Memoir Writing

Inspiration & Exploration

You've lived through things worth writing about — and memoir is how you turn those moments into stories other people actually want to read. Start by browsing r/Memoir on Reddit to see what topics other writers explore. Watch Mary Karr's short talks on YouTube; she's one of the best living memoirists and explains the form in plain language. Read a few essays on The Rumpus (therumpus.net) to get a feel for personal narrative at its sharpest. Don't worry about what your "big story" is yet — just notice which memories keep popping into your head. Those repeating flashes are usually your best material. Jot three of them down in a notebook. You're ready for the next step when you can name three specific memories you'd actually want to share with a reader.

Tools & Techniques

Good memoir doesn't just tell what happened — it shows the scene so readers feel like they were there. The two tools you'll use most are sensory detail (what did it smell like? sound like?) and the "two-track" technique: what was happening then versus what do you understand now. Watch free Gotham Writers Workshop videos on YouTube for quick craft lessons. Download the free app Day One or just use Google Docs to keep a writing journal. Check out Natalie Goldberg's timed writing exercises — her method is perfect for loosening up your memory muscles. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write a single scene: one place, one moment, full sensory detail. You're ready for the next step when you can write a focused 200-word scene from memory without stopping to judge it.

First Creations

Now you write. Pick one memory from your list and turn it into a full draft — aim for 400–600 words. Don't edit as you go; just get the story out. The free website 750words.com is great for distraction-free writing and tracks your daily streak. After your first draft, read it aloud — your ears catch what your eyes miss, like clunky sentences or places where you skipped the good details. Post a short excerpt (100 words or less) to r/Memoir and ask for one piece of feedback. Salt Lake City's The King's English Bookshop hosts author events where local writers talk craft — check their calendar at kingsenglish.com. You're ready for the next step when you have one complete rough draft and at least one piece of outside feedback in hand.

Style Development

Every great memoirist has a distinct voice — the way they talk to the reader feels like one specific human being, not a textbook. Start noticing what makes your voice yours. Are you funny? Blunt? Do you use short punchy sentences or long winding ones? Read three memoirists back-to-back: try David Sedaris, Roxane Gay, and Trevor Noah. Notice how differently each one sounds. Then rewrite one paragraph of your draft three times in three different tones — serious, wry, and conversational. Listen to The Moth Radio Hour podcast to hear storytellers own their style out loud. Utah Arts & Events lists local memoir and storytelling slams where you can hear live voices in Salt Lake City. You're ready for the next step when you can describe your own voice in two sentences and point to a paragraph in your draft that proves it.

Refine Your Craft

Revision is where memoir actually becomes good — the first draft is just raw material. Print your piece and mark every sentence that is vague or tells instead of shows. Replace at least five of them with concrete sensory details. Check your pacing: does the story speed up at the right moments? Cut any sentence that doesn't earn its place. The Purdue OWL website (owl.purdue.edu) has free guides on narrative structure and revision. Join a free critique group on Scribophile.com to swap feedback with other writers. The Salt Lake City Public Library runs free writing workshops — check slcpl.org for the current schedule. You're ready for the next step when your revised draft has been read by at least two people outside your household who give you specific, scene-level feedback.

Portfolio Piece

Your portfolio piece is a polished, publication-ready memoir essay of 800–1,200 words. Run a final revision pass: check your opening line (does it hook immediately?), your ending (does it land with meaning, not just stop?), and your middle (does every scene move the story forward?). Format it cleanly in Google Docs or paste it into Hemingway App (hemingwayapp.com, free in browser) — Hemingway flags sentences that are too long or passive. Then submit it somewhere real: Brevity (brevitymag.com) publishes flash memoir, and Creative Nonfiction Magazine accepts emerging writers. Screenshot your submission confirmation. You've written a memoir essay from scratch, revised it with real feedback, and sent it into the world. You're ready for the next step when you have a submission confirmation email or a published link you can share with someone else.