Crafting a Memoir: Five Hot Tips to Captivate Your Readers

[@KJ-zr2ko]

❤ thank you Jody Fodor. This was great. I have been writing little snippets and saving them for a memoir. This information has been really really helpful.

[@גרשוןפרלמן]

In a moment of inspiration, with hardly any writing experience, I started a memoir four years ago, stopped at the three quarter mark and have spent the past two years watching memoir writing videos. This is the one that was I've been waiting for. Thank you for your sharing.

[@גרשוןפרלמן]

@@michellemonet4358 Constantly being inspired by videos like this one, I'm editing the 70,000 words that I have written. I've learned how to use both a tweezer and a hatchet while editing and enjoying my progress.

[@EllieRose-pe7mu]

This is one of the most helpful videos I've seen on memoir. Thank you for making this so clear and practical. The difference between reflection and take away will open up my story so much more.

[@JodiFodor]

Thank you so much for saying so! So happy to help.

[@estherstark5088]

Loved her presentation. I made notes throughout and will revisit this video often as I write. Thank you.

[@harlowdayne9601]

Extremely insightful. As a fiction writer, tackling a memoir has been challenging as far as knowing what to include and what to cut. Especially so in the case of a memoir dealing with paranormal events that lead to what those events are trying to convey.

[@janieaziz6197]

Jodi, I loved catching up with your video today. You've given me food for thought, especially about narrowing down a lifetime to a more focused segment with a particular theme (what it's about), reflection, and a good takeaway. Now I think I can really craft something out of the 24 chapter saga I've been working on lately! Thank you!

[@robertbrock1608]

Jody Fodor cemented in my mind the things I've done right. I started writing because of a major head injury. Took writing classes and started writing short stories, which were horrible but I've stayed the course. Thanks Jodi, I'm hoping to get my manuscript to you. Robert Brock retired SDFD

[@JodiFodor]

Hey Robert, Thanks for your Instagram message. I'll be in touch. J!

[@kellyamersonlopez7488]

Fantastic session! Excellent structure, examples, resources. Thank you, Jodi and Martin. Now, off to daydream, outline, and write!

[@JodiFodor]

Thank you, Jane! "Daydream, outline, and write" - what a marvelous trifecta. I need to do less of the daydreaming; as a dear friend likes to say to me, "Less input - more output!" hahaha

[@yasomati-stanya-payidasi9991]

So sorry that I couldn't make it live, but this has been so useful. I have been pressed to write my memoir by both my guru and my family, who are really pleased that I have made a start. I edit others writing all the time, but writing about my own life isn't so easy - I find myself editing very heavily as I write, there is just too much that I don't want them to know the whole truth of. I appreciate the advice on legalities and changing names etc. If it is alright to do that, then I feel better about leaving some things out, and producing these somewhat heavily edited memories in places. Thank you, I will come back to this time and again I am sure.

[@claireredman2826]

Jody, thank you so much. You were brimming with ideas.

[@JodiFodor]

Thank you, Claire! I hope you find some of them useful.

[@Eternal32bloom]

Thank you for giving out these tips!

[@JodiFodor]

Hi Aiyana. You're welcome! I love, love, love teaching, and because I'm not teaching any classes or workshops these days, being part of a webinar like this is is a joy for me. Thank you for being part of it.

[@julietatonello]

Such an interesting session! Thank you for your generosity

[@JodiFodor]

Hi Julieta! Thank YOU. I hope your memoir is moving forward (and that you're enjoying the process).

[@marcasmajor2927]

Thank you for your advice. I was getting a little overwhelmed with the scope of the memoir I am writing.

[@JodiFodor]

Indeed. Are you feeling any better about the scope now? Do you have a theme in mind that might help you narrow the scope? Keep in mind that you can cover MANY years of your life, but your theme will narrow the number of stories you share from those years. For example, a writer might tell us about his life from age 8 to 48, but within that span he might focus only on risks he took (and those he avoided) and the results of those choices, how he feels now, what he learned, etc.

[@marcasmajor2927]

@@JodiFodor Thank you for your input. Yes, I am back on track. I am limiting the focus of my memoir to a specific outcome I was able to achieve based on specific personality traits I have. :-)

[@TaoofMiracles111]

SUPER Helpful!!!

[@JodiFodor]

I'm so happy to read this--thank you.

[@abbyjiang]

Is there any way I can get the transcript?

[@MikeParsonsOutdoorGearCoach]

I am writing my memoir, to my surprise, there were many things I didn’t want to talk about and I was still in grief about losing my family company.

[@amyphelan3758]

Hi, I’m Amy from Canada. Thought I’d try a memoir, a story I’ve wanted to write for decades but could never find a way into it.

[@danieljaygrossett-author]

This was soo helpful. Thank u

[@JodiFodor]

Thank, you Daniel. I'm so glad. Keep Writing!

[@MikeParsonsOutdoorGearCoach]

My memoirs is called Adventure Innovation because that’s what my life has been about.

[@mcspound]

Wonderful session! My question--writing yourself (and friends, etc,) as characters. Perhaps emphasizing a specific personality trait to complement the story...maybe emphasize shy aspect a bit if the growth area is in confidence? & adding little character quirks for 'you' & other characters (friends, family). Tips?

[@JodiFodor]

Hey There. . . can you clarify the question? I'd like to help. J!

[@comfycomfy6469]

thank you

[@bonniewakeman7507]

I got a lot of good advice from Jodie. I’d like her to help me. How do I contact her?

[@dr.floydphillips4717]

I am writing my memoir depicting my journey out of Harlem into psychoanalysis

[@rachelthompson9324]

how would you design a book about a gay or trans character's story that would interest the general public? Just curious.

[@relayrayn4225]

Brilliant!

[@JodiFodor]

"Brilliant" - the English meaning or the American meaning? hahaha. Thank you!

[@relayrayn4225]

@@JodiFodor of blinding illumination would cover both 😊

[@JodiFodor]

@@relayrayn4225 😅

[@MizMondayFilms]

What are some good hybrid publishing companies?

[@JodiFodor]

Hi "Miz" - I have experience only with Spark Press and She Writes Press, which are terrific.

[@claireredman2826]

I am writing about the time I lived in the Amazon region of Venezuela,40 years ago and what stayed with me. I don´t knoww how to answwer how did you get there ?

[@JodiFodor]

Hi Claire. Do you mean that you don't know how to answer the question, "What made you go there"?

[@dalemills2906]

Alberta canada

[@scloftin8861]

So, basically the changes of the last century to this one over an ancient idiot's lifetime is not a memoir and is a boring biography. Good thing only my kids will ever see it.

[@TMPreRaff]

"Hot" tips?

[@rachelthompson9324]

JK Rolling is not a good writer