What the Best Memoirs Have in Common: Tips for Writing Your Story

Рет қаралды 86,320

Күн бұрын

Bonus Gift: "Choosing Themes for Your Memoir" - bit.ly/2SkA2Kp
More than half the authors I work with are writing their own stories. Whether for their heart, their art, or in hopes of becoming a bestseller, Life is asking for their experience to make it to the page and into the world.
Alas, too often these aspiring memoirists get pretty far down the path of writing without understanding the two things that take a memoir from “good” to “great.”
I don’t want this to be you! I want you to find enthusiastic readers for your book-and that means you need to know these two secrets that all the best memoirs have in common.
That’s why I’ve put this video lesson together for you. You’ll learn:
• The difference between a true memoir and a chronicle of events
• What it takes to win readers who don’t already know you
• How to bring your story to life in a way that keeps the pages turning
• A practical writing exercise to help you on your way
Plus, at the end of the video I show you five of my favorite memoirs. These five books exemplify just what I’m talking about. Read them, and you’ll get a visceral experience of what I’m hoping to see in your book!
If you’re writing your story, I hope you’ll watch this video and take it to heart.
Bonus Gift: "Choosing Themes for Your Memoir" - bit.ly/2SkA2Kp
For more information and to have a free call with a real live book editor, visit us at knliterary.com

Пікірлер: 349

@lauryb Жыл бұрын

"The book you were born to write needs to be in the world". 😭❤️

@floeybaybeh Жыл бұрын

I love this too! I get goosebumps at the mention of this line!

@patrynaswritings7617 Жыл бұрын

So true and beautiful said thanks for sharing

@michaelpetronzio6557 2 жыл бұрын

I’m writing a memoir about forgiving my dad even though who abused me . It also talks about the challenges of going to a inpatient hospital at 12 and group home at 14

@streetwyzewiththeallens414 2 жыл бұрын

I have transitioned from male to female had regrets than transitioned back ! My story is incredible writing about my detransition has not only helped me heal but gave me hope for life I’m so excited to share my story !

@Amy-ms6wj Жыл бұрын

I'd personally love to hear your story..❤️

@patrynaswritings7617 Жыл бұрын

Wow, your story sounds interesting. I'm so happy you turned this negative experience into a positive.

@karmataylor Жыл бұрын

I’m definitely interested

@2008betwixt Жыл бұрын

Fantastic it's great to see this side of it all. Have you published it yet?

@miameyer5277 Жыл бұрын

Yup I’d love to read your journey and feel it with you.

@sandyspady6498 2 жыл бұрын

Great information!! Love it!! I would love a call to discuss my memoir, and involves another person that is very powerful and will do nothing more than to squash me like an ant. But I feel like I need to share my story so I can help women leave powerful man. Safely

@sssnipermonkey5566 4 жыл бұрын

The memoir I’m writing about is about a broken heart, manipulation, drugs, jail, success, failures, sex, lies, getting kicked out the military (love), house arrest, mental depression, finding God, and much more. I had the blessing to read “Educated” by Tara West and she inspired me to write book. The problem is I’m uneducated, a hispanic male, and broke. Just finished my first draft of 59 pages.... this is the beginning of my shame and humiliation. When I write (specifically memoir) I end up crying, drinking, or sleeping more than usual. I need help writing my memoir.

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

Getting your story out can be the biggest challenge! We would love to help with your memoir! Your first initial phone call with an editorial matchmaker is absolutely free. They will gather details about your specific project and provide directions for next steps. Here is the link to schedule a call: knliterary.com/schedule/

@Sindollx666x 3 жыл бұрын

Best of luck to you. Fight club might be a good inspiration for you as a film reference. But as memoir and also a film, maybe Basketball Diaries. Also Nicki Sixx's Heroin Diaries and possibly Motley Crue's , The Dirt. They all tackle drugs /addiction and all kinds of madness. I have to admit I tried reading Heroin Diaries and as someone who has also had battles with depression, it was way too depressing for me to read. Best of luck. Really listen to her advice in this video. Take notes, and start trying to whittle down the moments to the ones you think are too important to not have in telling your story. Like if you had 5-15 minutes to tell a complete stranger who you were, what would you tell them about? How would you want them to perceive you? What would you absolutely want them to know or understand about your journey? Specific lessons you learned? How you changed as a person? Remember what she said about we have to experience it with you, and get us to be on your side. Best of luck.

@buff54321 2 жыл бұрын

I am proud of you

@evanevarezstjohn4643 2 жыл бұрын

Writing memoir brings up a lot of painful memories. As a recovering addict, I highly recommend working on recovery in NA and/or AA to help you process your past and see it from a new perspective.

@mallariculp3551 Ай бұрын

I know I’m years later, but find the book, “when the lights go out” by David (Nino) rodriguez. It’s about a guy (ex champion boxer) who fought addiction and lost everything… his darkest days and road to recovery. You might relate to him.

@tehyalewis2549 Жыл бұрын

I got inspired to write a memoir from the movie “Basketball Diaries “ through everything he never stopped

@cbythesea 4 күн бұрын

Starting to write again after a 2 year hiatus. I’m re-re-re-starting my memoir project. The latest idea is to use the actual text I wrote (and published anonymously) back in 1997. It was picked up and reposted on the web in a few places. Over 1M views-this was way before blogging, and way, way before social media. On my pre and early days of transition. Writing to fill in more of the before and since then. …29 years later. It’s a cliche but so true how time zips by. Lots of serendipity and Zelig-like moments that created tangents/new directions. I never thought I’d live past 27, never thought I’d be able to transition, never thought I’d get married AND divorced, never thought I’d have my heart heal after so many breaks and losses, and never thought I could ever have the chance to update my story and to finally be not-anonymous.

@knliteraryarts 2 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing! We're glad you're telling your story again.

@jenrivard133 3 жыл бұрын

I love the book “Educated.” It was so relatable for me. This video was extremely helpful.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

very happy to hear it was helpful, and all of us here at kn literary loved that book too... so inspiring!

@tericolby1310 3 жыл бұрын

@@knliteraryarts me too!

@alecharper515 24 күн бұрын

Well done. Thanks! Very useful tips and presented in an encouraging manner. Good writing is real work. One can always improve. As I began to write , I attended a writers' conference and found a one-page handout imploring us to ask one simple question - Why do we write? And what I found is that the answer to that question evolves and grows over time. It is easy to overthink things and paralyze ourselves into inaction. Who cares if "it" is not "perfect"? What is "perfect", anyway? I would surmise that anyone watching this video has either begun or is at some more advanced stage of completing a memoir. To you, I would say... enjoy it! Be one of the very few who actually completes a manuscript. Don't hesitate. Press on! I remember an art teacher telling us that there is no such thing as "bad art". Grind it out and surprise yourself! Above all else, do not allow anyone to steal your dream. Everyone has a story to tell... Cheers, 🍷

@knliteraryarts 23 күн бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing!

@LittleRedDrum Ай бұрын

I'm am transitioning from being a script writer to writing my own memoir. I went from an abusive relationship, to a life changing spinal surgery, to losing half of my family at once, to deal with a roof collapse, to then traveling around my country not knowing where I'd be living next. I'm calling it "The Year That Went To S**t" in hopes that someone can see that you can have a hard year and still come out with your sanity and strength.

@knliteraryarts Ай бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing part of your story!

@azuritevalentine6199 2 жыл бұрын

I read "A Child Called It." when I was 12, 22 now. Learning how to write my memoir

@ahahangiee 11 ай бұрын

Oh so we’re both just living the same life aren’t we

@danikeebler1662 Ай бұрын

I loved the writing in that book. He talked about living with a mom with some mental illness, but his voice is not bitter or condemning. Well written.

@elodieemail1849 3 жыл бұрын

I'm currently writing a memoir about surviving cancer at 16 and the knowledge I learned along the way. In the book, I'm also giving advice along with telling my story. I am taking notes during all your videos because it is so helpful especially since I haven't had a lot of writing experience (I'm 17). For the scenes, I have them written in past tense but would it be more realistic for the reader if I made them in present tense so they felt like they were there with me? I have been journaling all my emotions for the past two years so a lot of it is present tense but when I write about specific scenes like when I was diagnosed and my first and last chemo I write in the past tense. I'm wondering if the change in tense would be confusing or interesting. Love your videos!!!

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing a bit about your story. It sounds like you have some great wisdom and a very important message to get into the world! Tense is a personal preference, and there are great memoirs that use past tense (like Educated by Tara Westover and Becoming by Michelle Obama) and others that use present tense (like Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and Love Warrior by Glennon Doyle). We recommend doing a bit of research on memoirs similar to your own as you make your decision!

@shveta9334 3 жыл бұрын

Hey same here. I’m also a cancer survivor and in the process of writing my own book based on the experience of my past 2 years. Even i was confused about the same. I hope you’re doing well now. More power 💪🏻

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

@@shveta9334 Thanks for sharing. We wish you all the best on your writing journey as well. Please let us know how your project comes along.

@Sindollx666x 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent question. I too was curious about the tense. That is something i've long had difficulty deciding as a writer depending on what i'm working on. I was a theater geek in high school and middle school so i've got a great deal of practice with play/script format writing. I always loved creative writing and even wrote for my school paper, but it's so much different when it's more personal. Congratulations to you and the other commentor who have survived and seem to have defeated cancer. I bet your stories will help a lot of people. I have to say, just reading your comment/question you seemed much older & wiser than 17. It's pretty crazy how living through certain things can impart so much wisdom in the young. I grew up with a severely disabled brother who was born when I was 3 so I had to learn what death was then, coz we were told he'd not live to be a year old. This experience greatly impacted my life in 2 major ways, I think it made me have to mature faster, and I think it's the "reason" I ended up being "a freak" (goth, punk, social outcast). I got told my entire life I was "an old soul" i bet you hear that a lot as well. That's kinda the focus i'm wanting to go with my story, why I look this way. Hell in 1999 I was interviewed by the local newspaper because they wanted me to be the voice for educating the public on what goth is. I was a public figure cos I was a manager at my local hot Topic and I influenced a couple generations of outcast kids. Either through a phase or through their life. It's so wild just the other day I got a message on Instagram from a girl who is in her 20s or 30s who told me she's wanted to be me since she was about 9 years old. It blew my mind. Especially since I quit that job in 2006 after 8 years. But apparently i'm still in the minds of those who remember me. It's really a mind eff especially coz the general public was incredibly cruel and mean to me. I had to have my guard up the moment I stepped outside, nowadays I hear more positive stuff than negative, so it feels like a lot of my goals of breaking the public in to acceptance of the different or weird has finally paid off for the most part! Best of luck to you, and your progress on your story, life, and health! Keep staying positive and imparting knowledge/experience/advice is great too. I believe: If you can help or inspire someone along the way, that's something I feel excellent about doing as much as possible.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

@@Sindollx666x Thanks for sharing. Well said!

@mariahh25 2 жыл бұрын

I love how you speak normally, normal speed! Don’t like those KZfaq videos that people talk so slow.. can’t watch. You’re awesome

@Tradairn 3 ай бұрын

Really? I think she rushes. I get sensory overload trying to take in so much information at such a pace. I have to keep stopping and taking breaks. But then, I'm getting old. 😊

@arin4121 3 ай бұрын

I'm attempting to write a memoir on my experiences with nature, so excited to share soon!

@knliteraryarts 3 ай бұрын

Wonderful! Thank you for commenting. We're cheering you on!

@ohitsolly677 Жыл бұрын

I'm writing my memoir now! It's my story about undiagnosed BPD, neglectful family life and no contact with family as a young adult! ❤

@loriarnold6965 Жыл бұрын

Hi. I have BPD and bipolar, both incorrectly diagnosed until I was 46. Blessings to you on your discovery journey. I am just beginning to study memoir writing.

@ohitsolly677 Жыл бұрын

@@loriarnold6965 thank you! Xx

@ostrowulf 3 жыл бұрын

Hmm, I was thinking of just writing mine as a bunch of short stories. My logic being that there are lots of times people get me to sit down and tell the tales of my (often stupid and rediculous) adventures. So I figured having those stories written out would be fun. That said, they really are just a bunch of scenes, so likely I could link them together a bit more into one flowing story.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Writing a bunch of short stories is a great idea! My advice would be to sit down and assess your content and then determine whether it makes the most sense for you to write a shorter piece or a longer piece! As always, we at KN Literary encourage writers to schedule a FREE consultation with one of our lovely matchmakers to help answer questions you may have: www.knliterary.com/schedule -Ayesha💕

@thomasfoley1440 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for this, Kelly. You are the absolute best at describing with examples and allowing the viewer to listen and apply/incorporate technique into their own writing style and goal.

@grandmasangels3203 Жыл бұрын

Hi Kelly. I just came across your clip here and you explain things very well. I'm beginning my adventure in writing my story. Looking forward to it. I'm going to read the books you recommended. Especially the first two. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. Grandma's Angel's

@staycurious644 2 жыл бұрын

Watched all the videos on writing a memoir and this was one of the most succinct and helpful, thank you!

@2008betwixt Жыл бұрын

Some people can not read my book at night. I have only just started writing my story.

@TheLittleBlackShadeTree 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this helpful video and your free PDFs! I am currently writing a memoir on my father and will be looking for an editor in the near future, so I made sure to subscribe and write your name down. Thank you for the 3 Book Outlines workpage, it was the first time I was able to write my story step by step with the Hero's Journey! It has brought so much clarity to my project. Thank you!!

@valkyriepierce2143 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the book recommendations. I rented them from the library and look forward to reading them!

@SharonGirl317 4 жыл бұрын

I've had a desire to write a memoir for years. I started writing the memoir at a pivotal moment in my life where everything was turned upside down. I knew that this is where I had to start. Thanks so much for your great advice. I will continue to watch your videos to help guide me.

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, I'm so glad that this video was helpful during your journey. What a great time to start a memoir right in the middle of life-changing events. Keep going! We can't wait to hear how your story comes along.

@HellaBella 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! No fluff in this video at all. Just found you and subscribed! ❤️

@coryw31 Жыл бұрын

Being a Sixties scoop survivor, and the son of two residential school survivors, I'm trying to figure out whether I should write an essay compilation, or a memoir.

@knliteraryarts Жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching. The world needs your story! You could start out by writing essays about these experiences. Eventually, if you see a common theme emerging, it may turn into a memoir later on. Either way, start writing.

@rdubitsk 4 ай бұрын

Love Anne Lamott. Need to read that book.

@knliteraryarts 4 ай бұрын

Enjoy!

@dmpennsr 2 жыл бұрын

The best help - phenomenal video - thanks

@darrenwendroff3441 2 жыл бұрын

Wow this is such beautiful content, thank you so so much for sharing. I'm writing a memoir but my experience of healing 40 years of clinical depression and suicidal ideation through plant medicines, ayahuasca, mushrooms, iboga, and was looking for ways to organize my story. My story is very similar to caravan of no despair actually in the sense that my suffering became a catalyst for my healing. This is absolutely priceless, thank you so much again!

@latashacannon4797 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this information!!

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

You're so welcome. Thanks for watching!

@ExploreEmbraceExpress 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your sound advice. I appreciate your time and insight on a topic that can feel overwhelming. The way you explain everything is easy to digest and utilize. I just subscribed to your channel, and look forward to seeing more of your content.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for subscribing! Cheers! --Ayesha

@christinedisneyqueen5746 3 жыл бұрын

Love this video...thank you for sharing.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!

@jfcreates4671 4 жыл бұрын

This is fabulous content!! I AM LEARNING SO MUCH!!! Thank you so much!!

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome. I'm so glad you are finding it helpful!

@aycha_1449 4 жыл бұрын

So good! Very sensible and clear advice, obviously from an understanding of both sides, the editor's and writer's/protagonist's perspectives. Thank you for sharing it! 🙌

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

@acespedes5044 Жыл бұрын

I needed to hear this. Thank you 💙

@knliteraryarts Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome. Thanks for watching!

@worldtraveler7558 2 жыл бұрын

This is great! Thank you. I just finished Wildflower, a Tale of Transcendence. And, wow! So good! I finished it in two days.

@kiki.arielscrystalco 2 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful, glad to have found your channel, thanks! :)

@ACESEnglishparaViajar 3 жыл бұрын

This was huge for me. Amazing tips that will hopefully help me get going! Thank you.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

So happy to help! Thanks for watching and for your kind comments.

@WritingSecrets 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video! I couldn't help but embed it in my article on writing autobiographies. Thank you for sharing!

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I'm glad the content was helpful.

@Bridget2460 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you this video was extremely helpful.

@rachelchenoweth5748 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing Have a blessed day 💜😇

@scottlunn4327 4 жыл бұрын

Some solid advice. Thanks for taking the time to share your professional insights.

@scottlunn4327 4 жыл бұрын

Also, do you have any recommondations for crime based or photo driven memoirs? I happen to have tome very compelling visuals that help to drive the stories, as the stories enhance the visuals, but I don't know of anything that has been done in such a way that there would be images placed throughout. Is it a concept that simply won't work?

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

@@scottlunn4327, Thanks for your question! It is fairly commonplace to include a photo insert if there are visuals that are compelling and even required for the reader to understand the book. However, having photos throughout the book is possible as well, as long as you can run them in black and white. If they need to be in color in order to be understood, a photo insert is the best idea so that you don’t have to run the entire book in 4-color. Four-color printing is very expensive and requires glossy paper which is not necessary or normal for a text-driven book. Hope this helps!

@holycow8743 9 ай бұрын

Thank you so much I really appreciate everything you shared

@knliteraryarts 9 ай бұрын

You are so welcome. Thank you for your comment!

@MissRenee_X 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! This was a great video & gave me such clarity.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

So glad to hear! Wishing you all the best :)

@wingygaming 3 жыл бұрын

This video was very helpful. Thank you! I started writing mine yesterday. Really for my two kids, but the more I sit and plan things out, the more I wonder if more might be interested in some of the pivotal moments in my life. Again great video, you gave a lot of good information concsely.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Congrats on getting started! It's great when the reason for writing motivates you. It really helps you mold the story and figure out your direction and voice. Keep up the good work!

@danieljaygrossett-author 3 жыл бұрын

Great video once again. So much wisdom and knowledge. Thank u

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching!

@mostafamo1302 3 жыл бұрын

What a spark of inspiration, thanks this motivates me to write.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

We're so happy to hear this was a motivator for you! Good luck on your journey. Let us know how it goes for you.

@KatelynAnn710 2 жыл бұрын

Ignore this, Just taking notes Memoir: crafted like a novel, not chronological, interjections, discussion of life, understanding and articulation of a bigger picture going on, character driven & scene driven like a novel, readers must grow to love u as the protagonist. U must win them over with being vulnerable, imperfect, revealing flaws and selves. Show rather than tell, show by carefully chosen scenes. Show what happened scene by scene. Needs to have hero’s journey in it. Show us the moment where u got diagnoses, show us moment where ___, bring us into the story by giving the irrelevant details (about who we are and the scene we’re walking thru on this journey). Do character development and journal abt u, who are u? What do u care about? What did u care about before this happened? What were u thinking abt most of the time? What were u doing and talking to? What thoughts were running thru ur mind? Take us to the moment it happened, show us don’t tell us. Character development about the people who were there. Write about where u loved, the yard u played in, the key people in ur life. Plot the scenes out as if in a movie. Scene progression, how does the beginning and middle and end fit with each other? Plot them in advance, u can’t include every important moment of ur life. Carve it out. Memoirs: traveling mercies by Anne Lamont (beautiful scenes) Caravan of no despair (she had to leave a lot out, but good example of sparely told and emotionally intense memoir) The afterlife of billy fingers (cooky, lively and funny scenes, good at setting scene after scene) Sue Monk Kidd The dance of the dissident daughter (beautiful scenes)

@ModernJewelryMakers 3 жыл бұрын

I just found your channel - I’ve never considered reading other memoirs for the purpose of researching how to write my own one day - though it seems so obvious! I mostly listen to audio books but I get a sense this exercise would be much better served by reading the paper book - I’m so excited - I think it’s been over 5 yrs since I’ve read a real book in my hands! Thank you!! Vivi

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Hi Vivi! So glad to hear that this video has helped you, wishing you all the best 💕

@mariahh25 2 жыл бұрын

So good thanks!

@becomingbrie7232 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this!

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

You're so welcome. Thanks for watching!

@sheraehoneycutt7978 3 жыл бұрын

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

You're so welcome. Thanks for watching!

@kristenlongoria6218 3 жыл бұрын

I was really impressed by the succinct nature of the information, the enthusiasm, the speed of words-delivery, and the closing remarks about the story "you were born to right". The beautiful marble on the cutting room floor was such an inspired way to describe the editing process - kudos, props, bravo, great choice of metaphor. I hope this comment serves as an encouraging moment for you because this sincerity and still business-oriented style for the video was refreshing, to say the least! Namaste. And thank you.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind words. We are so glad you found it helpful!

@ashlynfeld3201 2 жыл бұрын

I wanted to write a memoir based on my love story on how I found and kept my partner through the painful struggle of obsessive compulsive disorder! I can’t wait to start it once I get all the info I need on how to do it!

@skoolielove 4 жыл бұрын

What an amazing video. Thank you so much! Very well done.

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching! Glad you found it helpful!

@asmrkeels1 4 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful in many more ways than one, thank you!

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

Yay! I'm so glad it was helpful to you.

@soleknight3212 4 жыл бұрын

Brilliant!!! This is how I have been writing it, but more tips and work to do. Thank you. God bless

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

Great! Best of luck to you.❤

@soleknight3212 4 жыл бұрын

@@knliteraryarts Thank you!

@Halonablack 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. Great video!

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching! Glad you enjoyed it❤

@dee4435 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this! Just 2 hours ago I made the decision that my first book will be a memoir (maybe a teaching memoir?). I've been writing this book for almost 4 years and am so EXCITED to have this clarity. I can begin to "bring together" my story. Appreciate all your videos and advice.

@knliteraryarts 2 жыл бұрын

Lovely, Dee! Thanks for watching. We really do this to help writers like you. We're excited that you're excited!

@Reese-Becke 3 ай бұрын

What an insane time to be writing a memoir. C19 and isolation affected me so much more than I ever thought possible. In the beginning, I continued writing, but then my boyfriend's parents got sick, his father died, my guy tested positive and I went into an anxiety spiral. What more could possibly happen, right? I'm so blessed. And now I've kept adding to my journey. When you sell all your possessions and allow yourself only one suitcase, buy a series of plane tickets with no return destination...then fall in love with a young Turk!! Haha, well, life is insane and amazing all at the same time. Thanks for being the guiding light to get this second memoir into the second draft stage. Love your passion!

@knliteraryarts 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing!

@authenticallyamber99 3 жыл бұрын

New subbie here and found this very helpful! 😊 I’ve written quite a bit just to get the memories down on paper but realize much editing is in my future. I suppose I wanted to document for my children’s sake as well. Beginning another outline draft immediately, bearing in mind your thoughts on creating scenes rather than chronological order. That makes so much sense and I agree adds more interest. Thank you for sharing! 💕

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing, I'm so happy this helped you! Good luck on your writing journey!

@zhanglin3265 4 жыл бұрын

Thank You! Best Luck!

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome. Thanks for watching!

@malihausmani5945 2 жыл бұрын

You are absolutely brilliant. Really impressive.

@drciprian 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@karinturkington2455 3 ай бұрын

Wonderful video. Very informative. Thank you so much..

@knliteraryarts 3 ай бұрын

You are so welcome!

@Sindollx666x 3 жыл бұрын

This was so incredibly helpful information, thank you. I've been tossing around the idea of a memoir for YEARS. Coz all my years in retail (8 at a book store even) i've had people I don't really know, or just met expressing deep curiosity and interest in knowing and hearing about my life. I've long been focused on a young adult novel but people keep bringing my mind and focus back to my life and me and it seems like a sign I just need to follow. I always wanted to approach it like a movie, coz movies are how I like to digest story frequently. But when it's your life and your experiences sometimes it feels like we're too close to decide exactly where to start. It seems when I tell people about my life, no matter what part, it seems fantastical and exaggerated because it's so crazy! I get told all the time it sounds like a movie. And it does. I feel like people think i'm making it up sometimes. I took heavy notes from this video. I'm going to subscribe and start doing what you suggested. I actually had to do something similar for my y.a. story (i'm still writing). I had to stop the general story and write down names, family trees, and history of events that took place before the characters in the main story existed because it was detrimental to how I tell about the events happening now to them. So this actually makes a lot of sense to me!! Thanks again!!

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome! Best of luck to you on your writing journey 💕

@pamelacole3960 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video which has inspired me more to tell my story of a terrible loss I suffered six years ago; the illness and death of my only child. I have been trying to get things going but trying to find the courage to do so. I hope to find more support from your videos; this is my first.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your story will no doubt be inspiring to others. We really encourage you to keep going and hope you find all the other videos helpful as well. Keep us posted on how your project comes along!

@Sindollx666x 3 жыл бұрын

((Hugs)) watched my mom endure this with my little brother. And I've lost someone every single year since he passed in 2007. In fact sometimes more than one someone. On 9/11 this year I found my best friend, who I did caregiving for for 6 years deceased in her apartment. So I lost my job, income, and best friend all in the same day. I'm literally waiting for unemployment right now still, cos of covid its been delayed.. suucckks. And it really messed me up experiencing that. I'm so sorry I hope your heart gets lighter in time, and that you're able to find healing and peace in time. As well as more people to connect with that can feel you and help.

@ericcrane4871 4 жыл бұрын

I like your take on having scenes drive the book rather than making it chronological. I wrote a memoir that jumps around a bit; some times are finite and some are just musings but they all occurred at roughly the same time.

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

Glad you agree. That sounds like a great approach!

@ericcrane4871 4 жыл бұрын

Fingers crossed as the book is in the hands of my three beta readers. Waiting for a crushing blow (or 3).

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

@@ericcrane4871, Best of luck! Let us know how it goes.

@michaelajuels5712 4 жыл бұрын

You are incredible! I cannot thank you enough.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

You're very welcome! 💗

@ADemetrius Жыл бұрын

This was extremely helpful and on par with my editor’s notes. Thank you for helping me see my memoir in a broader, reader based sense!

@knliteraryarts Жыл бұрын

So glad we could help!

@dianalynn3453 10 ай бұрын

Thank you so much!

@knliteraryarts 10 ай бұрын

You're so welcome! Thanks for commenting!

@MaryJaneHancock Жыл бұрын

Thank you for posting. Appreciate your insights. :-)

@keatts23 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome thank you Kelly.

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

You are welcome!

@Rampaigee 4 жыл бұрын

This is very helpful! Thank you.

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

You are welcome! So glad it helped. Thanks for watching.

@joho9815 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. Very helpful!! You're very articulate.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching! Glad the video was helpful! 🤍

@teslamarie_ 3 жыл бұрын

This was really helpful! Thank you.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

You are so welcome. Thanks for watching!

@miameyer5277 Жыл бұрын

This is amazing advice! Thank you

@knliteraryarts Жыл бұрын

You're so welcome. Thanks for watching, Mia!

@maxbarker8161 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Katie.

@OliviaBoughton Жыл бұрын

wow what an awesome video. good info, great suggestions, beautiful smile!

@GabrielleSolange 3 жыл бұрын

thank you so much!

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! 💗

@timandersonwildman6138 2 жыл бұрын

I just discovered your channel. I'm writing, and it's helping me a lot! As I write, I am banging out memoir after memoir that teachers like you are recommending. Currently reading "Angela's Ashes" and right away I noticed there are no quotation marks around any of the dialogue. Can you comment on why, and how the author might have decided to omit this?

@Yourfavcolorist 3 жыл бұрын

You are awesome! As a child and teen,I read often.Life is so busy know I don't get to read like I use too however I've rather read them watch T.V. I love creating memorable moments in my writing!

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Great to hear. Thanks for watching. Happy writing!

@joaniestewart163 4 ай бұрын

Allison, thank you for your very true inspiring words. You reinforced the very essence of the memoir I wrote many years ago, value! I valued my carefree beautiful life on the small Island where I grew up, however comfortable it may have been, something was missing that I could not put my fingers on. I was brought up in a house of secrets where no one talked about things, you were just told to keep quiet and not ask silly questions. I was at a pivotal point in my life where one part of me had had enough, and one part of me wanted to flee Island life. I was never any good at verbally expressing myself and developed a spiritual calling out of frustration to write my story which was where my writing journey all began. My mental suffering became the catalyst of my healing and the only way I could climb out of this 'stuck place' was to write about it. I needed to let go and find myself and the only way I knew how was to keep a diary every day which eventually turned into a book.

@knliteraryarts 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing! We're so glad that you found healing through writing your story. So powerful.

@hmmhmmhmm3 3 жыл бұрын

This video really packs a punch with useful tips about developmental and scene writing when crafting a memoir. Thank you so much for spelling it out and for including reference books that I can both enjoy and learn from. Do you lead any Zoom classes on character development that where we can share writing assignments with others for feedback? If not, I'd love your recommendation. Thank you again.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

I suggest scheduling a free consultation with one of our matchmakers! They will be able to guide you in the right direction ☺️

@1234512345aa100 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the explanation of how to write a memoir, it’s pretty much how I thought it would be all these years of thinking about writing my book. I think maybe I might be a little too young I’m 39 but I’ve had a long life so far. Allot of good times and some not so good. I feel like mine- would be ranked right up there with best sellers if I can just write it out correctly. wish me luck, and again thank you for the video

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. It sounds like you have a great experience to share. Can't wait to hear how it goes for you! Best of luck.

@ritalayman9396 Жыл бұрын

Just purchased Caravan of no despair. Can’t wait to read.

@knliteraryarts Жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Let us know what you think of it.

@sassysatan1659 Жыл бұрын

My aunt contacted me recently and told me about her memoir involving drug addiction which this inspired me in the midst of a transformative part of my life. Literally a light bulb. "I should write about my experience with my narcissist and the crucial lessons I learned over the past seven years!!" So now I'm trying to gather as much information as possible on writing memoirs to me this happen and to share my story with others. I'm so excited for this new chapter of my life 😁😁💐

@knliteraryarts Жыл бұрын

Wonderful! So glad we were able to give you some info as you start your book journey!

@walletman23 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve been wanting to write a short memoir of me traveling around the world. I particularly want to talk about how discovering new experiences has set my moral compass for the better and affect my life decisions up until now. My political beliefs and growing empathy all started from meeting new people and has grown into a web of discovery that lead me to either change my habits, discover social media accounts that promote empathy and in turn enable changing, and speak up for people who have been treated unjustly. I’ve been reading books again because of quarantine to improve my vocabulary for such a project and in turn has led me to this video to learn about the creative writing process. I have many more ideas when it comes to memoir but a travel memoir was the strongest idea.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing a bit about your memoir journey. It sounds like you have a great path established and reading other memoirs for inspiration is a great way to research and improve your vocabulary as you say. Best of luck!

@BMSConnection1959 Жыл бұрын

While I was watching you and listening to you I was imagining making movie out of my own story book. I love movies and now I understand it's possible to make my own movie. I can start by making short videos.

@mariaradulovic3203 3 жыл бұрын

Thank u!!!! ❤

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching, Maria! ❤ -Ayesha

@TheHeartOne 4 жыл бұрын

This is a repeat question, but the literary agent that I thought I was going to have the 15 minute conference call with today, could not hear me well, and I am confused because I thought the conference call was just the two of us. Am I wrong? Please explain this process, and, as always, thank you for having such an upbeat, positive video for all of us!!! Have a great fan here! Blessings, Dee Dee

@shveta9334 3 жыл бұрын

Hi there. I’m also a cancer survivor and in the process of writing my own book based on the experience of my past 2 years. Your videos help me alott. More power 💪🏻

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. We're so glad the videos have been helpful and can't wait to hear how your project goes. Your message is so important and your personal story will touch so many who have struggled and survived. Congrats on taking steps toward your book dream!

@TheHeartOne 4 жыл бұрын

As always, Kelly, I have loved seeing you in the webinars and on You Tube! Your book is mentioned in my book! I have actually reached out to Annie with your company. We will be talking soon. Blessings, Dee Dee!

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

Yay! I'm so happy you'll be working with Annie. She is great! Thanks for watching, and for your sweet comments.

@TheHeartOne 4 жыл бұрын

@@knliteraryarts You certainly deserve positive and "sweet" comments for going the extra mile to insure that people truly DO have a book to write. I will be contacting Annie very soon! I can hardly wait!

@StevenComicBookLover 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your videos. I just finished my memoir and sent my query letter to two literary agents. Hopefully it will go well. I wrote a lot in college. I am hoping my writing will be up to there standards. If anything, I will self publish if I need to. Your videos were extremely helpful.

@knliteraryarts 2 жыл бұрын

So happy to hear it, Steven! We have lots of great resources here on our channel to help you on your journey.

@fizznz4308 4 жыл бұрын

Excellent post, it really helped. The reader is shown not told...got it.

@knliteraryarts 4 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad it was helpful!

@mitchellspindell589 3 жыл бұрын

This was helpful!

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching. So glad it was helpful!

@LaDeeDah 3 жыл бұрын

This is gold.

@knliteraryarts 3 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy to hear this was helpful to you. Thanks for watching!

@biggirlsonthemove694 2 жыл бұрын

30 seconds ago Thank you for sharing your vast experience and knowledge so freely. 🙏🏼 I would just like to give a bit of feedback in relation to your delivery, you speak very fast and I found myself holding my breath .i wondered if you had considered delivering at a slower pace ? If you watch your video with the sound off you can see there are very few pauses for thought in your delivery . Again thank you for sharing your knowledge and your wisdom I especially drew on the points of 1. character driven and 2. Written in scenes .

@oneiceb5974 10 ай бұрын

Thank you ❤

@knliteraryarts 9 ай бұрын

You're welcome 😊

@oneiceb5974 4 ай бұрын

I've completed my Memior Perseverance by Tacaria Bryant @ 2.99 Barnes and Noble 😊

@TerraFermentata 8 ай бұрын

My memoir would be about healing from severe abuse in childhood that caused dissociative identity disorder, and becoming a foster parent and leader in the community to help children from childhoods like my own.

@knliteraryarts 8 ай бұрын

Wonderful. Thank you for sharing 💜