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Memoir: A Genre For Christian Writers

I used to be a boring reader. I tended to stick with fiction or inspirational books in my reading time, with an occasional non-fiction thrown in. Then a good friend introduced me to a new genre: memoir.

Memoir is similar to autobiography. It consists of memories of the author’s life, whether in part or in whole. I tend to think of autobiography as more “textbook” format, while memoir reads like a good novel.

A whole new world opened up before me when I discovered memoir, in reading and in writing.

When I became serious about writing, it was obvious how and what I wanted to write. The writing style that tends to connect with my readers is memoir. When I tell a story and then share what lesson I gleaned from it, I get a really good response.

Consider The Genre Of Memoir

I am far from mastering the art of memoir, but here are a couple of things I’m learning along my journey.

1) It’s okay to make up a little detail. I can’t remember every specific detail from my life. But to make the story really good, I need to include details. So sometimes I make them up. Or take a vivid detail from a different memory. That’s okay. It’s your life.

2) It’s easy to get passionate about what you’re writing about. I can be passionate about what I’m writing about because it’s things I’ve lived. If you’re not passionate about something that has happened in your life, then I question how you’re living your life.

3) Writing memoir is great for processing through all the gunk of life. When I write about stories from my life, I can work through the insecurities, fears, and doubts that arise. And there are plenty. Writing is the number one way I process, so when I’m writing about stuff from my life, it helps me to sort through all the nasty stuff.

4) People do want to hear your story, even if it seems totally boring to you. You may feel that your life has nothing worthwhile and that no one wants to hear your story. I beg to differ. My day job is in a retirement community as an activities assistant. I’ve been privileged to hear some of the life stories there, and these people have some incredible memories. Some of them are taking steps to either write their story down, or have it written down for them. They know that their family will treasure that story long after they’re gone. Write down your memories for your family and friends, if for no one else.

I hope to branch out in my writing career and eventually tackle other genres, but for now, I’m thankful that I can focus on memoir. Focusing on my own story has been healing, freeing, and exciting. I hope that everyone will tell at least a portion of their story.

Question: What part of your story could you tell?

* Image credit: Aaron Justin (Creation Swap)

Comments

  1. says

    While I am not a ‘writer’ per se, I am in a group of women where we write and read our stories (memoirs) to see the bigger picture of our lives.  This post reminds me of what we do.  I see behaviors or thought patterns in my current life reflected in the stories of the past, providing the insight to accept or change them.  Things which are often hard to see in current time.  Writing my memoirs provides the perspective I need.

  2. says

    Jaime, I must admit that I’m not at all familiar with the genre of Memoir. It’s strange, however, that I have heard so much about it over the last few months. It seems to be increasing in popularity. I suppose I’ll have to check it out very soon.

    PS: Let me know when you pen your own memoir. I’ll buy a copy…but only if you sign it for me. 😉

    • says

      Aw, thanks! I’m working on one right now. Don’t know when the finished product will be, as I’m still grinding through the rough draft right now. 

      For a long time, I never considered memoir either, but it really is a good read. I recommend John Grogan. He wrote Marley and Me (which many people call a “dogoir” as it’s all about his life with his dog) which is a fantastic read. He also wrote The Longest Trip Home, another memoir. He’s a great writer, in my opinion.

  3. says

    I am self-publishing my own memoir next March, Jaime. It’s called She Does Not Fear the Snow, a Ruth story of being claimed by God and given purpose and meaning through the blessing of a Boaz to be my husband. I have loved writing it, am loving the final edits and designing the cover. It’s scary but gives me the tingles to know that it will be out soon. I want to go on to write about our two years in Israel working for a congregation after we married. Totally hooked on the genre.

    • says

      Awesome. I’m working on a memoir right now, and it IS scary to write. I think it will get scarier as I get closer to possibly having it published. Good luck with your book!

      • says

        Thank you, Jamie. (sorry about the typo before). I just had a professional edit, not for typos (!) but for content and have had to take some decisions whether to include quite personal scenes or let some of the action go. Without the background, the action I had added up to nothing. I think I’ll opt to try and get those personal bits in.

  4. says

    Great post, Jamie! I particularly like Mary DeMuth’s memoir, Thin Places, and Ian Morgan Cron’s memoir, Jesus, the CIA, My father and me. I am really liking this genre as well.

  5. says

    So Jamie, this is what memoirs are all about..!

    Like Charles says, i’ve read alot about them recently but I hadn’t  really understood what they are about.

    I actually think it’s what am reading more of nowadays, just that I lumped them under biographies and autobiographies label.

    what you say is so true – i enjoy the story-based writing so much. I stopped reading fiction a while back and this has been a good replacement. (though i will go back to fiction sometime)

    I have recorded portions of my life on paper and screen, the most recent being my experience  settling in a new country (written over a period of 8 months).  Looks like that can be a memoir one of these days 🙂

    Thanks for this insightful read. Now m better educated 🙂

  7. Loved As If says

    I’m writing a memoir, “Loved
    As If,” being an orphan at a very young age, losing everything, including myself & being the prey of brutal,
    violent adults and children. It’s gritty because I suffered neglect, molest, rape, beatings & other abuse for 11 years. I had to keep memories of my family a secret, fought to grow up, & remain as untainted as
    possible by the madness about me. Nut most
    of all, it’s the story of how God has always been with me, always been my best Friend & how I’ve clung
    to Him as He helped me grow up. It tells the story of God loosing the chains of fear and wounds that constrained me while He
    gradually lead me, kicking & screaming, at times, into healing. He didn’t unmake the horrors. Instead, He reached down into every hell
    others created for me, into every hell I created for myself and raised me to new life.