Episode Details

Have you been thinking about writing your memoir for years—but wondering whether you've waited too long?

You haven't.

In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry Kriseman explores why time may actually give memoir writers something they didn't have when they were younger: perspective.

Inspired by her recent Stories of Humanity interview, where she shared the words “It's never too late,” Kerry reflects on some of the biggest changes of her own 50s: publishing her first memoir, beginning a new career as a memoir teacher and coach, surviving two forms of cancer, and becoming an advocate for ovarian cancer awareness.

But this episode isn't only for writers over 50.

It's for anyone who has lived through an experience and reached the point where they're beginning to understand it differently.

Because memoir isn't simply about remembering what happened.

The event is what happened. The memoir is what you now understand about what happened.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• Why you don't need to be famous or have lived an extraordinary life to write a meaningful memoir
• Why ordinary doesn't mean insignificant
• How time and distance can give you valuable perspective on your experiences
• The difference between recording what happened and discovering what it meant
• Why “Who am I to write this?” is the wrong question
• How to recognize experiences that may belong in your memoir
• Why “someday” can keep aspiring authors from ever beginning
• Three questions to help you move from thinking about writing your memoir to actually starting

Three Questions to Help You Find Your Story

If you've been wondering what your memoir might actually be about, spend some time with these:

1. What experience from my life do I understand differently now than I did while I was living it?

2. What story do I keep returning to?

Pay attention to the memories that refuse to leave you alone.

3. If someone saw herself in my story, what would I hope she understood?

You don't need to have your entire memoir figured out before you begin.

You need a place to start.

Ready to Go From “Someday” to “I'm Writing It”?

Believing your story matters is one thing.

Knowing how to turn your experiences into a memoir—with a central story, structure, scenes, voice, vulnerability, and forward momentum—is something else.

That's why Kerry created Make Memoir Magic, her course for aspiring memoir writers who are ready to stop saying, “Someday I'm going to write my memoir,” and start saying:

“I'm writing it.”

Because you are not behind.

Your age isn't evidence that you've missed your chance.

The years you've lived may be precisely what gives you something worth saying.

It's never too late to become visible, use your voice, and write the memoir only you can write.

Learn more about Kerry's memoir writing resources, workshops, courses, and community.

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!