Technique: the tools of your memoir writing “trade” – The Memoir Network | RSS

Writing Your Memoir Regularly is Key to Success

Denis Ledoux — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 08:00:13 +0000

Success is built on daily writing habits. As has been bandied about and attributed to many different speakers and writers, it is said that “you go to the office every day for 20 years, and before you know it, you are an overnight success.” Well, we can apply that bit of humor as an insight […]

Authority/Author: words with the same roots

Denis Ledoux — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:30:49 +0000

Four Steps to Assuming Your Writing Authority To those who struggle with whether they should write or continue to write a memoir, let me be clear: no one can give you the writing authority to record your story, to tell the truth about your life. You are the only person who can do that (Of […]

The Work of Writing a Memoir Can Be Hard, But You Can Succeed!

Denis Ledoux — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:10:14 +0000

No one said it would be easy to show up and do the work of writing a book! “This is hard,” you think as you look at your production. “perhaps I’m not cut out for this.” (more…)

A memoir is elevated by its theme not by its topic.

Denis Ledoux — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 20:07:58 +0000

It is the development of a theme that makes a memoir, even of ordinary topics, come through as interesting and even memorable. The topic is the bare bones of what you say in your book, and the theme is your “take” on what you say. The theme is necessarily wispy and even open to various […]

Motivation or Writing Discipline: which will sooner see you to the finish line?

Denis Ledoux — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 20:04:52 +0000

“I just don’t feel motivated to write,” you say struggling with writing discipline . “I want to get my book written and out in the world but I’m just not motivated. I won’t write today.” Alternatively, what if you don’t feel like writing but you sat down at your computer and reread some pages of […]

Bringing Discipline in Memoir Writing

Denis Ledoux — Mon, 12 May 2025 15:30:27 +0000

A big part of success is showing up and doing the work. The same is true in writing a memoir. To succeed you have to do some writing; you have to demonstrate some discipline, some nose to the grindstone. Now the writing process is not straightforward or linear and there are many unexpected twists and […]

Your Memoir’s “BIG WHY”—A Foundational Concept

Denis Ledoux — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000

What is your memoir’s BIG WHY? Without a BIG WHY, your memoir will not shine. You story will be smaller than it needs to be. (more…)

No stick characters allowed!

Denis Ledoux — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 16:20:23 +0000

Your characters are the people in your life, don’t write them as “stick characters” in your memoir. Write them clearly and forcefully. (more…)

Write Better Memoir Dialog: 7 Pillars (Proven and Easy to Do!)

Denis Ledoux — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 18:13:20 +0000

Seven easy, proven techniques to write better memoir dialog. How much dialog do you include and when? Follow these 7 pillars for success. (more…)

Monday Focus: Avoid this big mistake! Don’t slight the soul of your story.

Denis Ledoux — Mon, 20 May 2024 15:27:52 +0000

Your theme is the soul of your story, the element that elevates it from a recitation of facts to a statement. But don’t make this mistake! (more…)