Memoir

Have you ever heard a word that caused you to pause and reflect? For most of us, inspiration comes in small, unexpected packages. Memories can be triggered by a scent, a song, a photo, and, yes, even word prompts. My friend Beth Almond Ford, memoirist and teacher, recently commented on Facebook: “Many (all?!) of us…

It started with a photograph. My grandmother and her little brother are sitting in tall grass. She wore a bow in her hair that was as wide as her shoulders, and he wore a billowy white shirt. Both were squinting. The picture was old—faded sepia-toned, edges curled—and I couldn’t stop staring at it. Who took…

A few times a month, I get an email from FamilySearch.org saying, “We have found a new memory about…” and then the name of one of my ancestors. This type of info is pure gold for family historians. I enjoy getting these emails because I’m the defacto family historian and enjoy learning about my heritage…

The natural and easy way to start writing your memoir. The other day, I sat down intending to write about my first car. I made a cup of coffee, turned on Spotify, and opened my laptop. But as soon as that blank screen stared back at me, my mind went as blank as the page….

“My life isn’t interesting enough for a memoir,” he said, leaning back in his chair with a shrug. Around the room, heads nodded in agreement. It seemed they’d decided storytelling was reserved for the extraordinary—adventurers, innovators, world-changers—not for “ordinary” people like them. I smiled, resisting the urge to laugh. If only they knew: the magic…

Everyone’s life is a mix of moments—some unforgettable, others quietly shaping who we become. Writing a memoir is a chance to gather those threads and weave them into a story worth telling. It’s not just about putting your life in order; it’s about discovering what makes it extraordinary. Memoirs: More Than a Timeline A memoir…

Memoir Storytelling: A New Approach Memoir writing often conjures images of sprawling narratives, carefully woven timelines, and polished prose. While these traditional methods have their place, they can feel overwhelming, especially for those just beginning their storytelling journey. That’s where the Memoir Storytelling approach comes in—a fresh, intuitive way to write a memoir. You can…