What's a Memoir?

In a favorite book, Writing the Memoir, Judith Barrington quotes Gore Vidal:

"A memoir is how one remembers one's own life, while an autobiography is history, requiring research, dates, and facts double-checked."

Dee and I write biography (for other people) which requires interviews, original source quotes and documents to back up and correct every memory, plus historical research to place a person in context. I write memoir which is a creative collection of personal memories and how they impacted life from the viewpoint of the writer.

I use a lot of my memoirs as blog posts. It's a way I remember my own life. If you were there, you might recall something differently. It's OK. Your version can be written in your memoirs. (Grab the inspiration and run for your nearest blog post!)

Barrington concedes that many of us are put off writing a memoir because we've been asked (or asked ourselves) "Who cares about this? Who will be interested in reading my story?"

"The question should be Why do I care about this? The answer will make you feel entitled to tell your own story, to accept that it is not only worthy of being written down but something you want to revise and craft until it is beautiful. In time you will even come to believe that your story is important for other people to read.

"Once you are comfortable with writing, put aside thoughts of agents, publishers, audience, fame and fortune--none of which is conducive to good writing. Start thinking right away about what matters in your own life--what has most challenged you, formed you, influenced you. Start making lists and notes. And from time to time ask yourself who cares, and remind yourself—you do."

Nobody can write your memoirs the way you can. I'm writing my memoirs a story at a time. They will eventually be bound together as The Oma Storybook Collection, but for now they come a chapter at a time, just episodes in my life I think my grandkids might appreciate right now.



My most recent book was written about my Aunt Marie. She was a single aunt who found ways to plan interesting outings and make fun memories with me. I wanted to record her impact on my life. Compiling a few photos and, jotting down some concrete memories, I intertwined them with impressions and emotions I experienced with her.

(Click the picture if you want to read the text.)

Though Marie seems to be the star of the book, I didn't check with her about any of the facts. It's really about me and my memories. It could remind and inspire my siblings and cousins who had similar experiences, but I didn't check with them for accuracy, either. Had it been a biography, I would have double checked everything, but a memoir is personal, and more fun to write.

Here are a few random pages . . .

I put in things that might have meaning to the grandkids in some way.

Because I wrote it for my grandkids, I included pictures of them scampering through the pages, making funny comments about what I was telling them.

This is the type of gift I like to give. It's triple duty—I get chapters of my personal history written, my grandkids learn about me and from me, and can appreciate loved ones I had before they came along. Plus I can please someone who is remembered fondly. It was a true gift from the heart—about $15 per spiral bound copy, and at least thirty hours of tender thoughts. Writing it "turned my heart to my children," and hopefully "their hearts to their fathers," as it says in the Bible.

Now it's your turn:

Have you ever received or given a gift of memories?
Was it appreciated, or was it tucked away for "later"
never to be looked at again?
Maybe it's time to remember and recognize the love tucked inside.