The Memoir Workbook: A Step-by Step Guide to Help You Brainstorm, Organize, and Write Your Unique Story

by C.S. Lakin

Stories are powerful, and humans have been telling stories since the dawn of time.Do you feel driven to share what you've gone through and the insights you've learned in life? Do you long to tell your story but don't know where to start?

The Memoir Workbook will show you, step by step, all you need to know to tell a powerful and well-written memoir.

With pen in hand, you'll mine your memories and begin to put them in a coherent order inside the pages of the workbook. Passages from memoirs and writing prompts will help you get your creative juices flowing.

Whether you want to publish your story or write it for yourself, this unique workbook will help you learn the most effective ways to convey your life experiences onto the page.

Inside, you'll learn these essential aspects to memoir writing:


How to identify your unique story as well as the things that make your story universal
The many ways memoir can be structured, with examples to help you decide how to lay out your story
How to determine a beginning and an ending point
Ways to bring your story to life with sensory detail
What "voice" is and why it's important to write from the "mature self"
How to craft distilled dialogue that is engaging and sounds natural
How to protect yourself and others when you write your memoir
What theme is and why you need one
How to pick an appropriate title for your memoir
Writing a memoir is a journey of the heart. The Memoir Workbook is a light that guides you along the path, from start to finish.

Genres: Writing, Memoir

132 pages, Paperback

Published December 19, 2017

Reviews

[W. Whalin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Use This Workbook to Create Your Memoir

Memoir is a popular genre of books. Yet many people have no idea where to begin, how to organize and move forward to write their memoir. Book coach and author C.S. Lakin guides you every step of the way in THE MEMOIR WORKBOOK.

There is a beginning point for every memoir before anyone writes. C. S. Lakin helps you understand the necessary questions to answer, how to structure your memoir and determine the theme or heart of your story (Part 1). In Part 2, Lakin will help you know where to begin, how to put your memories in order, writing nuts and bolts, tone and voice and honest recollection. In Part 3, Lakin teaches writers cinematic technique, adding sensory detail to your writing, determining your character arc and how to write with authentic dialogue.

Every reader can write in the spaces provided throughout this book. I found this book filled with wise advice such as “Your memoir isn’t going to write itself. If you’re lacking in skills, seek out resources (classes, podcasts, books, workshops, etc.) to help you gain the needed skills or assistance. “ (Page 110)

A Seasoned professional has written THE MEMOIR WORKBOOK and I recommend it.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last memoir writing book I am reading before starting my writing class again, very much a workbook, very much for someone just starting out, but I still found it valuable. One of the things he wrote that I especially liked is that your memories are just that, memories, shadows, which you have survived so they no longer have any power over you. Another is the reminder to bring perspective, mature judgment to what you have learned, very different from judgmental. Filled with examples from talented authors, my book is covered with little post-it notes to remind me of salient points.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely helpful book. Lakin's voice is gentle and specific, that of a no-nonsense, no-whining friend stepping the reader through the thinking process of writing the truth, distilled from personal history. I loved the specific examples quoted from well known memoirs; they were appropriately chosen, and illustrated Lakin's points very concretely. My only complaint is that I would have liked the book to be longer - its 127 pages contain many empty pages provided for writing exercises, and I would love a more detailed treatment of several of the topics (e.g., dialog and timelines), which require special care in memoir. I bought this book for a friend who is writing a memoir, but it is so good that I will keep this copy and buy another for my friend.

[Anika Aze · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a comprehensive, step-by-step workbook for writing your memoir. I believe it is an ideal companion to beginning writers, especially if they have not read other how-to books on memoir writing. I had read over 7 books on the topic, so many things were already familiar to me. However, this book helped me identify the theme, a potentially effective conclusion and also the title of the memoir. So, I was very happy with the book.

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

C. S. Lakin knows how to teach people to write - period - and to tailor her message to the exact type of writing that the reader wishes to do. This is a small workbook-format book with lots of white space and designed for writing in the book (which is OK because you can do the exercises as you read if you wish). Lakin gets right to the point in a clear easy-to-follow style, and she inspires you along the way. A must-read for anyone wishing to, or thinking about writing a memoir. If you follow her advice, I am confident that you can get the job done and that you will do it well!