Memoir is My Style

Creative nonfiction straddles the fence between fiction and nonfiction; the writer is writing fact, but in a literary way.  A compelling memoir will have words of joy and sorrow; frustration and celebration; anger and good fortune.

 

Once a writer gives fair warning to family members; friends; and former lovers that a memoir is preparing to fly on Amazon.com everyone seems to get a pinched look on their face.  Their eyes glaze over; they get lost in thought; all the time wondering what will be written about them.  Will it be good, bad or ugly?  How far will this "writer" stretch the truth?  Please know that I write to understand. And I've discovered that human beings are flawed and limited...as well as wonderful and unique.  No one is exactly like anyone else.

Memoirist Abby Mims advises: "Never show anyone something you've written about them, before or after publication."

 

Author Anne Lamott said it best: "If people didn't want to be written about, they should have behaved better."

 

And to that I wish all a good night.