This might sound silly, but when I first started writing my memoir, I hadn’t realised I was writing a story. Or I did but I didn’t craft it as I would have done if it was fiction.  But following a rigorous editorial review of my first draft, I learnt very quickly that my story had little heart because of this. Whether it’s memoir or fiction, crafting vivid memories, bringing the narrative alive, is essential to engaging a reader’s emotions.

While the following tips are focused on those writing memoir and how to bring scenes and characters to life in a way that is rooted in truth but also interesting with added layers of sparkle, I do think the same guiding principles apply to fiction which of course lends itself to being much more creative and original in how you bring a made-up character to life.

1. Show, don't tell. This was a big lesson from my first draft. In each scene bring as much of the senses alive as you can; sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures so the reader feels like they are experiencing it with you.  If you are describing a really hot day, show it in how the heat feels on the skin, how thirsty the character might feel, the smell of sun cream on skin, or how bad the rubbish bins smell. Senses that will trigger memories in the readers and connect them to your story in a much more emotional way.

2. Be truthful. Sometimes in my story I don’t come off that well. I’ve made choices and acted in ways that now I look back on with regret but for the reader this is where the gold lies. Shiny perfect stories aren’t interesting. Make it raw, put all your sides and shapes on the page whether it makes you look good or bad because it’s the truth.

3. Focus on key moments. This is where sharp self-editing comes in, because what is important is not necessarily what you leave in but what you take out. It might be the best sentence, page you’ve ever written but if it doesn’t add anything to the scene or story, it should be deleted. The key is to only show significant events or turning points that shaped your experiences and points of view, anything else is just fluff.

4. Use reflective narration. This one was tricker for me to navigate. My script takes me through the ages as a child to an adult and I had written the first draft, from the perspective of someone who’s learned a lot of lessons and is older and wiser. But when the older me started talking for the younger me, like a helicopter parent, offering reasons to justify specific behaviours or thoughts, it became less interesting. I learnt that I needed to let the reader live in my story, not micro-manage them by directing them to think or feel a certain way. Yes there is always an element of orchestrating in storytelling but we also have to give readers the space to work things out for themselves. So do offer insights and reflect on your experiences but context is key.

5. Experiment with structure. Play with timelines, flashbacks, and foreshadowing to keeps readers engaged. It also makes it a more interesting creative journey for you. Writing is an experience, a process, not an end goal.

6. Edit ruthlessly. Which brings me back to the earlier point, cut unnecessary details, refine your prose and make sure every word serves to enhance the reader's experience. If a sentence can be made shorter, do it, even if you have to lose fancy words that you’re really proud of. Put the ego aside and focus only on what’s essential and relevant to your story.

Remember memoir is storytelling and the goal is to transport readers into your world and make your memories zing on the page. Have fun, be creative but don’t stray too far from the truth that you no longer recognise the real-life characters. Until next time.

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