memoirs here. Have you ever worked in a profession, and have a lot of stories surrounding your time there? These don't have to be entirely serious either, as some great comedic memoirs arise from experiences in a workplace. Imagine the movie Office Space as a memoir, or the fiction book Post Office being a memoir. Every job offers a ton of great opportunities like this, if you know how to look at it properly.
In the end, deciding on a topic for a memoir is largely about introspection. What has made you who you are today? Think about these steps in your journey, and try and capture them in your writing.
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Getting your memoir published can be a challenge. Some agents look at memoirs in the same context as fiction while others review it like non-fiction. Here is some information on how to get your memoir published.
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Before you start writing your own memoir, it is important to see how the pros do it. These memoirs are good examples of how you can make a memorable memoir.