I love all of this ... I especially love and deeply moved by the word, "honour" Alison uses near the beginning and the word, "sacred" at around 3/4 down. I'm just finishing her Writing Memoir Ink course and it is beautifully deep and opened my writing to the heart-soul place where I wanted to be. Thank you Alison ❣

Thank you so much Alison for putting this gift out to us who have stories to tell,Blessings to you

Thank you! I agree that my writing is a 'calling'...

I love this!! ❤

Beautifully said, and so true that there is very likely a deeper purpose still unknown in that desire to express or motivation to write it. Love that we may not need to know and if merely a recounting of our time here on earth. What a blessing all of this is. Thank you Alison

Thank you Alison for offering this. I was so excited to see email from you, saying "No writing Memoir class isn't over!" LOL I have been pondering this question over and over since the class. I have continued writing with the editorial help of Laurie Gaugh, who has been just wonderful. She has been supportive of my continuing to finish the 20 chapters I had written but not 'tweaked' prior to your course. So anxious for the 15th! - Sandi Oliverio

Alison, this was beautiful. I wrote my first book about my life in the USSR because I wanted my voice heard. I also think that writing a memoir is a spiritual experience and a calling. I am so grateful to have met you and learn from you. Thank you. Thank you, thank you.

Thank you Alison. "When we write our story, we don't need to know why we are writing it. By not knowing, it gives more value because it is more authentic" I love that. To surrender to write and be led by the story feels exciting.

So well said.. thank you.

“Memoir offers the reader insight, meaning…” Allison clearly puts what we deeply sense about memoir into words. (Which is something she does so beautifully!)

Thank you Alison for a very kind and positive affirnation about Memoire Writing. I am almost finished my 1st draft of my Memoire and this is very motivating to go and finish it, edit and publish. Because of surgery recently, i have put it on hold, but the New Year beckons for me to return to this wonderful opus.

Thank You Alison, I have been moved by the encouragement I have received from you. It kept me going through the really difficult part of my book. I would love nothing more than to be able to take one of your classes, but unfortunately my wife and I are fairly poor and I now have to find a way to get my story published. Ive sent comments before and I really wish I could take your class. Thank You very much for the inspirational work you do.

“We are called to write our story.” You continue to speak the truths I need to hear. Sometimes your voice is just loud enough to silence the critic within. Thanks.

I have wanted to write my memoir for several years. I took writing classes at a local college in preparation. Yet, for three years now, I have hesitated, instead writing several creative non-fiction pieces based on my life experiences. My problem is that I fear hurting individuals who are still in my life. I also think of my granddaughters reading about my escapades or the bad behavior of other family members toward me and thinking poorly of myself or them. I survived domestic abuse. Some things are quite severe and could shock some family members and cause them to defend their actions, perhaps legally. Is there a fine line between what is said in memoir and defamation? My brother, when he was alive, threatened to sue me if I wrote my memoir, claiming that I would disgrace the family. I am still held hostage by that threat 3 years after his passing. I looked long at my great-grandmother's photo a few days ago. I wished I knew more about her and realized that if she had written her memoir I would know so much more about my lineage as well. But would I want to know about the secrets, the off-color behavior, the bad judgments? She would be so much more real to me and I think I would cherish that knowledge. Still, I am left with a moral dilemma. This keeps me from going forward. I truly don't want to hurt anyone but I also want them to know who I really am and to set the story straight. I want them to know how I survived everything, found my courage to carry on, and can still love them. But I want to write with dignity and protect the dignity of others despite what impact they have had on my life. I'm not interested in writing a "tell-all" for the purpose of revenge. It all feels very fragile and must be handled properly and with respect. Does anyone else wrestle with this problem?

Loved this post. Have just finished my memoir, and need advice as to what I do next.

I'm wondering also, if writing it down might help me to heal parts of my life.

Do you know publishers that we could use for memoirs?

Hello Alison, I've taken Memoir Ink, and now I have started a Substack called Memoirist in the Museum. Can I add you to my list of subscribers?

I've started a "memoir" about 12 years ago about my mom's life. (d. 2002). Called it creative nonfiction because I had to make up parts I didn't know, or do dreaded research (historical timeline). But I now recognize that I'm stuck because so much of her is in ME . . and I didn't necessarily want to reveal that in my writing. Now: Who cares?? I'm over 60 and still feel the urge. Maybe it will coalesce into a bigger story about my nuclear family. Thanks for your timely post and inspiration to write again.

the crafting.... that's what has not hit me. :( It's a chore for me.