1. Everyone, I mean Everyone, has a story to tell. 2. People just want to be heard. 3. Writing really does heal, if you look for the lessons in even the most painful experiences. 4. Despite the naysayers, those who call memoirs "confessional" or self-absorbed, they are as popular as ever. People love to read about how others deal with life. 5. Memoir and personal essays are my favorite form or creative writing. I always come back to it.