Telling the Truth About your Life
In a world where we are constantly being bombarded with subtle—and not so subtle—messages about who we ought to be, it is a bold statement to take a stand for personal truth and authenticity.
The telling of your stories is a revolutionary act.
—Sam Keen, Writer
One of the most transformative statements an individual can make is to tell his/her story with honesty and objectivity. At its best, this is what a memoir is—a statement that declares “this is who I am, who I think of myself as being.”
Develop Vivid Characters
- Are the characters your memoir going to bore—rather than impress—your readers?
- Are you at a loss—“Help! What can I do!”—about how to make the people in your memoir more interesting?
- Are you embarrassed by the “stick” characters you have presented? “She really was a complex person, but I don’t know how to show her that way.”
Lest you think that telling the truth is only about revealing scandals and unmasking abuses, let me assure you that it is more often about smaller issues, issues more within the realm of the everyday experience. [Free Membership required to read more. See below. ]
And now this one thing…
This post is one of over 500 informative, well-written articles we have made available to you on this site.
We’ve contributed to your writing success; now we ask you to contribute to the expansion of the memoir conversation.
By reposting this article on your blog or website or reposting on your favorite social media, you will inform your fellow memoir writers of the programs and services—many for free like the blogs—that are available at TheMemoirNetwork.com.
Thanks for your generosity. You rock.
An excellent entry Denis and one I agree with entirely.
Those stories that may reduce our respect or acceptance withing the norms of an unforgiving society can be extremely difficult to write. Those things that happened to us that were outside our control that we need to face can be just as daunting. I have written some of these and I have found it to be very therapeutic. It is best to write them for yourself at first and, as you reach acceptance of your self and your experiences, you will find it easier to share with others.
Denis, this issue is at the heart of memoir. When I was writing Green Rider, Thinking Horse, I wrestled with the truth about horse racing and the training these animals are subjected to. I was challenged to be truthful without being hurtful. I hope I did it, but there is a difference, isn’t there, between memoir and expose.