You Don't Know Who Needs Your Story

What if you're asking the wrong question about your memoir?

Many memoir writers wonder:

Is my story important enough?

Will anyone care?

Will anyone relate?

Does anyone need to hear this?

In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry shares three unexpected reminders she received in a single day about the power of words—and the impact our stories can have in ways we may never anticipate.

A client reminded her that being listened to and heard is a gift.

A reader shared what Kerry's memoir, Accidental First Lady, meant to her.

And a longtime reader of Kerry's newsletter took the time to write a letter explaining how one of her essays had impacted people beyond her own inbox.

These moments led Kerry to a powerful lesson for memoir writers:

You are not responsible for predicting who needs your story. You are responsible for telling it honestly.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why memoir writers often get stuck asking whether their story is "important enough"
• Why you can't predict exactly who will connect with your story
• How a reader's experience becomes part of the meaning of a memoir
• The question to ask instead of "Will anyone care?"
• Why your story may matter to someone for a reason you never anticipated
• A simple writing exercise to help you move past self-doubt and begin writing the story you've been dismissing

A Writing Prompt from This Episode

Think of one story you've been hesitating to write.

Complete these sentences:

I want to write this story because...

The part I'm most afraid to share is...

Someone who reads this might recognize...

You don't have to know exactly who needs your story.

You just have to be willing to tell it.

If you've been wondering whether your story is important enough to write, this episode is for you.

Because the story you keep dismissing as too ordinary, too personal, or too insignificant may be exactly the story someone else needs to hear.

Keep writing the stories only you can tell.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here. 

Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!