How Many of You are Writing a Memoir?

A lot of boomer women are writing their memoirs, and reading others'. I think many of us have stories to tell, and the work of finding those stories and bringing them to light is so rewarding. I'd love to hear about your stories or memoirs whether completed, in progress, or being contemplated. My article "R You Ready to Write Your Memoir?" will be published on http://www.WomensMemoirs.com on Tuesday, September 7.

Tags: baby, boomers, memoirs, women, women's, writers

0 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Louise Nayer on March 8, 2010 at 8:35am

Great to hear about writing memoirs. I wanted to share my journey--a long one--in writing about my parents who were burned in a gas explosion in Cape Cod(while my sister and I slept upstairs) and how we all(my sister Anne who is a member of this group, too) and I coped and how the family reunited.

The process of finding an agent/publishing house was grueling. I revised the book three times. I went through a lot emotionally as well. I had been a poet for many years, so switching to prose was daunting. I was raising children and also teaching full-time. It took me a long time. But I knew I had to write this. The story was aching to be told.
The book is finally coming out this April(Burned: A Memoir) from Atlas and Co. in NYC. The sense of relief is wonderful, and I'm excited about sharing the story even though it will be hard at times. I'm also excited about moving on in my writing.

If anyone has any questions or wants to talk more about memoir and the journey of writing and my experience in finally getting this book out there, please let me know!

Permalink Reply by Pamela Jane on March 8, 2010 at 1:48pm

Louise,

Congratulations on your new book! I am so inspired by your tenacity, and I can appreciate how grueling the journey must have been, both the hard lonely work of writing, then finding an agent, and persisting through all those drafts. Please keep us posted as the book gets closer to publication! Pamela (Monday Morning Memoir Blog http://pamelamemoir.livejournal.com)

Permalink Reply by Louise Nayer on March 8, 2010 at 9:12pm

Thanks, Pamela for your kind note.
Yes, it's so great to be at this place in the journey! I'm looking forward to checking out your blog.

Permalink Reply by bj rosenfeld on March 8, 2010 at 2:19pm

Hi Louise, First of all, congratulations on putting it all on paper. What an awful experience you went through. How did you finally find an agent/publisher. Any info you'd like to share with the rest of us? I've decided to self-publish my memoir The Chameleon in the Closet. I'm tired of waiting.

Permalink Reply by Louise Nayer on March 8, 2010 at 9:22pm

Self-publishing is a fine way to go. Unless you luck out, from mss. to publication can be such a long process!
I worked with two agents over four years and in both cases it didn't work. I did revise my book three times! I hired two editors at two different times. The last editor helped me with plot As a poet I needed that. Then I found an agent through a friend of my step-daughter's. From getting it to her to getting it accepted took about three years. That's about seven years altogether!

There are a lot of presses where you don't need agents--university presses(I believe University of Nebraska and University of Massachusetts presses both do memoirs--oh and Michigan State). I think Beacon Press might accept memoirs? I was heading that way. My press is an independent press(Atlas and Co. in NYC). They just published An Education(nominated for the academy awards) so that's exciting. I think they take unagented submissions. If you have more questions, please ask! But so many people self-publish and you have so much control over timing, etc. etc. Good luck with your memoir, too!
By the way, I just podcasted my book (first chpt. on my website www.louisenayer.com) Podcasting(getting your book on podiobooks) can get you an audience, too.

Permalink Reply by Nancy Owen Nelson on May 8, 2010 at 5:08pm

Add to the list University of Missouri and sometimes SMU Press. I've been on this road for awhile. Still trying to find the right home for my memoir about not having a home or roots (military child) and how it impacted my adult life....one marriage in particular.

Will appreciate any ideas on this. Good luck to all, and congratulations, Louise. I'll look for your book!

Permalink Reply by Louella Bryant on September 30, 2010 at 5:53am

Congratulations on your publications, Louise! Atlas & Co. looks to be a high quality organization. Their website says they do not accept unsolicited mss, but they'd most likely read a query and first pages. I'll look at your podcast and will keep an eye out for your book. Best wishes!!

Permalink Reply by Pamela Jane on March 9, 2010 at 9:32am

I'd love to hear more about the self-publishing process, what you went through and how it's done, if you'd like to share that. Pamela

Permalink Reply by Marion Roach Smith on March 14, 2010 at 10:54am

Congratulations, Louise. You persevered. We will be waiting by the bookshop door.
Best,
Marion

Permalink Reply by Nancy Owen Nelson on June 4, 2010 at 6:13pm

Fantastic that you found a home for your story. I've been working toward that goal for some time and am still doing so. Could you tell a bit more about how you found and agent/publishing company?

Permalink Reply by Lynette Benton on September 14, 2010 at 5:55am

Wow, I'm riveted by your story and I'll have to look for your book. Congratulations to you for your writing—and your courage!

- Lynette

Permalink Reply by Angela Christine Ragosa on March 8, 2010 at 9:08am

Hi Pamela,

I am in the process of writing my memoir DamnAgedGoods which is a little more than a third of the way into completion.
I am finding it tough these days to write material that will actually be included in the book, I realize this is a common occurrence, so I've vowed to myself to not get discouraged...

My life has been a colorful one, well, psychedelic may be more fitting. My intention in writing and sharing my personal story is to inform and educate others who may be suffering from Bipolar Disorder and to offer them a message of Hope for recovery.

Thanks Pamela!
Have a Wonderful Day!