Resources for Writing Memoirs

Writing a memoir is a challenging and worthwhile endeavor. It is a journey into our past from our present perspective that involves soul searching and unearthing memories that range from traumatic to joyful. The rewards of taking this journey are many, including personal healing and sharing our stories with others who can learn about, relate to, and benefit from our life experiences. We all have stories to tell.

If you learn about resources not included on this website, please let me know. Contact me.

Taking Care of Yourself Emotionally

When I started writing my memoir, I had no idea what I was doing. I began with photographs and my diaries. It didn’t take long for me to realize that writing about this time in my life was going to be emotionally challenging. I went to my local Veterans Administration clinic to talk to a therapist, who helped me process my feelings. I also rejoined a 12-step program, which has been providing me with ongoing support.
You may want to find a professional in your local area to help you process painful and confusing emotions and trauma as you work on your own memoir. Look for support groups that can help you deal with specific issues like substance abuse or other addictions, mental health, physical illness, the loss of a loved one, domestic violence, or sexual abuse. Many of these groups are free and some are available online.

Local Resources for Writers

Look for local resources for writers, such as writing groups and writing classes. I live in a relatively small city, so my options were limited. Fortunately, local authors started Las Cruces Writers in early 2021. The group has a website, monthly meetings, training, networking, and book signings 2-3 times per year, all for a very affordable membership fee. https://lascruceswritersgroup.org/

Do some research to find out what is available in your area and for groups you can participate in virtually. Compare time commitments, cost, experience, recommendations, reviews, etc. before you choose where to invest your time and money.
I signed up for a local Memoir Group Coaching Program. It was a pilot program that lasted 12 months and cost $2,000. The initial four participants dwindled to two of us early on. Since I didn’t know anything about writing a memoir, I did learn a lot, however, I would later find many resources covering the same topics available online for free. Also, while we did writing exercises, it was six months before I started writing chapters for my memoir. I definitely recommend checking out the resources in this section before you commit a large amount of time or money to a specific program.

Senior cheerful women in eyeglasses looking at screen of smartphone and surfing internet together

The National Association of Memoir Writers

The National Association of Memoir Writers is my favorite resource. Membership includes three hour-long virtual events each month hosted by founder Linda Joy Myers. The Virtual Book Club features an interview with a memoir author, often a NAMW member. The Group Coaching Session allows members to ask questions related to where they are in the memoir writing process. The Member Events are essentially training sessions by a variety of speakers on the craft of memoir writing. Members have access to ten years of archives of Virtual Book Club and Member Event audios; Members Only resources on the website; free eBooks; a Members Only Facebook group; and workshops and classes. Membership is currently $169 per year, but significant discounts are offered several times a year, usually around holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day and Cyber Monday. For more information, go to https://www.namw.org/

Memoir Writing for Geniuses

Wendy Dale offers several free resources that I found helpful, including What you need to know to begin writing your memoir; Understanding Structure; a 7-part video class on Seven Steps to Structure; blogs; and YouTube videos. Wendy also offers two paid video courses: Starting Your Memoir and The Complete Memoir Writing Kit. For more information, go to MEMOIR WRITING FOR GENIUSES

Lisa Cron Story Coach

Story Coach Lisa Cron’s Wired for Story website has an extensive list of free articles on what a story is and how to write one. Lisa is the author of three books on using brain science to write stories: Wired for Story, Story Genius, and Story or Die. She conducts online story classes and does one-on-one coaching. I found using her Story Genius Scene Cards improved my memoir significantly. For more information, go to http://wiredforstory.com/

The Memoir Network

Denis Ledoux’ The Memoir Network has free memoir writing resources. The My Memoir Education program includes e-courses, e-books and blog posts. His YouTube Channel has many videos on memoir writing. In addition to these free resources, there is the book Turning Memories Into Memoirs and the Develop Vivid Characters text and audio program. The Memoir Network offers the following services to memoir writers: coaching, editing, ghostwriting, proofreading, book production, and training to become a memoir writing professional. For more information, go to https://thememoirnetwork.com/

The Memoir Project

Marion Roach Smith is the author of the popular book The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing & Life. Her website offers a lot of free materials, including articles, an e-newsletter, blogs and podcasts. Beginner and more advanced online classes and workshops are available. You can also hire editors and coaches. For more information, go to https://marionroach.com/

Write True

For the past two years, Lisa Lucca has been my developmental editor and writing coach. She has been my guide from a shitty first draft to a final polished manuscript. Her team helped with cover design, and interior format & design. Lisa has provided support with production, publishing, and marketing. For more information, go to https://livetruecoach.com/write-true

Books on Memoir Writing

There are lots of books on writing memoirs. These come highly recommended.

Enchanted Spirit Journeys is now an affiliate of Bookshop, an online platform that supports independent bookstores. You can go to our Books on Memoir Writing Book List at this link: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-on-memoir-writing/. When you click on a book cover below or in the Book List, it will take you to the book description and you can order the book there.

We receive a commission for every book you purchase through our links and 10% of your purchase also supports a local independent bookstore of your choice, at no cost to you. In fact, most books are sold at a discount on Bookshop. We only receive a commission if you purchase a book within 48 hours through the link for the Book List above, on this website or a book you find through the Search bar below. If you don’t plan to purchase the book within 48 hours, bookmark the page on the Book List or this website and come back to it when you are ready to purchase.

Thanks for your support and happy reading!

The Art of Memoir, Mary Karr – A classic on the craft of writing memoir from one of the authors who inspired the memoir revolution.

Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative, Melissa Febos – A good book to read if you’re writing about trauma. It’s also good for learning how to write about other people.

Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence, Lisa Cron – A guide on how to use cognitive storytelling strategies to write great stories that captivate readers. The focus is on fiction, but it applies equally to memoir.

The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing & Life, Marion Roach Smith – Includes topics like choosing what to write about and truth in memoir.

Blueprint for a Memoir: How to Write a Memoir for the Marketplace, Jennie Nash – Questions by a top book coach that a memoir writer should answer before they start writing.

Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir, Beth Kephart – This book does a good job of talking about how to put emotion on the page in a way that feels true to a reader.

Not Available on Bookshop

Law and Authors: A Legal Handbook for Writers, Jacqueline D. Lipton – A look at laws about libel, slander, and defamation in a way that is understandable to writers.

Journey of Memoir: The Three Stages of Memoir Writing: A Workbook, Linda Joy Myers – A great workbook by the founder of the National Association of Memoir Writers. It is helpful at any stage in the memoir writing process.

The Magic of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writing Journey, Edited by Linda Joy Myers and Brooke Warner – Interviews with and essays by 50 memoir writers. A great resource.