Writing a memoir likely will dredge up some difficult memories. For some writers, the pain of these memories might slow down the process of writing, like it did for Cheryl Landes, author of The Best I Can Do. It took Cheryl nearly two decades to complete her memoir. In this episode, Cheryl offers advice for structuring a memoir after years of being stuck. She also shares strategies for relieving tension and writing complex characters that the reader will cheer for.
Great Moments in the Episode
4:57 – 9:37 How painful memories lead to procrastination, and how to push through.
10:05 – 13:30 Creating a scene list to develop a structure for a memoir.
12:40 – 14:44 Identifying scenes that capture a reader’s imagination.
14:45 – 16:18 How to write a memoir in which readers will root for the protagonist (you).
16:47 – 18:22 Creating an invisible character in a memoir to create tension.
18:25 – 19:58 How simple scenes can become pivotal, profound scenes.
21:05 – 23:58 How to provide relief in an emotionally heavy memoir.
23:59 – 25:33 How to weave in flashbacks in a memoir.
25:34 – 28:18 How to honestly portray characters in your memoir without villainizing them.
28:19 – 30:33 How writing a book can change you and your perspective on the world.
30:34 – 34:09 Advice for writers who are stuck in the memoir writing process.
Words of the Episode
dolce far niente: (n) The 'sweetness of doing nothing'; pleasant relaxation in carefree idleness
inure: (v) to become accustom to something, especially something unpleasant.
Connect with Cheryl
Website: https://tabbycatco.com/about-cheryl-technical-writer/
Follow Journey Sixty6
https://www.journeysixty6.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/journeysixty6/
https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub
What Is a Developmental Edit? And Why It Matters to the Success of Your Book
Lisa Cron on the Misbelief of Your Protagonist and Why It Matters to Your Story
Cristen Iris on Thinking Like a Filmmaker When Writing Your Memoir
Emily Enger on Good Enough Book Marketing for Fiction and Creative Writers
View Your Time Set Aside for Writing as Sacred
Rosanne Bane on How to Overcome Writer’s Block
Bryan Cohen on How to Sell Your Self Published Book with Amazon Ads
Novelist Jaimie Engel on Becoming a Romcom Screenwriter
First-Time Novelist Linda Fifer on Losing Her First Draft and Her Persistence to Complete the Project
Getting Real about the Costs of Publishing Your Book
Novelist and Memoirist Donna Freitas on Identifying the ”Why” of Your Book
Writers Don’t Storytell, They Storyshow
Novelist Ann Hood on the Revision Process for Novels and Memoirs
Jennifer Bisbing on Editing for Writers Who Plan to Self Publish
How to Begin to Write Your Family Story
Book Publicist Julia Drake on the Three Key Ways to Promote Your Book
Platform-Building Expert Stephanie Chandler on Growing an Audience for Your Writing
Literary Agent Soumeya Roberts on How Agents Assess Your Manuscript
5 Ways to Build a Following for Your Writing
Book Agent Miriam Altshuler on Effective Query Letters and Aspiring Authors
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Navigating Life After 40
Science of Reading: The Podcast
Old Fashioned On Purpose
Financial Coaching for Women: How To Budget, Manage Money, Pay Off Debt, Save Money, Paycheck Plans
The Minimal Mom