Loved this so much, Jennie, and you are so generous with all you share. I love coaching memoir, and you’re right—it’s a completely different ballgame. One of the defining determinations I often discuss with those hoping to write memoir is whether they are 1) wanting to share their story in order to be of help to someone else, 2) wanting to write their story for the personal value of expressing their life experience and transformation, or 3) are a Writer with a capital “W.” Usually the third category is the one for true memoir because of the deep craft required to do it well, whereas the first is usually more for general nonfiction and the second is for a personal legacy project or not for a book at all.
It's so much about intention and so few people stop to think about that before they start to write. Your writers are lucky to have you guiding them! (And thank you for your kind words!)
Loved this so much, Jennie, and you are so generous with all you share. I love coaching memoir, and you’re right—it’s a completely different ballgame. One of the defining determinations I often discuss with those hoping to write memoir is whether they are 1) wanting to share their story in order to be of help to someone else, 2) wanting to write their story for the personal value of expressing their life experience and transformation, or 3) are a Writer with a capital “W.” Usually the third category is the one for true memoir because of the deep craft required to do it well, whereas the first is usually more for general nonfiction and the second is for a personal legacy project or not for a book at all.
It's so much about intention and so few people stop to think about that before they start to write. Your writers are lucky to have you guiding them! (And thank you for your kind words!)