Q : I have so much material for my memoir. How do I sort out what to include and what to leave out?
A : This is the key problem a writer faces when constructing a non-fiction memoir. Here are six specific steps to consider when making your decisions:
1. First, skip to the end
Every memoir should be a journey of change and transformation. So before filling in the details of a chapter-by-chapter outline, I recommend that you think first about the ending.
Once you know the climax, where you wind up, you’ll know better what the story is and where to begin. Start by asking yourself:
- Why am I writing this precisely now?
- What’s the point I’m trying to make?
- Where am I going with this story?
2. Next, identify the biggest change in your life
Since memoirs are all about challenges, changes, turning points and reaching some new level, plateau, or climactic moment in your life, what’s the dramatic turbulence that’s inspired this memoir? Some possibilities include:
- Coming of age
- Escaping or emigrating from one country to another
- Achieving independence
- Finding love
- Overcoming poverty, illness, anger, abuse
3. Consider what happened before your birth
What about your parents, grandparents, ancestors and other significant influences from the past? How did they influence who you are? Think about your conscious and unconscious attitudes, fears, and values.
4. Outline a prologue, act one, act two, and act three
It’s the narrative arc again, as I discussed recently here. The basic point of the outline is to create a coherent linear structure for the events of your life.
You can reorganize the outline so it starts with a bang at some significant turning point, then flashes back to the very beginning. This is optional, however, and not a formulaic requirement.
5. Go through the outline and delete at least half of it
Avoid the kitchen sink school of writing. Include only those events and characters which directly relate and provide meaning to the point you want to make: how you grew, developed, changed.
6. Now you’re ready to start writing
Selling this memoir, of course, depends on the literary quality of the writing and excellence of the story. The only exception to that requirement is for famous celebrities of whom everyone has already heard.
But for the rest of us – we have to be smarter, more selective, more organized, and most of all know how and why we got from infancy to the wonderful and inspiring denouement of now.
Leslie,
Whether or not you have a narrative arc is not the primary reason an agent will decide to take you on or not. Agents are thinking, plain and simple, “Can I sell this to an acquisitions editor I know?” They’re not worrying about some literary ideal.
Your job, therefore, is to write an appealing proposal that includes some of your best stories, particularly those that reveal something new and original about the most famous stars. For example, what do you mean by “My birth father was Leslie Howard…” Sounds like a secret to be revealed.
Alan, I’ve written a memoir about growing up in Hollywood’s so-called Golden Era. My parents were actors, transplants from the Broadway stage in the early 1930’s. My birth father was Leslie Howard (Ashley, in “Gone With the Wind”), and our home in Beverly Hills had two functions: as our “home,” of course, and as the neighborhood “local” (i.e. pub), where dozens of celebrities — actors, writers, directors from that marvelous era would drop by for a drink and scintillating conversation. My “memoir” does NOT have a narrative arc; it is a series of snapshots — though some are ten or so pages in length, depending on the depth of the relationship with my parents (Leslie Howard & Bing Crosby are examples of the latter). The anecdotes are real — some even reveal “secrets” about a few of them (NOT TABLOID TRASH, which I abhor) … but humorous and often affectionate memories in the re-telling. Characters range from Gable, Lombard and Crawford, to the Algonquin Round Table writers, out west for a studio assignment. “You had to be there” is highly readable, but no narrative arc. Alan, how do I convince an agent that not every memoir needs one?
I’m glad to have found your website. It’s very helpful as I’m in the middle of wrapping up my memoir and polishing up a proposal. Thank you for your very practical and effective guidance.
Patty
With bad luck as a steadfast companion-three friends traveling across Europe not only find themselves as repeat crime victims, and having personal encounters with violence,injury, even death on their journey-they also find themselves.
Hello, my name is Christopher Geltemeyer.
I am writing a true story about my experience with two friends. As we took a back pack trip across Europe, in the span of four weeks one of my companions was mugged twice(injured once), we were accused of killing a man, and we had most of our belongings stolen while we slept on a train-among other things. The trip- and the experience itself- was way more good than bad. We are wiser and like brothers and it was more valuable than money.
My dilemma at this point is that I’ve had a couple friends read my story and I think I need to improve the arc of the story,scenic description, and character development. Any advice?
I Google-ed “protagonal arc” and came up with your “narrative arc,” same thing ? same idea ? I think I can use it – but will it keep me on the right/write – lol – track ? I’m taking a community playwriting seminar – and need all the help I can get. Thanks, Kate
Mr. Rinzler,
Thank you so much! Am in the middle of a memoir-style novel and felt it slipping away from me. Your six steps made so much sense, were so straight-forward that I feel energized, ready to re-work what needs re-working. Your advice feels like the constructive criticism received from my favorite expository writing prof at the University of Iowa–more years ago than I care to admit. Thank you again.
Alan< I thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I have been struggling trying to formulate my thoughts in a constructive way. I've been in classes that has motivated me to write my story. Now your guidelines are so well appreciated. I expect to write that winning book that will inspire people all over. Blessings, love, and lght,
B
Hi Liz,
CV means Curriculum Vitae, a summation of your personal and professional background in a more academic style than the usual resume or author “platform”. Search on-line for standard templates.
You can also read this post on what publishers want in a proposal: https://alanrinzler.com/2008/06/28/the-book-proposal-heres-what-publishers-want/. It touches on some of the points on your list.
But from what your agent has requested I’d recommend that before sending anything back to him, you consider hiring a professional developmental editor to help you put together a proper proposal and, most importantly, to work with you on revising the manuscript to develop the narrative arc, your character and other elements as necessary to bring it to the level an agent and publisher would expect.
Hi Alan,
I have ‘finished’ my autobiography and have found one of the best literary agents. When he received my manuscript he has given a lot of things to do to put my book right.
He commented that I was no longer a household name and that it is too epidsodic. It needs stronger narrative arc and my own character to be fully realised. If I am to work with him I must:
1. 1 page synopsis highlighting with bullet points what makes the book new and special
2. 1 page cv
3. 1 page with a few lines on the five most recent competing and comparable books giving author, title publisher and date of publication together with a note on how the books realte to the authors own work.
4. i page on sources used
5. 1 page on any specialist marketing outlets ie websites, magazines etc
6. 1 page synopsis per chapter
So there we are! Not sure what cv means.
Where to I begin to deliver the above
Many thanks, Liz
I would like to personally thank you for the critical information. I graduated with my Masters degree about two years ago and I have been so inspired to write a story of my life. It is very unique just like everyones life. So thanks for assisting me with this information as I know I will do well.
This is a perfect flashback and outline for what I needed in college. Thank you. It helped a lot with clearing out multiple forms of informations
It is so nice this is up. I can finish my assignment in my creative writing class. Yeeeppp!!! Thank you
Thanks for your exceptional short and sweet stepping stone to structuring for memoir…
Iris Sankey Lewis
Belizean/AfroAmerican
Thank You for your advice. I am going to seriously attempt to do what I have wanted to do all of my life, write. You have given me the courage to go for it. Hopefully 65 is not too late.
Thank you so much for this advice. It is precisely what I need.