What is a memoir?
Sage Kay
Writer, reader, outfit repeater.
For most readers, fiction stories dominate their reading list. Epic fantasies with dragons and magic, horrors with monsters and killers—and these are all well and good, but what about the reader that wants to read a story that is real? A 100% true (give or take) story that the reader can relate to and learn from because it's reality. Well, dear reader, I give you memoirs.
What is a memoir?
Memoirs are a $ type of nonfiction story$ . They are a historical or biographical account of an individual. A memoir is written from the individual’s perspective but doesn’t necessarily have to be written by the individual themself. The writer gives a narrative based on specific experiences in the individual’s life, such as time at war or the transition of small town living to a big city, with personal and emotional details that truly give a sense of the subject's life in that time. When the memoir is autobiographical, the writer will often reflect on these life experiences, what they learned from them and what meaning they’ve gleaned from it.
What is the purpose of a memoir?
Memoirs can be great for readers looking for wisdom based on others’ real-life experiences. I, for one, would much rather learn from others’ mistakes before making them myself. "The wise man learns from the mistakes of others" and all that.
Memoirs are also a great way to get a feel for life events that you may never experience yourself. Learn what it's like to live through a war and how it affects life thereafter without doing the warring yourself. Gain insight from an unimaginable tragedy without doing the processing and self-work yourself. Just remember to bring some tissues, probably.
Who can write a memoir?
Just like any book, anyone can write a memoir. Have a personal experience that led to immense growth and overall happiness in your life? What about a cautionary tale and advice that you’d like to share with the world? Sounds like a great memoir to me.
And don’t forget, memoirs don’t have to be written by the individual themself. If there’s a historical figure that you believe can shed some light on the human experience, do some research! Find everything you can about what their life would have been like and write from their perspective. There’s plenty of inspiration all around you, from your own personal experiences to others’.
How is a memoir different from an autobiography?
I mentioned memoirs don’t have to be written by the individual that the book is written about, and this is one of the main differences between a memoir and an autobiography. Autobiographies are written by the
"main character". Additionally, autobiographies cover the entirety of the individual’s life, not just parts of their life, like in memoirs. Think of memoirs as a collection of memories and autobiographies as complete biographical accounts.
Examples of memoirs
Feeling inspired to read a memoir now? Here are five great ones to add to your reading list:
1. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
This graphic memoir "tragicomic" follows the young Alison Bechdel (the woman behind the famous Bechdel Test) as she deals with her closeted father’s suicide and the effect it had on her identity and blossoming sexuality. Definitely bring the tissues for this one.
2. I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
A recent release with as grabby a title as I’ve ever seen, Jennette McCurdy details her childhood as a Nickelodeon star, and how her mother’s abuse shaped her relationship with eating, acting, and herself.
3. Obviously by Akilah Hughes
Remember my example of a memoir detailing the journey from a small town to the big city? Akilah Hughes details just this in a collection of essays about her life from a 15-year-old high school graduate to her career as a writer in New York.
4. Mean Little Deaf Queer by Terry Galloway
Terry Galloway’s memoir is all about finding her identity as a queer deaf person with a love for performing.
5. All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
George M. Johnson explores everything from racism, bullying, sexual experiences, and how familial love can get you through it all in this heart-felt memoir.
Memoirs are great for any reader. Whether you’re looking for sage-like wisdom given through comedic essays, a taste of a life you’re curious about, or think your life could bring any of the above to someone else, try your hand at nonfiction and start a memoir!$ $
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