Blog

The Good, The Bad, and the Memoir
11/13/2019 10:59:00 AM by: Cindy Sproles

“I have a memoir.” An excited conferee said sitting across from an acquisitions editor.

An awkward silence seeped across the table. The editor tinkered with the manuscript. “We aren’t looking for memoirs.”

“But your site says you publish them.”

“We publish memoirs if you’re Brad Pitt, or George Clooney or you have a platform of millions.”

“But we have a story about how my mother overcame cancer.”

The editor smiled. “Thousands overcome cancer. It’s an over done topic.”

Why are memoirs so hard to sell? I can answer that but please don’t shoot the messenger. It’s important to know the facts and remember exceptions always exist. Being in the right place, at the right time, with the perfect manuscript does happen for some, but for most, the work doesn’t supersede the obstacles.

A popular phrase at writing conferences is, “Everyone has a story.” And that is true. If you want to be a writer, you probably have a story twirling around in your head about a conspiracy theory, or a romance. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have a personal story – aka memoir.

Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times, it best described in his 2011 article, why memoirs are not successful for most authors.

Memoirs have been disgorged by virtually every¬one who has ever had cancer, been anorexic, battled depression, lost weight. By anyone who has ever taught an underprivileged child, adopted an under¬privileged child or been an under¬privileged child. By anyone who was raised in the ’60s, ’70s or ’80s, not to mention the ’50s, ’40s or ’30s. Owned a dog. Run a marathon. Found religion. Held a job.

You can write a successful memoir, but it is important to understand that without the proper platform, selling the manuscript is difficult.  The story must be unique, digging deep into the overall life of the person, stear hard away from author sympathy.  There are successful memoirs by unknown authors, but it’s their construction and twists that set them apart.

Here’s why:

The memoir becomes a cry for sympathy for the author – Be it true or not, this is how the public takes note. We live in a world of “it’s all about me.” Readers are not interested in feeling sorry for someone when they have their own issues. Writing a compelling memoir pushes the author to the side and tells the real story without constant author interruption.

Readers don’t want to suffer – Many times a memoir focuses on the pain and agony of an issue forgetting the good things in the lives of those who have lived the story. Often the author wants the reader to feel their pain – and if feeling the pain once isn’t enough, they relentlessly beat the reader over the head thinking that incessant reminders will help it “sink in.”  Readers are not dumb. They get the pain and suffering without having it stuffed down their throat every other paragraph. Learning to show the incident with balance and control allows a reader to become sympathetic and interested, rather than put off.

There is no real meaning – Often writers tell the story of a hardship they’ve experienced and it ends

leaving the reader with no real meaning. No sense of accomplishment. Readers feel unfulfilled and cheated – it was simply a story about overcoming a disease. Remember the movies in the 8os that started out as good, but when they ended, there was nothing. No resolution, no joy, nothing. The movie just ended leaving you hanging in a lurch. When a memoir ends, there should be resolution and an end, that even if it’s tough, shows some sort of hope or determination to persevere.

If you want to write a memoir, remember these things:

  • Selling to large houses without a huge platform will be tough. Medium-sized houses will publish memoirs, if the story is compelling, not dreary or author focused, and it’s a topic that house has experience and success in tackling. Smaller houses will publish a well-written memoir, but their reach in the marketplace is very limited. Self-publishing puts a book out there, but more times than not, it’s lost in the millions of books on Amazon. Unless the author has a steady speaking venue where books can sell at the back door, sales will be slim to none. Memoirs are rarely, if ever, money makers. Understanding this going in prepares the you for what lies ahead.
  • Write the story by digging into the life of the person, not just the hardship. How can you write a memoir without digging into a person’s life? It happens all the time when authors allow the story to encompass nothing but pain, no hope, no depth of impact to others around them. It’s easy to allow the manuscript to become a pity party and self-absorbed rather than pulling out the heavy “I” and allowing the impact of the story on others to show. Good memoirs cover a life not just tragedy.
  • Seek out a new twist on an old subject. Remember, if you have experienced something, chances are thousands of other have as well. This is good in that there are others looking for how you handled your situation, but bad in that there are probably thousands of others who have written the same story. Search out what is different and unique about your story. What can you give the reader that will help them outside of a search on Google?
  • “In the Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, we learn how Walls overcomes poverty in a dysfunctional family to become a successful New York journalist.”, says writer Larry Leech. “It may be a personal impact but chances are it will be the impact you have on others.”

If you choose to write a memoir, research, practice. Look for your unique twist. Seek guidance from someone who is accomplished in writing a memoir. Their guidance will be valuable. A good memoir doesn’t just talk about an accomplishment, it helps to change lives.

Photo 1 courtesy of www.morgefile.com & mensatic
Photo 2 courtesy of pixabay.com & bogitw

Share This Blog:

Mountain Breeze Writer

Previous Posts

The Heart of God
2/14/2020 7:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Writing in a Pickle
1/30/2020 3:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Homonyms – Did You Sea/See Them Their/There?
1/27/2020 3:52:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Adult Day Care Alternative
1/23/2020 5:09:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Social Media Blitz
1/19/2020 11:20:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Joys of Aging
12/30/2019 7:53:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

A Christmas Saga - Joy in the Season
12/25/2019 7:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Reality of Who We Are?
12/22/2019 7:53:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Publishing Trends
11/30/2019 8:16:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Be Thankful ANYWAY
11/28/2019 7:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Who Really Sells Your Books
11/22/2019 3:47:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Writing Your Mission Statement
11/19/2019 7:38:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Perseverance to Write
11/16/2019 12:00:00 PM  by: Cindy

The Good, The Bad, and the Memoir
11/13/2019 10:59:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Common Sense Tips for When You Write
11/9/2019 10:26:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Battle is Fought
10/15/2019 7:00:00 PM  by: Cindy

Scratch It Till It Bleeds
10/8/2019 7:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Twelve Tidbits of Wisdom from Top Christian Writers
10/5/2019 7:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Pray with Fire
10/3/2019 7:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Present Yourself Approved and Professional
9/28/2019 7:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Easy In
9/24/2019 8:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Art of Self-Editing
9/10/2019 10:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Questions, Questions
9/6/2019 10:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

15-Minute Appointments - Important Networking
9/3/2019 7:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Permission to Quit - No Way
8/30/2019 9:55:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Don't Close Your Eyes - Bob Hostetler
2/5/2019  by: Cindy Sproles

Love Your Faculty
10/17/2018 3:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Immeasurable Power in You
10/14/2018 2:37:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Forging Ahead after Rejection
7/17/2018 8:12:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

cindysproles.com Privacy Policy
6/4/2018 8:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Closing Up Shop - Guiding Seniors to Letting Go
4/9/2018 10:56:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Publishing Naysayers
3/16/2018 1:30:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

In Prayer - I Write
3/3/2018 9:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Keep Them Reading
1/12/2018 11:23:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Encouraged - Even When . . .
1/2/2018 12:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Christmas Tears
12/18/2017 12:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Holiday Elder Care - Be an Elder Elf
11/12/2017 7:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Grateful for a Dream I Didn't Know I Had
11/9/2017 6:30:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Keep Them Reading
11/1/2017 7:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Chicken Soup for the Soul - Writer Call Out
10/27/2017 10:05:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Five Ways to Assure Your Work will Find the Slush Pile
10/24/2017 7:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

23rd Psalm Revisited
10/21/2017 7:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Contentment in Writing
10/19/2017 9:30:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

5 Common Sense Tips to Better Writing
10/10/2017 7:00:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Overshadowed
8/21/2017 10:05:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Chicken Soup for the Soul Callout - Stories about Love
8/21/2017 7:54:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Five Keys to Overcoming Rejection
8/12/2017 7:00:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Writing Call Out - Chicken Soup for the Soul
8/10/2017 8:47:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

When Words of Encouragement Wane
6/28/2017 10:54:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Writing Truth with Love
1/13/2017 11:05:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Oh To Be A Writer
1/4/2017 11:12:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Why Write?
1/1/2017 11:16:00 AM  by: Cindy Sproles

Scammed
6/21/2016 3:48:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Pain of Unsolicited
3/9/2016 3:51:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Frozen in Place – Icey Self-Talk to Freeze Your Writing
2/9/2016 3:58:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Not Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for Those Confronted with Infertility and Miscarriage
11/21/2015 3:02:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Thankful Despite . . .
11/20/2015 3:04:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Stepping Up to Na-No-Wri-Mo
11/16/2015 3:08:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Gift of No Gifts
11/2/2015 3:11:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Writers Be Encouraged
10/15/2015 3:17:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Keep ‘Em Reading – It’s the Writer’s Responsibility
8/13/2015 3:26:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Saying Goodbye
7/17/2015 3:31:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Overcoming the Fear of Writing Failure
7/8/2015 3:38:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Making the Move – Home to Assisted Living
6/17/2015 3:41:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

I Kid You Not
6/6/2015 3:44:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Hearing the Call to Foster – Renee McCausey
1/13/2015 3:54:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Throw Out the Crutches
1/10/2015 5:02:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

So You Were Asked to Be A Beta Reader?
1/10/2015 3:59:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

REJECTIONS – Aaughhh!
1/5/2015 5:04:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Bachelor – Stephanie Reed
12/14/2014 5:06:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Making of a Servant
11/30/2014 5:10:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Miracle in a Dry Season Review – Yvonne Lehman
8/27/2014 5:12:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Write Anyway
8/26/2014 5:17:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

World Blog Tour – Catching Up with Cindy Sproles
7/22/2014 5:19:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Progression of Life
7/17/2014 5:23:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Instrumental Writing Helps – Aaron Gansky
7/4/2014 5:27:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The Question Saga
6/29/2014 5:28:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Defy the Night – REVIEW
4/28/2014 5:30:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

When the Work is Hard to Do
4/1/2014 5:31:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

My Heart Belongs to Him
2/14/2014 5:32:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Review of The Vicar’s Wife
2/2/2014 5:44:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The In on Self Publishing – Part 2
12/29/2013 3:44:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

The In on Self Publishing – Part 1
12/26/2013 3:47:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Divorce My Words? Never!
10/25/2013 3:50:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

In a Pickle
10/1/2013 3:52:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Bigger and Better
9/27/2013 3:54:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Putting SOCIAL back in Media
8/10/2013 8:08:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

After the Conference Ends…
8/8/2013 8:13:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Here a Tweak, There a Tweak, Everywhere a Tweak, Tweak
8/2/2013 8:15:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Can You Hear Me Now?
7/23/2013 8:18:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Golden Years, Cherished Moments
3/20/2013 7:47:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Broken Heart Syndrome
9/26/2012 7:56:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

What About Our Elders
8/24/2012 7:57:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

A Minute – A Lifetime
8/10/2012 7:58:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

Water, Water – Who’s Got the Water
7/31/2012 7:59:00 PM  by: Cindy Sproles

    Blog Categories
    All Categories