Memoir Authors discussion

Hello friends: Curious about what you think about word count in a memoir. I've cut out a few chapters from my book and it's getting slimmer, and it's with my editor now, and of course, he's all about tightening. :)

How long do you all think a memoir should be? Mine's humor, about growing up in a big Catholic family. Kind of a light entertaining read...similar to A Girl Named Zippy (Haven Kimmel), so it's not super long. What are your thoughts? ~sherri

Hi, Sherri: When I did my research while writing my memoir, I found the range of 80,000-100,000 words to be suitable. Anything over that is a bit too much; you wouldn't want to end up with a book like Bill Clinton's! Good luck to you!

Depending on how engrossing the story is - I would prefer to err on the shorter side, say 50,000-80,000. Unless it reads like a novel, in which case 80.000-100,000.

I agree - about 50,000-80,000 words is enough. It needs to be tight.

When I was working on my memoir (after I'd written around 90,000 words) I was advised that a good length was 60k. I managed to cut it back to 66k. When it was picked up by Anaiah Press, my editor cut a bit more during the development edit, but she never mentioned the actual word count. on the other hand, she cut some sections because "this is a cute story but it doesn't fit in with your overall purpose." Best wishes with your project.

Well mine at this point is right at 50k. I've cut a few chapters that were a bit off the track... it'll be a quick entertaining read. Thank you all! ~sherri

Mine hit 70k and just felt right to end there.

Hi Sherri - I think all the word count suggestions are about right for memoir. Best wishes!

Jim wrote: "Mine hit 70k and just felt right to end there."
hi jim- I just looked at your book and it looks good. I have it on my want to read list. Thanks for the response! :) Sherri

Heather wrote: "Hi Sherri - I think all the word count suggestions are about right for memoir. Best wishes!"

thank you Heather! Mine is never a dull moment (full of cruel nuns, tormenting big brothers, and a non-coddling mom) so hopefully the length will be satisfying to most readers. :) sherri

Sherri wrote: "Well mine at this point is right at 50k. I've cut a few chapters that were a bit off the track... it'll be a quick entertaining read. Thank you all! ~sherri"

That's about where mine is as well. When I get hung up on the word count I write a bunch of crap to fill in the space. I'm going to focus on telling the story well and let the word count fall where it may.

Deedra wrote: "Sherri wrote: "Well mine at this point is right at 50k. I've cut a few chapters that were a bit off the track... it'll be a quick entertaining read. Thank you all! ~sherri"

That's about where mine..."

Yes, when I have my moments of "Well, it's not this, and it's not that," I have to tell myself, "it is what it is, and that's ok..." I read Carrie Fisher's book a while ago, the one where she speaks mostly about her repaired relationship with her dad (Eddie Fisher) and it was extremely short. But then again, she's Carrie Fisher!

My memoir started at 108K. It's now down to 108K. It seems I'm teetering out there.

I am writing and grabbing more memories as they come. Poetry-I have many poems that haven't been shared or edited. Please recommend a group for that?

Still working on mine and am currently over 28, 000? Does that seem too short?

Jamie wrote: "Still working on mine and am currently over 28, 000? Does that seem too short?"

I just finished a memoir about a particular thread in my life. So very focused and tight. It's ended up at 35k words. I resisted the temptation to "pad it out" as the tale would of been diluted somewhat. I'm not going through a publisher, in any case, and will go down a self-publishing route.

I suggest you get someone who is not so familiar with your thread to read what you have. If there are too many gaps or clarification questions, you may need to write more.

Atmrmartingmail.Com wrote: "I suggest you get someone who is not so familiar with your thread to read what you have. If there are too many gaps or clarification questions, you may need to write more."

Have done, thanks.

Paul wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Still working on mine and am currently over 28, 000? Does that seem too short?"

I just finished a memoir about a particular thread in my life. So very focused and tight. It's ended u..."

Ultimately it is not the word count that matters but whether the tale has been adequately conveyed. The only proviso would be to try and not make it excessively long: large percentage of readers now do not have the attention spans of former generations.