Writing MemoirRecording your memories

Autobiography , Memoirs Or Memoir?

Autobiography is the story of your whole life.

Memoirs are written by famous people. Memoir is selected incidents from a

person’s life which illustrate a theme.

Why write my memoir?

It’s fashionable.To pass on knowledge. To pass on life skills.To entertain? To give your descendants a glimpse into

your life.

What if I hurt people?

Poison doesn’t need to come out.Don’t use your memoir to settle scores.Remember to portray other points of view. Consider whether it’s worth alienating

yourself.Tell it in another way? It’s often unfair to portray someone

negatively.

Gathering Information

Memory

Research

MemoryJournalsMeditationMeaningful objectsPhotosMake listsCaution: memories can be overwhelming. The positive? That’s what will keep people

enthralled.

Research

Search enginesLocal historical societiesArchivesState libraryLocal library; local librariansBibliographies at the back of a book

Industry journalsShips’ recordsMuseumsUniversity librariesLocal historiesGenealogical societies

Electoral rollsProperty title searchesPhone booksRegistry of births, deaths and marriagesUnmarked gravesCheck the names on neighbouring gravesLawyers’ records; local law society

Police recordsHospital recordsMigration recordsState uni librariesSchool records; school magazinesBooks on historyAustralian war memorial

Cautions

Be sceptical; check a number of sourcesLook at things from a different point of

viewDon’t spend too much time on research

Getting started

Who is this story for?

Who is this story about?

Publishing method?

MainstreamSelf-publishPrint on demandBlogEbookPrivate

VideoAudioPatchworkCD and DVDComputer fileMemory stick or hard drive

The nuts and bolts

Allocate a certain colour to each character and have a file for each.

Divide an A3 into 30 boxes. Each box represents a chapter of 3000

words. The aim is a 90,000-word publishable

memoir. Write passionately.

Your first 10 chapters must introduce your main characters.

Chapters 11 to 30 contain all action and interaction.

Chapters 1 to 20 introduce all questions and problems faced.

Chapters 21 to 30 – no new questions.Chapter 29 and 30 contain the resolution.

Other methods

Write as a series of short stories.

Make up a photo album and then write a short piece about each photo.

Tips

Any good story is like laying a trail of crumbs for a bird.

Write passionately.Follow the emotion.

Where to publish?

Ebook: Smashwords, Amazon, pdfPrint on Demand: Lightning Source,

FeedareadBlogs: Blogspot, WordpressPrint: Digitalprintaustralia, Griffin,

Watson and FergusonAlbums: Digitalprintaustralia, Kmart,

BigW

Covers

Must be professionalSmashwords list for ebooksSearch engine for graphic designersBuy stock photos online

Content

Get a professional editSearch engine for professional editorsProofreadMake sure layout is correctEbook layoutPrint and POD

Conclusion

Follow the passion LaughCry Enjoy