How Scene Writing Helps You Lose Control (and Find Your Memoir’s Story)
Pay close attention to any surprising details or patterns in your memoir’s scenes—they often point to the story that really wants to be told.
https://janefriedman.com/how-scene-writing-helps-you-lose-control-and-find-your-memoirs-story/
Stop Counting Toothbrushes: Find Your Memoir’s Real Story
One memoir coach sees writers rush ahead into chapters and character detail before understanding: Why am I writing this exact story right now?
https://janefriedman.com/stop-counting-toothbrushes-find-your-memoirs-real-story/
The Question Every Memoirist Needs to Ask (But Almost No One Does)
Before trying to structure a memoir, you must understand how you’ve changed and what that process looked like—which can be hard to pinpoint.
https://janefriedman.com/the-question-every-memoirist-needs-to-ask-but-almost-no-one-does/
Ghosting Your Own Book: How to Cross the Finish Line When You Want to Run Away
Faced with pursuing publication that might reopen old wounds, one memoirist overcame the challenge with help from therapy, community, and AI.
https://janefriedman.com/ghosting-your-own-book-how-to-cross-the-finish-line-when-you-want-to-run-away/
How Compassion Changed My Writing
When memoirists grant compassion to themselves and others, acknowledging everyone’s hopes and struggles, it makes writing easier—and better.
https://janefriedman.com/how-compassion-changed-my-writing/
The Memoir Playbook I Wish More Writers Knew
Three practices separate successful memoirists from those who underestimate the writing craft.
https://janefriedman.com/the-memoir-playbook-i-wish-more-writers-knew/
Why Your Family Isn’t Supportive When You Publish Your Memoir
Lack of support might come from fears about their own privacy, not understanding the enormity of your achievement, and/or information overload.
https://janefriedman.com/why-your-family-isnt-supportive-when-you-publish-your-memoir/
What Is a Memoir’s Essential Question and Why Do You Need One?
The first question is often some version of “What happened to me?” Understanding it helps craft a story that speaks to your readers’ needs.
https://janefriedman.com/finding-your-memoirs-essential-question/
Finding the Right Tone for Your Memoir
Your story’s tone and content don’t have to match—and when they don’t, they can combine to create something greater than their sum.
https://janefriedman.com/finding-the-right-tone-for-your-memoir/
Why Your Memoir Feels Like Rambling (and How to Fix It)
Having analyzed over 1000 memoir manuscripts in a 15 year span, Wendy Dale found two linked components of powerful, plot-driven storytelling.
https://janefriedman.com/why-your-memoir-feels-like-rambling-and-how-to-fix-it/
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