Can My Story Make a Good Memoir?

It used to be just celebrity memoirs. The average person didn’t think their life was interesting enough, so we stuck to writing fiction. But memoirs from ordinary people like you and me have seen a boom in the last decade. It turns out readers care about the mundaneness of our everyday lives. Even more, they care about stories that inspire them.  Stories that are relatable, true, and carry enough vulnerability to make them feel like imperfectly perfect humans.

Still, you can’t just write a memoir because everyone else is doing it. You can’t just write a memoir because it feels good to be an author, or because you know how powerful words are, and how damaging they can be when used for revenge. 

No, you have way more integrity than that. That’s why you are here, reading this article. You want to know before you take the plunge and do this incredibly brave thing if your story is worthy of a memoir. 

But first, what is a memoir? 

Can my story make a good memoir?

Defining a Good Memoir

Celadon books define memoir as a narrative written from the perspective of the author about an important part of their life. 

While that’s perfectly true, on a deeper level, I define memoir as an introspective story born from the author’s experience and memory. It’s a story born out of a need to connect, to shine a light on our collective human condition, and provide the reader with tools and encouragement to navigate life better. 

We don’t write memoirs because our stories are better than anyone else’s. If anything, we write memoirs because we have come to the realization that on a basic level, we are all the same. And, if we are, then we can connect and inspire each other through our shared experiences. 

I’ve always believed that a good memoir (or really any good piece of writing) must leave the reader better than they found it. So, if you are going to write your memoir, it can’t just be for the sake of entertainment. It has to be a story that leaves your reader a better version of themselves. 

But, how can you know your story is going to leave your reader better than they found it? 

4 Traits That Make Your Story a Great Memoir 

• It’s Transformational 

• It’s inspirational 

• It’s Didactic 

• It’s Directional 

Let’s break them down. 

It’s Transformational 

Did you go through a transformation in the process of your story? Do you consider yourself renewed, improved, or better? If your past self saw your present self, would they be impressed? Relieved? Overjoyed?  

Great stories never leave the characters the same. There’s always growth and development. That’s why you get frustrated when you watch a TV series and it’s season 7 but your favorite character still hasn’t undergone any change or growth. 

Your memoir must show the change you underwent and show the growth and result of said change. Your transformation must be evident to the reader by the end of the book. If there is none, if you yourself cannot admit right now that you grew for the better (and not in a prideful way) then maybe don’t write your memoir. 

It’s possible that you are still in that phase of being transformed, that your scars haven’t healed. And, if you are worried that you will never get to that stage where you can share your story, or that your transformation will somehow go unnoticed, I promise you, transformations are impossible to miss. 

In “Finding Me,” we see a woman go from being a scared, abused little girl to a woman who discovers the wonder and power of who she is. Image by Jerry Dhaliwal on Pinterest.

It’s Inspirational 

The best stories are inspiring, even fiction, and they are always the ones that stay the longest in the reader’s mind. Would you consider your story inspiring? Has anyone ever heard it and shook their head in awe?

I once wrote the story of a mom who gave birth to a child who would be dependent on her for the rest of his life, for everything. He would not grow as other children do, he would never graduate from high school, go to college, get a job or get married. He would always need constant care and attention for the rest of his life. She gave birth to this child, while her second child, still a toddler, was suffering from leukemia. By all accounts, she should be devastated, depressed, maybe even suicidal. And she was devastated. She was depressed. She did cry. But you know what I found truly inspiring about her story? The joy and love on her face for her children when I interviewed her. To know that your child would be a burden on you for the rest of your life and still love them unconditionally? Now that’s inspiring. 

My problems paled in comparison to hers, and I was inspired to live with gratitude and empathy. Your story doesn’t have to be as weighty as this. Even seemingly unimportant stories can inspire. You have no idea. 

In “When Breath Becomes Air,” even though the author dies, we are inspired by his handling of his illness and reminded to live life with more intentionality. Image from Cupofjo on Pinterest

It’s Didactic 

What did your story teach you? What did you learn from it? A good memoir is didactic, it gives the reader lessons to help them navigate life better. If the journey of your story didn’t teach you anything, how can you be certain it will teach your reader something?

You are the first recipient of the benefits of your story. The first one who learns from your experience, and because of that is determined to share with others what you have learned. So, what have you learned? What did your story teach you? If you can write down those lessons easily, and with gratitude, then you know you have a great memoir. 

And, you know the beauty of a truly good memoir with deep lessons? Everyone comes away with something different, something they can uniquely apply to their own situation. 

I think it’s important to read books from a time before you existed. Especially books about your history and people. By reading the experiences of those who came before you, there’s so much you can learn about yourself. Image by Josefinas on Pinterest

It’s Directional 

If a reader was going through the same thing you did, could your book give them a step-by-step process on how to navigate it? Can you confidently say, “These are the steps I took during my journey. It helped me, and that’s how I know it can help you.” 

Hybrid memoirs have this trait, they are often a combination of your personal stories and educational or directional content that helps the reader navigate whatever you have survived. 

What I loved about this memoir is it highlights the complexity of breaking free from toxic familial bond. And what I doubly loved is it showed that while difficult, it can be done. Image by Princess and Pages on Pinterest.

In conclusion 

When a reader picks up your memoir, they do so with a promise from you that you have something worthwhile for them. It’s your duty to uphold it from the decision to write, to the writing itself. 

Don’t just write your story because you can, write to connect, inspire and transform. 

Hi, I’m Ezinne Njoku; Ghostwriter and Editor

of unforgettable stories. I'm a lover of great stories,

and of the people who write, and have lived through

them. I think of helping to tell stories as a calling, a

gift that God has purposely given to me.

My faith is at the core of my work. That’s why I work

to deliver only the truest and most impactful stories. 

My specialty is stories that explore the human condition. Stories that drive change, inspire transformation, teach grace, humility, resilience, and love. The ones that yearn to connect with the reader and are unafraid to tell the truth. 

What is your story? Are you ready to tell it? 

Reach out, and together we will write an unforgettable story and leave an authentic legacy.