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Memoir: Conversations and Craft
Memoir opens doors we could never ordinarily walk through--into the lives of Olympians, queens, victims of war and other tragedies, teenage rock stars, former streetwalkers or geishas--along with the doors to the lives of extraordinary/ordinary people. The best memoirs are maps of the heart and mind, and Marjorie Simmins invites you to explore the map of your own life. Here are the probing questions and dynamic writing ideas, coupled with inspirational interviews with best-selling memoirists, to light your own imagination afire. How do you access the details of your earliest memories, make them immediate and dramatic? How do you drive the story forward? How do you make a stranger care about your life?
Memoir: Conversations and Craft is intended for any reader or writer who is fascinated by the renegade memoir form--personal life stories that demand to be read, refuse to be forgotten. Whether you wish to compile memories from childhood to share with grandchildren, or whether you burn with the makings of a literary memoir, this reflection on writing can galvanize you.
Donna Morrissey, Linden MacIntyre, Plum Johnson, Lawrence Hill, Edmund Metatawabin, Diane Schoemperlen, and Claire Mowat--some of Canada's top fiction and non-fiction writers--speak with candour, humour, and compassion about their journeys to memoir. Often touching, always helpful and frank, the interviews cover a broad spectrum of the writing experience. The time to write a memoir is always now--and the benefits are transformative.
Memoir: Conversations and Craft is intended for any reader or writer who is fascinated by the renegade memoir form--personal life stories that demand to be read, refuse to be forgotten. Whether you wish to compile memories from childhood to share with grandchildren, or whether you burn with the makings of a literary memoir, this reflection on writing can galvanize you.
Donna Morrissey, Linden MacIntyre, Plum Johnson, Lawrence Hill, Edmund Metatawabin, Diane Schoemperlen, and Claire Mowat--some of Canada's top fiction and non-fiction writers--speak with candour, humour, and compassion about their journeys to memoir. Often touching, always helpful and frank, the interviews cover a broad spectrum of the writing experience. The time to write a memoir is always now--and the benefits are transformative.
260 pages, Paperback
Published April 3, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 16, 2020
I’m happy that I bought and read this book, though a bit surprised that I did. Perhaps misapprehending the genre, I have always avoided memoir – or what I thought memoir was/is.
Curmudgeonly as it will sound, I would much rather read fiction, or impersonal non-fiction (history, culture, the like), for I am not at all interested in reading about the real lives of others, least of all reading about what those others think about their lives. Nor do I buy biographies. Am I a terrible person?
HOWEVER, I did buy this book and I’m surprisingly happy that I did. It reminded me that not all memoir is biographical, that there is a role for fiction in memoir and vice versa.
Marjorie Simmins, and some of her interviewees, suggest that Memoir is all the rage these days. I guess her eye-popping sixteen-page bibliography bears that out. I suppose that everyone but me knew that such a plethora of self-writing exists, and it may explain CBC’s fascination with confessional podcast programming of late. I just thought it was a cost-cutting thing.
As an editor, I’m not sure that I would have structured the text in quite the same way, but, be that as it may, I did find it enlightening and inspiring – not in the way that someone’s life experiences are supposed to inspire me, but in the way that I have permission to allow my own life’s experiences leak into my writing. Look out Riverview High School, I’m coming to getcha!
Seriously, I misjudged the both the genre and the book and I’m happy that Simmins sets me on a more considerate path.
Curmudgeonly as it will sound, I would much rather read fiction, or impersonal non-fiction (history, culture, the like), for I am not at all interested in reading about the real lives of others, least of all reading about what those others think about their lives. Nor do I buy biographies. Am I a terrible person?
HOWEVER, I did buy this book and I’m surprisingly happy that I did. It reminded me that not all memoir is biographical, that there is a role for fiction in memoir and vice versa.
Marjorie Simmins, and some of her interviewees, suggest that Memoir is all the rage these days. I guess her eye-popping sixteen-page bibliography bears that out. I suppose that everyone but me knew that such a plethora of self-writing exists, and it may explain CBC’s fascination with confessional podcast programming of late. I just thought it was a cost-cutting thing.
As an editor, I’m not sure that I would have structured the text in quite the same way, but, be that as it may, I did find it enlightening and inspiring – not in the way that someone’s life experiences are supposed to inspire me, but in the way that I have permission to allow my own life’s experiences leak into my writing. Look out Riverview High School, I’m coming to getcha!
Seriously, I misjudged the both the genre and the book and I’m happy that Simmins sets me on a more considerate path.
February 4, 2025
Marjorie Simmins Memoir: Conversations and Craft offers an inspiring and practical guide for anyone embarking on the journey of memoir writing, especially those in retirement. Drawing on her interviews with notable Canadian authors, Simmins delivers a rich tapestry of advice, anecdotes, and techniques to help aspiring writers craft authentic and meaningful memoirs.
Whether you are writing for self-discovery or to preserve a family legacy, this book blends personal reflection with actionable advice, making it a valuable resource for new and experienced memoirists alike. Below are five key ideas for writing a compelling memoir.
Authenticity is Key
Simmins emphasizes that memoirs thrive on emotional truth. Rather than striving for perfection, writers should embrace vulnerability and honesty, allowing their authentic voice to guide the narrative.
Write to Discover Yourself
Many writers don’t fully understand their own stories until they begin the process. Simmins suggests that writing is a journey of discovery, where patterns and deeper meanings emerge through reflection and storytelling.
Find Your Narrative Arc
While memoirs are based on real life, they still require structure. Simmins advises identifying key turning points, conflicts, and moments of transformation to create a compelling and coherent narrative arc.
Research Enhances Memory
Even when recounting personal experiences, research plays a crucial role. Conversations with family members, reviewing photos, and historical context can enrich the memoir, lending depth and accuracy to recollections.
Editing is Your Best Friend
According to Simmins, first drafts are about capturing raw emotion and ideas. The true artistry of memoir writing lies in the revision process, where clarity, flow, and narrative focus take shape.
Simmins believes community is crucial. Connect with other memoir writers for feedback, encouragement, and accountability. Simmins highlights the importance of writer circles and workshops.
Also start small. Begin with short essays or scenes. These can later form the building blocks of a full memoir.
And embrace life’s paradoxes. Memoirs are most engaging when they capture the complexities of life, its contradictions, humor, and tragedies.
In conclusion, Memoir: Conversations and Craft is more than a how-to guide, it’s a motivational companion that encourages writers to honor their stories and embrace the transformative power of memoir writing. Simmins’ conversational approach, combined with insights from seasoned authors, makes this a must-read for anyone looking to preserve their life’s journey.
Whether you’re already writing or just starting to think about it, this book offers a blend of inspiration and practical advice tailored for your creative exploration.
If you’re exploring memoir writing after 60, be sure to watch my latest video, Why People Over 60 Should Start Their Memoir, on YouTube!
Visit my Linktree site on: https://linktr.ee/timelesstales
Whether you are writing for self-discovery or to preserve a family legacy, this book blends personal reflection with actionable advice, making it a valuable resource for new and experienced memoirists alike. Below are five key ideas for writing a compelling memoir.
Authenticity is Key
Simmins emphasizes that memoirs thrive on emotional truth. Rather than striving for perfection, writers should embrace vulnerability and honesty, allowing their authentic voice to guide the narrative.
Write to Discover Yourself
Many writers don’t fully understand their own stories until they begin the process. Simmins suggests that writing is a journey of discovery, where patterns and deeper meanings emerge through reflection and storytelling.
Find Your Narrative Arc
While memoirs are based on real life, they still require structure. Simmins advises identifying key turning points, conflicts, and moments of transformation to create a compelling and coherent narrative arc.
Research Enhances Memory
Even when recounting personal experiences, research plays a crucial role. Conversations with family members, reviewing photos, and historical context can enrich the memoir, lending depth and accuracy to recollections.
Editing is Your Best Friend
According to Simmins, first drafts are about capturing raw emotion and ideas. The true artistry of memoir writing lies in the revision process, where clarity, flow, and narrative focus take shape.
Simmins believes community is crucial. Connect with other memoir writers for feedback, encouragement, and accountability. Simmins highlights the importance of writer circles and workshops.
Also start small. Begin with short essays or scenes. These can later form the building blocks of a full memoir.
And embrace life’s paradoxes. Memoirs are most engaging when they capture the complexities of life, its contradictions, humor, and tragedies.
In conclusion, Memoir: Conversations and Craft is more than a how-to guide, it’s a motivational companion that encourages writers to honor their stories and embrace the transformative power of memoir writing. Simmins’ conversational approach, combined with insights from seasoned authors, makes this a must-read for anyone looking to preserve their life’s journey.
Whether you’re already writing or just starting to think about it, this book offers a blend of inspiration and practical advice tailored for your creative exploration.
If you’re exploring memoir writing after 60, be sure to watch my latest video, Why People Over 60 Should Start Their Memoir, on YouTube!
Visit my Linktree site on: https://linktr.ee/timelesstales
June 30, 2023
A terrific combination of workshop, thought provoking interviews and the celebration of the memoir form in general.
An interesting read I'll refer back to frequently to give me the boost to finish my own memoir. If you ever thought of writing your own story, or simply love a new look at celebrated Canadian authors, this book is for you.
An interesting read I'll refer back to frequently to give me the boost to finish my own memoir. If you ever thought of writing your own story, or simply love a new look at celebrated Canadian authors, this book is for you.
February 10, 2021
An excellent book that defines the different kinds of memoir writing. I especially enjoyed the interviews with people who have written a memoir.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews