Why Write Memoir? – Amy Lou Jenkins

Best-Selling Authors Tell You Why You Should Write Memoir

Writing a memoir is a powerful and transformative experience. I know that I’ve left a window into my life because I write and publish creative nonfiction. When I wondered “Why write a memoir?” I knew I had something to say that only I could say. I didn’t see my experience and my thoughts in books. Schooling predominantly exposed me to a lot of white rich men (Bless their hearts). They did have useful things to say, but they didn’t reflect the fullness of my history.

A few personal thoughts before we move on to quotes from our featured bestselling authors...

I wish I understood the lives of those who came before me. My understanding of the lives of my ancestors, even my parents, remains veiled. I know very little about my great grandparents’ life. Beyond the birth and death dates and census information–it’s all lost. I’ve learned that some of our family history may have been created to hide uncomfortable truths. Certainly, the values of my ancestors formed the culture that I grew up in, but personal access is gone.

I believe that when we whitewash truth we fail to create a culture that can tolerate nuance, understand differences, and generate compassion. An honest memoir can shift the culture towards love, critical thinking, and acceptance.

When a writer takes on memoir writing, they make meaning out of life experiences for the author and their readers. A memoir is a personal account of a specific period or aspect of someone’s life, offering readers a unique and intimate perspective on the world. When an author finds the themes and before-and-after story of the memoir, they make a thread for the reader to pull.

Readers can then feel that connection to their challenges. Memoirs can take many forms, from humorous anecdotes to serious reflections on life-changing events. They can be essay collections or a story that reads like a first-person novel. They can focus primarily on the life of the memoirist, or the author may tell the story of solving a research question. The memoirist can explore family history, science, travel, and more. Writers can show their readers what it feels like to not fit societal norms. Where do you want to take your reader?

A good time to write a memoir

Additionally, the publishing industry has seen a growing interest in memoirs in recent years, with memoirs becoming a popular genre for both writers and readers. In 2020, memoirs made up 24% of adult non-fiction book sales in the United States, according to the Association of American Publishers. Non-celebrity memoirs with gripping themes have been selling well. Write well and urge the reader to turn the page because you’ve given them the invitation to invest in thematic connections to their own lives.

So, why should you write memoir? What do bestselling authors have to say?

Why write memoir? To reflect on your life experiences

Writing a memoir is a chance to reflect on your life experiences, both the good and the bad. It’s an opportunity to revisit your memories and think about how they have shaped you as a person. Author and poet Maya Angelou once said, “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Writing a memoir can be a way to release that agony and find closure.

Why write memoir? To leave a legacy

Writing a memoir is also a way to leave a legacy for future generations. Your memoir can offer a window into a specific time and place, providing valuable insights into history, culture, and society. As the novelist Isabel Allende once said, “We all have an unsuspected reserve of strength inside that emerges when life puts us to the test.” Sharing your story can inspire others to find their own strength and resilience.

Why write memoir? To connect with others

Memoirs have the power to connect people across time and space. Your story may resonate with readers who have had similar experiences, offering them comfort and a sense of solidarity. Ta-Nehisi Coates once said, “You are not writing for yourself; you are writing for someone else, someone who is trying to figure out something that you already understand.” Writing a memoir can be a way to share your understanding and connect with others.

Why write memoir? To improve your writing skills

Writing a memoir can also be a way to improve your writing skills. By crafting a narrative out of your life experiences, you’ll learn how to structure a story, create compelling characters, and use language effectively. As the author Mary Karr said, “The great memoirs are a way of opening up a life and inviting others to step inside it.” To invite others into your life, you’ll need to hone your writing skills. These skills will also elevate your writing in whatever other genres you write in.

Why write memoir? To gain perspective

Finally, writing a memoir can be a way to gain perspective on your own life. You may discover new insights and understandings as you reflect on your experiences and try to make sense of them. As the memoirist Joan Didion once said, “I write entirely to find out what I’m thinking, what I’m looking at, what I see, and what it means.” Writing a memoir can be a way to clarify your thoughts and gain a deeper understanding of yourself.

Writing a memoir is a powerful and transformative experience that benefits both the author and their readers. By reflecting on your life experiences, leaving a legacy, connecting with others, improving your writing skills, and gaining perspective, you can create meaning for others from your life experience.