Memoir Authors discussion

For my current project, I'm starting each chapter with a vivid moment told in present tense. I use a special font for the present-tense paragraphs. The bulk of the chapter is then written in past tense, filling in the back story for the lead-in and moving on to the following action, interpretation, etc. I like this approach because I think it puts the reader more in the scene for the most important event in each chapter and encourages the reader to read further. I'm wondering what other memoirists think about this approach. Have you tried it yourself? Have you read other memoirs that mix tenses in this way? Do I risk confusing readers?

I'd be interested in seeing an example if you're up for sharing because I'm looking for a fresh approach to a new memoir project I'm undertaking.

Sounds interesting. It has a greater potential for confusing the reader than sticking to one tense, but if done well could add sparkle.

Tucker, I'll see what I can post that's a good illustration but not too long. Look for something within the coming week.

Hello James, I too would like to see an example. I wrote my memoir (The Coconut Latitudes) and it worked well, but I can see that mixing it up might also work. Look forward to seeing a piece so I can better respond.

I used present tense in writing "Old Man on Campus." My focus was on what it was like day to day when I went back to college in my fifties with students less than half my age to become a PA. I wanted to talk about both the experiences and how I felt about them so that readers could put themselves into the story.

The first chapter starts with me backing out of the driveway and then, as I drive the 2 hours to my new apartment, I tell the story of my life up until then in the past tense, like I am recounting something for the reader. I use thing I'm seeing in the present to anchor the flashbacks.

The bulk of the book takes life day by day in the present tense, which makes it easier to avoid coloring experiences with what I would learn later.

The last chapter covers what happened after my year away and is told in the past tense. This let me bridge to my life today and the longer term effects of my experience at school.

It took a while to get this right, but it enabled me to focus on the events of that year, while providing a mechanism for bridging some of the time before and after the bulk of the memoir.

The book is on Amazon and the free part covers the ride to school, so you can get a picture of how I did it.

Good luck!

I'm using the same approach for Wailing Wall. This project covers the ten days after my son died and each chapter begins with a section in present tense. The rest of each chapter is context-building and reflection. I hadn't thought of making it in a different font, though (good idea!). I agree with the previous comment - risky, but worth it if you pull it off.

Thanks to all who've commented. Your thoughts are encouraging me to continue along the path I've started, i.e., beginning each chapter with a present-tense moment. I'll post an example later this week.

Elizabeth,

The book comes full circle at the end, with me working as a PA and going back to lecture at the school I graduated from.

If you read it, I hope you enjoy it.

Barry