#memoirwriting — Public Fediverse posts

Heavy Wet Snow

https://senseofthen.com/2026/10/07/heavy-wet-snow/

Save a family saying with the moment it belonged to.

I develop MemoirWell. This exercise was prepared with AI assistance; the example is fictional.

A familiar phrase can preserve a voice from childhood. Its meaning at home and its wider origin are separate questions.

Ask a willing relative:
• What words do you remember?
• Who used them, and in what situation?
• What did you understand them to mean then?
• Can you remember one occasion, or is it a usual scene?

Keep remembered wording labelled as remembered. If the phrase was in another language, preserve those words and add a separate explanation. Name the person offering the translation; mark uncertain spelling rather than silently correcting it.

Fictional example:
Jo remembers her uncle saying “Give the day a chair” when a visitor arrived. She understood it as an invitation to sit and stop rushing. She cannot place one particular visit or say where he learned the phrase.

A faithful note keeps those limits. “An old village proverb passed down for generations” would add an origin and history Jo did not supply.

Copy this small record:
WORDS, AS REMEMBERED:
REMEMBERED BY / DATE RECORDED:
WHO SAID IT / WHEN IT WAS USED:
WHAT THE PERSON REMEMBERING IT UNDERSTOOD:
TRANSLATION OR SPELLING QUESTIONS:
SOURCE TO CHECK / WHO MAY READ IT:

Read the note back together. Another relative's version can sit beside it under their name. A similar phrase found online is a lead, not proof of where your family learned it.

Our free childhood-home guide offers more prompts for building a small scene around a remembered place:
https://memoirwell.com/guide/childhood-home-memory-prompts?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=family_saying

#FamilyHistory #MemoirWriting

Scattered Interpretations: The Difference Between Remembering and Writing in Memoir

Author Georgine Hodgkinson breaks down the difference between remembering and writing in memoir, including the variability of memory.
The post Scattered Interpretations: The Difference Between Remembering and Writing in Memoir appeared first on Writer's Digest.
https://www.writersdigest.com/scattered-interpretations-the-difference-between-remembering-and-writing-in-memoir

#Memoir #PersonalWriting #WriteBetterNonfiction #memoir #MemoirWriting

A family history book can start with one page, not a complete family tree.

I develop MemoirWell. Here is a small exercise for the moment when you have plenty of notes but no first chapter.

Choose one person, one place and one short period. Give the page a working title: “The first winter in the new house,” for example. Then make four blocks:

1. What happened. Write 100–200 words in plain language. Describe only what your notes support. A remembered routine is useful; it need not become a dramatic scene.

2. What supports it. Give each source a short number. Record who told you, when you spoke, or which photograph or document you used. Keep enough detail to find it again.

3. What remains uncertain. Put the gap on the page instead of silently resolving it. “The date is not yet known” is a useful note. Two relatives can remember the same event differently.

4. Who should review it. Ask the storyteller to check wording and choose the audience before you share a copy. Accurate does not automatically mean suitable for public sharing.

Fictional example:
“Mara remembers taking the bus to her first job during the winter [1]. A dated photograph places her outside the shop in February 1962 [2]. We have not established when she started work.”

[1] Fictional interview note: Mara, 12 May 2026.
[2] Fictional photograph with a February 1962 date on the reverse.

The photo supports her presence, not her start date. That distinction can stay in a readable family book.

Finish by naming one next question: “What do you remember about your first day?” Save this page with its notes. You now have a chapter you can check, rather than a whole life you must finish at once.

Our updated guide includes a worked contents page and a free one-page chapter worksheet; no signup needed:
https://memoirwell.com/guide/how-to-write-a-family-history-book?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=first_family_chapter

Written with AI assistance. #FamilyHistory #MemoirWriting

Before giving someone a life-story gift, plan the first conversation.

I develop MemoirWell. Here is a small decision exercise for families considering any memoir gift—not a claim that one format suits everyone.

Write down five answers together:

1. Who wants the story recorded? Ask the storyteller first. “No” and “not now” are complete answers; a gift should not create an obligation.

2. What would feel comfortable for ten minutes: handwriting, typing, a phone conversation or sitting together? Try that format before committing to a long schedule.

3. Who will do the work around the story? Name the person who sets things up, types or checks the notes, and keeps a copy. “The family will help” is harder to act on than one agreed task.

4. What is the actual gift-day result? An invitation to begin, one reviewed page, an audio recording and a finished printed book are different promises. Check the chosen service's printing and delivery details separately.

5. Who may see it? Agree on the audience before sharing. The storyteller should be able to correct the text and leave out a detail without explaining why.

A no-cost starting card could say:
“If you would enjoy it, let's spend ten minutes on one memory you choose. I can take notes, then bring them back for you to correct. You decide whether we keep or share them.”

Pick a time only if they want to. One paragraph can be a complete gift; a whole book is not a requirement.

Our disclosed comparison explains writing, phone, interview and do-it-yourself formats, including MemoirWell's limits:
https://memoirwell.com/compare/life-story-gifts-for-parents-and-grandparents

Written with AI assistance. #FamilyHistory #MemoirWriting

I develop MemoirWell. One useful way to review an AI-written life story is to check what each sentence added—not just whether it reads well.

A fictional source note:
“In those days I worked at the station. I don't remember why I left.”

A fictional draft:
“In 1978, disillusioned with the long hours, I resigned.”

That smooth sentence added a year, a feeling, working conditions and a reason for leaving. Even “resigned” is more specific than “left.” None is established by the source note.

Try this on one paragraph:
1. Underline names, dates, places and relationships.
2. Circle explanations such as “because,” “realized” or “decided.” Check whether the narrator actually supplied the motive.
3. Compare quoted speech with the recording. Label remembered wording or paraphrase it.
4. Keep uncertainty visible. Ask, qualify or remove; don't repair a gap with a plausible detail.
5. Re-read the changed prose. Ticking a fact off a list is not proof that the sentence was fixed.

For this example, retaining the two plain source sentences is already a responsible edit. A narrator may add more later; the software should not supply their missing reason.

Then make a separate decision about who may read the story. An accurate detail can still be private.

Our guide includes a longer review checklist and a synthetic walkthrough:
https://memoirwell.com/guide/how-to-review-and-correct-an-ai-memoir-draft

Written with AI assistance. #FamilyHistory #MemoirWriting

I develop MemoirWell. Here is a small writing exercise from our childhood-memory guide: describe coming through one familiar doorway.

Choose a home and a loose period, such as “the apartment before high school.” Then try three lines:

1. Where did your bag, shoes or coat usually go?
2. What did you do next, and who else was there?
3. Which detail can you describe without filling the gaps?

If you remember a routine rather than one particular afternoon, call it a routine. A list of fragments is enough; you do not have to turn it into a polished scene.

Fictional example: “I left my bag under the table and waited for my brother. I kept looking toward the hallway. I cannot place the year.”

Keep later evidence separate: “The photo shows…” or “My sister remembers…” If your accounts differ, save both with the speaker's name. The exercise organizes recollections; it cannot verify them or recover a forgotten event.

Try a school corridor or a neighbor's porch if home is not a place you want to revisit. You can stop at any point.

Full prompts and a 15-minute version: https://memoirwell.com/guide/childhood-home-memory-prompts

Written with AI assistance. #FamilyHistory #MemoirWriting

How My Students Inspired Me to Write My Memoir

Author Amy Smyth Miller shares how teaching fourth- and fifth-grade students how to write inspired her to take on her memoir.
The post How My Students Inspired Me to Write My Memoir appeared first on Writer's Digest.
https://www.writersdigest.com/how-my-students-inspired-me-to-write-my-memoir

#Memoir #PersonalWriting #WriteBetterNonfiction #inspiration #MemoirWriting

Poetry as Bridge: What Writing Poems With Strangers Across Five Continents Taught Me About Humanity

Author and poetry organizer Ebony Walden shares what writing poems with strangers across five continents taught her about humanity.
The post Poetry as Bridge: What Writing Poems With Strangers Across Five Continents Taught Me About Humanity appeared first on Writer's Digest.
https://www.writersdigest.com/poetry-as-bridge-what-writing-poems-with-strangers-across-five-continents-taught-me-about-humanity

#Memoir #PersonalWriting #WriteBetterNonfiction #WriteBetterPoetry #MemoirWriting

What Fear Edits Out of Your Manuscript

Author Kristy Halvorsen shares what fear edits out of your manuscript, especially when writing something personal like memoir.
The post What Fear Edits Out of Your Manuscript appeared first on Writer's Digest.
https://www.writersdigest.com/what-fear-edits-out-of-your-manuscript

#Memoir #PersonalWriting #WriteBetterNonfiction #memoir #MemoirWriting

Writing to Solve Personal Conundrums: Memoir or Novel?

Author Lorelei Brush explains how after a career of answering questions for others she's been confronted by one as a writer: Memoir or novel?
The post Writing to Solve Personal Conundrums: Memoir or Novel? appeared first on Writer's Digest.
https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-to-solve-personal-conundrums-memoir-or-novel

#BeInspired #TheWritersLife #WritingHabitsandPractices #MemoirWriting #novelwriting

The theme of the July writing contest is: OWN-VOICES STORYTELLING, PERSONAL FICTION or POETRY, MEMOIRS or NONFICTION

Submissions are open until July 26.

Details at: https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/3250546_july-2026-contest-submissions

#ownvoicechallenge #ownvoices #fiction #nonfiction #memoirwriting #poetry #writing #writingcontest

Ariane Beeston’s life-changing memoir – and beyond

Having a baby is a life-changing experience, and for Ariane Beeston, profoundly so. She experienced postpartum psychosis, a rare and debilitating mental illness – and as part of her healing journey, she started writing about her experiences. After completing Freelance Writing Stage 1 at the Australian Writers' Centre, Ariane kickstarted her freelance writing career and […]…
https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/ariane-beeston-because-im-not-myself-you-see/

#AlumniStudentsuccessstories #Memoirwriting #Nonfictionwriting #creativenonfiction #freelance

I've been writing memoir for ten years. I finally started publishing it.

Secrets, Lies, and the Family Ghost. a Substack about art, chaos, and the examined life. Two memoirs, one post a week, one (at least one!) family ghost running through all of it.

#memoir #substack #writingcommunity #familyhistory #memoirwriting

Call for submissions!

The July writing contest theme is:
Own Voices, Personal Fiction or Poetry, Memoirs or Nonfiction

Learn more at: https://www.underground-bookshelf.com/3250546_july-2026-contest-submissions

#writingcommunity #WritingContest #ownvoice #ownvoicechallenge #Fiction #poetry #memoirwriting #memoir #nonfiction #writingchallenges #callforsubmissions #submissionsopen #disability #disabilitypride #lgbtqia #bipocauthors #queerauthors #disabledauthor

📖 Pre-order the Kindle edition now: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4DLT5BZ

One more week.

The Four Seasons of Rascal publishes June 15 on Amazon — paperback and Kindle.

🌐 www.RascalTheBook.com

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books #rascal #RascalTheDogFromHarbin #rascalandfriends #RascalTheBook

🎉 The Four Seasons of Rascal digital pre-order is now live on Amazon!

Paperback available June 15th. Full-color Collector's Edition coming soon.

👉https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4DLT5BZ

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books #rascal #RascalTheDogFromHarbin #rascalandfriends #RascalTheBook

No China memoir has told this story
from the inside through a dog.
Not with this depth.

The Four Seasons of Rascal

Available June 15

Amazon— paperback and Kindle.

For up to date information, follow Rascal’s Facebook page: facebook.com/rascalfromharbin

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books #rascal #RascalTheDogFromHarbin #rascalandfriends #RascalTheBook

June 15 would be my mother's 100th birthday.
She met Rascal.
And always asked when I would write the book.
It's time this story enters the world.

The Four Seasons of Rascal —

June 15 on Amazon.

RascalTheBook.com

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books #rascal #RascalTheDogFromHarbin #rascalandfriends #RascalTheBook

"A Chinese-US cross-cultural journey — told by a dog from Harbin and his American dad."

📖 www.RascalTheBook.com

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #booknow #rascal #RascalTheDogFromHarbin #rascalandfriends #RascalTheBook

Crafting a Memoir Exploring Intergenerational Trauma

Author Margaret Whitford examines her own process of crafting a memoir exploring intergenerational trauma.
The post Crafting a Memoir Exploring Intergenerational Trauma appeared first on Writer's Digest.
https://www.writersdigest.com/crafting-a-memoir-exploring-intergenerational-trauma

#Memoir #PersonalWriting #WriteBetterNonfiction #MemoirWriting #TipsForWritingMemoir

There is a Chinese word — 回家 — that means "go home."

It was the last thing I said to him.

The Four Seasons of Rascal — June 15.

www.RascalTheBook.com

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books #rascal #RascalTheDogFromHarbin #rascalandfriends

"A memoir about belonging somewhere you were never supposed to belong."

www.RascalTheBook.com

facebook.com/RascalFromHarbin/

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books #rascal #RascalTheDogFromHarbin #rascalandfriends

Rascal traveled from Harbin to Beijing. From Beijing to California and Colorado.

He always knew where home was.

The Four Seasons of Rascal

— June 15 on Amazon.
www.RascalTheBook.com

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books #rascal #RascalTheDogFromHarbin #rascalandfriends

Spring. Summer. Autumn. Winter.Four seasons. Twenty years. One dog. The Four Seasons of Rascal — coming June 15. www.RascalTheBook.com

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books #rascal #RascalTheDogFromHarbin #rascalandfriends

When the Body Joins the Story: How Writers Can Work With the Discomfort, Release, or Overwhelm That Comes With Difficult Truths

Author Megan Margherio shares strategies on how writers can work with the discomfort, release, or overwhelm that comes with difficult truths.
The post When the Body Joins the Story: How Writers Can Work With the Discomfort, Release, or Overwhelm That Comes With Difficult Truths appeared first on Writer's Digest.
https://www.writersdigest.com/when-the-body-joins-the-story-how-writers-can-work-with-the-discomfort-release-or-overwhelm-that-comes-with-difficult-truths

#Memoir #PersonalWriting #WriteBetterNonfiction #HealthyWriters #MemoirWriting

"This is the story no expat memoir has told. From the inside. Through a dog."📖 www.RascalTheBook.com

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books #RascalTheBook

I found him at a street market in Harbin, China — one of the coldest cities in the world.
He was the size of my fist and already causing trouble.
Twenty years later, I finally wrote his story.
The Four Seasons of Rascal — June 15. www.RascalTheBook.com

#dogmemories #chinamemoir #expats #expatlife #harbinwinter #memoirwriting #dogsofinstagram #chineseculture #booklover #comingsoon #memoir #memories #booksbooksbooks #books