Crafting a Memoir: Five Hot Tips to Captivate Your Readers

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  • Опубліковано 2 лис 2021
  • Reedsy editor Jodi Fodor, MFA, reveals her top tips for writing a compelling, publishable memoir.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 50

  • @KJ-zr2ko
    @KJ-zr2ko 5 місяців тому +2

    ❤ thank you Jody Fodor. This was great. I have been writing little snippets and saving them for a memoir. This information has been really really helpful.

  • @estherstark5088
    @estherstark5088 Рік тому +3

    Loved her presentation. I made notes throughout and will revisit this video often as I write. Thank you.

  • @user-uz7dm6qn3y
    @user-uz7dm6qn3y 2 роки тому +3

    In a moment of inspiration, with hardly any writing experience, I started a memoir four years ago, stopped at the three quarter mark and have spent the past two years watching memoir writing videos. This is the one that was I've been waiting for. Thank you for your sharing.

    • @user-uz7dm6qn3y
      @user-uz7dm6qn3y Рік тому +1

      @@michellemonet4358 Constantly being inspired by videos like this one, I'm editing the 70,000 words that I have written. I've learned how to use both a tweezer and a hatchet while editing and enjoying my progress.

  • @EllieRose-pe7mu
    @EllieRose-pe7mu 2 місяці тому +1

    This is one of the most helpful videos I've seen on memoir. Thank you for making this so clear and practical. The difference between reflection and take away will open up my story so much more.

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 місяці тому

      Thank you so much for saying so! So happy to help.

  • @harlowdayne9601
    @harlowdayne9601 2 роки тому +2

    Extremely insightful. As a fiction writer, tackling a memoir has been challenging as far as knowing what to include and what to cut. Especially so in the case of a memoir dealing with paranormal events that lead to what those events are trying to convey.

  • @janieaziz6197
    @janieaziz6197 2 роки тому +3

    Jodi, I loved catching up with your video today. You've given me food for thought, especially about narrowing down a lifetime to a more focused segment with a particular theme (what it's about), reflection, and a good takeaway. Now I think I can really craft something out of the 24 chapter saga I've been working on lately! Thank you!

  • @kellyamersonlopez7488
    @kellyamersonlopez7488 2 роки тому +5

    Fantastic session! Excellent structure, examples, resources. Thank you, Jodi and Martin. Now, off to daydream, outline, and write!

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      Thank you, Jane! "Daydream, outline, and write" - what a marvelous trifecta. I need to do less of the daydreaming; as a dear friend likes to say to me, "Less input - more output!" hahaha

  • @yasomati-stanya-payidasi9991
    @yasomati-stanya-payidasi9991 2 роки тому +3

    So sorry that I couldn't make it live, but this has been so useful. I have been pressed to write my memoir by both my guru and my family, who are really pleased that I have made a start. I edit others writing all the time, but writing about my own life isn't so easy - I find myself editing very heavily as I write, there is just too much that I don't want them to know the whole truth of. I appreciate the advice on legalities and changing names etc. If it is alright to do that, then I feel better about leaving some things out, and producing these somewhat heavily edited memories in places. Thank you, I will come back to this time and again I am sure.

  • @robertbrock1608
    @robertbrock1608 2 роки тому +4

    Jody Fodor cemented in my mind the things I've done right. I started writing because of a major head injury. Took writing classes and started writing short stories, which were horrible but I've stayed the course. Thanks Jodi, I'm hoping to get my manuscript to you. Robert Brock retired SDFD

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      Hey Robert,
      Thanks for your Instagram message. I'll be in touch. J!

  • @Eternal32bloom
    @Eternal32bloom 2 роки тому +4

    Thank you for giving out these tips!

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      Hi Aiyana. You're welcome! I love, love, love teaching, and because I'm not teaching any classes or workshops these days, being part of a webinar like this is is a joy for me. Thank you for being part of it.

  • @claireredman2826
    @claireredman2826 2 роки тому +2

    Jody, thank you so much. You were brimming with ideas.

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      Thank you, Claire! I hope you find some of them useful.

  • @elizknight8262
    @elizknight8262 2 роки тому +1

    Jody, you've been so helpful. I'm editing (content and grammar) a memoir for a friend and you've helped me put a fine point on my remarks, as well as brought up many things I hadn't thought of.

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      I'm so pleased to read this, Eliz. Thank you for commenting!

  • @julietatonello
    @julietatonello 2 роки тому +3

    Such an interesting session! Thank you for your generosity

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      Hi Julieta! Thank YOU. I hope your memoir is moving forward (and that you're enjoying the process).

  • @marcasmajor2927
    @marcasmajor2927 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you for your advice. I was getting a little overwhelmed with the scope of the memoir I am writing.

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      Indeed. Are you feeling any better about the scope now?
      Do you have a theme in mind that might help you narrow the scope?
      Keep in mind that you can cover MANY years of your life, but your theme will narrow the number of stories you share from those years. For example, a writer might tell us about his life from age 8 to 48, but within that span he might focus only on risks he took (and those he avoided) and the results of those choices, how he feels now, what he learned, etc.

    • @marcasmajor2927
      @marcasmajor2927 2 роки тому +1

      @@JodiFodor Thank you for your input. Yes, I am back on track. I am limiting the focus of my memoir to a specific outcome I was able to achieve based on specific personality traits I have. :-)

  • @TaoofMiracles111
    @TaoofMiracles111 9 місяців тому +1

    SUPER Helpful!!!

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 4 місяці тому

      I'm so happy to read this--thank you.

  • @danieljaygrossett-author
    @danieljaygrossett-author 2 роки тому +2

    This was soo helpful. Thank u

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      Thank, you Daniel. I'm so glad. Keep Writing!

  • @abbyjiang
    @abbyjiang 2 роки тому +2

    Is there any way I can get the transcript?

  • @comfycomfy6469
    @comfycomfy6469 2 роки тому +1

    thank you

  • @amyphelan3758
    @amyphelan3758 3 місяці тому

    Hi, I’m Amy from Canada.
    Thought I’d try a memoir, a story I’ve wanted to write for decades but could never find a way into it.

  • @relayrayn4225
    @relayrayn4225 2 роки тому +1

    Brilliant!

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      "Brilliant" - the English meaning or the American meaning? hahaha.
      Thank you!

    • @relayrayn4225
      @relayrayn4225 2 роки тому +1

      @@JodiFodor of blinding illumination would cover both 😊

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      @@relayrayn4225 😅

  • @MikeParsonsOutdoorGearCoach
    @MikeParsonsOutdoorGearCoach 3 місяці тому

    I am writing my memoir, to my surprise, there were many things I didn’t want to talk about and I was still in grief about losing my family company.

  • @mcspound
    @mcspound 2 роки тому +2

    Wonderful session! My question--writing yourself (and friends, etc,) as characters. Perhaps emphasizing a specific personality trait to complement the story...maybe emphasize shy aspect a bit if the growth area is in confidence? & adding little character quirks for 'you' & other characters (friends, family). Tips?

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      Hey There. . . can you clarify the question? I'd like to help. J!

  • @MikeParsonsOutdoorGearCoach
    @MikeParsonsOutdoorGearCoach 3 місяці тому

    My memoirs is called Adventure Innovation because that’s what my life has been about.

  • @dr.floydphillips4717
    @dr.floydphillips4717 Місяць тому

    I am writing my memoir depicting my journey out of Harlem into psychoanalysis

  • @bonniewakeman7507
    @bonniewakeman7507 Рік тому +1

    I got a lot of good advice from Jodie. I’d like her to help me. How do I contact her?

  • @MizMondayFilms
    @MizMondayFilms 2 роки тому +1

    What are some good hybrid publishing companies?

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor 2 роки тому

      Hi "Miz" - I have experience only with Spark Press and She Writes Press, which are terrific.

  • @rachelthompson9324
    @rachelthompson9324 Рік тому +1

    how would you design a book about a gay or trans character's story that would interest the general public? Just curious.

  • @claireredman2826
    @claireredman2826 2 роки тому

    I am writing about the time I lived in the Amazon region of Venezuela,40 years ago and what stayed with me. I don´t knoww how to answwer how did you get there ?

    • @JodiFodor
      @JodiFodor Рік тому

      Hi Claire.
      Do you mean that you don't know how to answer the question, "What made you go there"?

  • @dalemills2906
    @dalemills2906 3 місяці тому

    Alberta canada

  • @scloftin8861
    @scloftin8861 2 роки тому +1

    So, basically the changes of the last century to this one over an ancient idiot's lifetime is not a memoir and is a boring biography. Good thing only my kids will ever see it.

  • @TMPreRaff
    @TMPreRaff 2 роки тому

    "Hot" tips?

  • @rachelthompson9324
    @rachelthompson9324 Рік тому

    JK Rolling is not a good writer