What a good summary of the process you went through, Faith.
I completely agree that writing in instalments, as we tend to do on Substack, is a way of tricking yourself into writing a lot, by writing a little at a time. I had no idea when I started posting here 9 months ago whether I'd be able to sustain it. The thought of writing a book was so daunting I had never been able to start. Yet here, I've been telling the stories I want to tell, by breaking them into distinct chunks.
Your serialised memoir was gripping! Looking forward to what's next.
Thank you Wendy! Yes that's exactly it! It must feel so good to look back at your body of work now. Would you like to put them together into a book one day?
Maybe, Faith, not sure! I was mainly thinking of how stories don’t get passed down the generations unless you record them in some way. I’ve ended up as ‘keeper’ of so many of my family’s stories and artefacts, that I wanted to include those as well as my own. I had in mind something my grandchildren might eventually want to read. It’s a bonus to find that other people enjoy it!
If you expanded into a full length book I would read it (duh). I've always thought the same about a book though - I genuinely don't think I have that many words in me. Interesting reflections - the cliff hangers were great but it was your humour and how 'you' (like as a person) came through in the writing that made me want to read more and more. Also I actually remember coming to Track 5 a wee bit late and now I'm worried that reflected badly on me as a feminist... 😂
Must confess, I’m now considering ripping you off (using your mini memoir as inspiration!) to try do something similar from a time in my life. I just think it worked so well to draw people in.
Lovely Faith, what a great summary. I loved this series so much, you bought your parents to life ! I feel like I know them . You do have to think really carefully when including friends and family don’t you! Most of my dating stories subjects I’ve never seen again and I never will. All my shadows of the heart series are heavy and not flattering to the people either but again, no longer in my life! I want to write about something from my childhood that is mind blowing , no secret , all my mates know, but I don’t know how to write it sensitively whilst family read this! And my grandads memoirs are breaking my heart 🥺🥺🥺 I honestly don’t know how I’m doing it !
Thank you Francis - that's lovely feedback. Yes it's so emotional isn't it? And can leave you feeling quite vulnerable, but I think that's what makes great writing. I guess there's the option to publish something anonymously, but then again, I'm too vain for that - I want the glory!!
I absolutely loved this series Faith. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Your point about responsibility hits home. I'm cooking something that references both my parents' upbringings and I decided I couldn't go any further with it until I'd asked them. Both very cool about it, but they're going to read it and I didn't want to hit them with it out of the blue.
Thanks so much Lewis, yes it's a delicate one. I have a friend from university who was reading it, and who I could feel was getting a little anxious as the timeline got closer to us meeting in real life!
I loved the series and this thoughtful look back at the process!
I agree that planning is key. I wrote a somewhat fictionalized memoir book and took some time to outline the structure based on a 5-act play. At the end of everything, it was so important to have a story arc with characters that were developed and grew over the course of the story. We’re not respecting our readers if we don’t put that time in.
Also, I hear what you’re saying about not offending living characters and only limiting knowledge to what was known back then. My book was told in the first person, present tense, which made it quite confining - no omniscient adult narrator with knowledge of the present!
It took me decades to get ready to write it, about 4 months to write once I had the outline done (not a very detailed outline-about a page). Then, say, another 4 months to edit. Maybe another month for cover and interior template. I went the self-published route using Amazon (KDP). See “Spazzy Square” on Amazon.
Gosh, that's interesting. Did you enjoy the editing process or did you feel as if you were fed up of reading what you'd written by then? I'm not sure I'd be able to ever finish playing about with it!
It wasn’t too bad, but I did end up a bit sick of it. It’s just a matter of forcing yourself to read it - the edits come naturally. You also need to take breaks. That’s why editing took a while.
I then didn’t read the book as a book - start to finish - until a few years later.
Thank you so much John, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I like the sound of fictionalised memoir - then no one gets hurt! That structure sounds like a great idea too - I can imagine how that would be a helpful format - I might try that. How long did it take to write your book?
Thank you so much for sharing, Faith. I've been thinking of serialising something on here and have been looking for people who have done so successfully, whatever that means. Your observations here are actually really helpful tips 🤓
You were worried this might be dull? I'm telling you, impossible!
Okay, perhaps it lacks the verve of your 7-track memoir, but it's so insightful and very useful, and honestly, I enjoyed it.
This statement really resonated with me: "But who wants to ‘plan’ or bother with boring old ‘structure’ when they’re itching to tell their story?!)" It's such a good point. All of us think we've led interesting lives and many of us struggle with "what to tell?" and "where to begin?" but to tell everything is so risky and unless you're the best storyteller in the world and have lived a fascinating life, no one is likely to read it.
I'm stealing someone else's thoughts here (this is the 2nd time I've done this) but re: point 8, feedback, what made your mix tape so good was the way you presented things. It was more than merely 'interesting', a case in point being the popularity of the economics-heavy post. Whether it was that, or heavier themes, it was presented in a light and engaging way that compelled us to read. And the cliffhanger element was a great touch.
I know my comments tend to be long and rambling, but I do want to mention what I shared the other day - what isn't a memoir these days? For some writers, me included, almost every post is memoirish. I've written a draft post on this topic and I've mentioned you as a case study (I'll share those thoughts privately - I don't want to publish it without your permission).
But the TL:DR version is - we might look at some people and think 'how did their life come to this? is there a story to tell? do all memoirs have to be about grief, trauma, suffering and heartache? why are they the way they are?'
I'll stop now. Looking forward to seeing what's next on the horizon. Tape two, the working years?
Thank you Daniel! You're so kind. Yes I almost mentioned in this one actually, your comment about all Substacks being memoir really, which I suppose they are. They're all bits of ourselves anyway. I look forward to reading the case study.
I really appreciate your comments on the readability and agree that not everything has to be massive trauma, suffering etc. I suppose it's too late for that now anyway because we have all these platforms to share so much on, that it's unlikely all of it is going to be 'big ticket' stuff. As long as people like reading it, I think it's ok.
Yes completely James. So much so that I wondered if it was really 'right' that I was following what mood I was in sometimes. But I prefer this in a way as it makes it more exciting to write.
I love that idea that you often discover way you’re trying to say by the act of writing it down. And it often comes out very different to what you expect.
What a good summary of the process you went through, Faith.
I completely agree that writing in instalments, as we tend to do on Substack, is a way of tricking yourself into writing a lot, by writing a little at a time. I had no idea when I started posting here 9 months ago whether I'd be able to sustain it. The thought of writing a book was so daunting I had never been able to start. Yet here, I've been telling the stories I want to tell, by breaking them into distinct chunks.
Your serialised memoir was gripping! Looking forward to what's next.
Thank you Wendy! Yes that's exactly it! It must feel so good to look back at your body of work now. Would you like to put them together into a book one day?
Maybe, Faith, not sure! I was mainly thinking of how stories don’t get passed down the generations unless you record them in some way. I’ve ended up as ‘keeper’ of so many of my family’s stories and artefacts, that I wanted to include those as well as my own. I had in mind something my grandchildren might eventually want to read. It’s a bonus to find that other people enjoy it!
If you expanded into a full length book I would read it (duh). I've always thought the same about a book though - I genuinely don't think I have that many words in me. Interesting reflections - the cliff hangers were great but it was your humour and how 'you' (like as a person) came through in the writing that made me want to read more and more. Also I actually remember coming to Track 5 a wee bit late and now I'm worried that reflected badly on me as a feminist... 😂
You’re so funny Ruby. Thank you so much, love these comments and finding out which bits you liked. I’m so glad you found it genuinely compelling.
Another quality read, Faith! Helpful too.
Must confess, I’m now considering ripping you off (using your mini memoir as inspiration!) to try do something similar from a time in my life. I just think it worked so well to draw people in.
Excellent Andy do it! And thankyou 😊
Lovely Faith, what a great summary. I loved this series so much, you bought your parents to life ! I feel like I know them . You do have to think really carefully when including friends and family don’t you! Most of my dating stories subjects I’ve never seen again and I never will. All my shadows of the heart series are heavy and not flattering to the people either but again, no longer in my life! I want to write about something from my childhood that is mind blowing , no secret , all my mates know, but I don’t know how to write it sensitively whilst family read this! And my grandads memoirs are breaking my heart 🥺🥺🥺 I honestly don’t know how I’m doing it !
Thank you Francis - that's lovely feedback. Yes it's so emotional isn't it? And can leave you feeling quite vulnerable, but I think that's what makes great writing. I guess there's the option to publish something anonymously, but then again, I'm too vain for that - I want the glory!!
This is a masterclass in being a reflective practitioner as a writer.
That's so lovely Mike, thank you! And for all your support.
I absolutely loved this series Faith. Thanks so much for sharing it.
Your point about responsibility hits home. I'm cooking something that references both my parents' upbringings and I decided I couldn't go any further with it until I'd asked them. Both very cool about it, but they're going to read it and I didn't want to hit them with it out of the blue.
Thanks so much Lewis, yes it's a delicate one. I have a friend from university who was reading it, and who I could feel was getting a little anxious as the timeline got closer to us meeting in real life!
I loved the series and this thoughtful look back at the process!
I agree that planning is key. I wrote a somewhat fictionalized memoir book and took some time to outline the structure based on a 5-act play. At the end of everything, it was so important to have a story arc with characters that were developed and grew over the course of the story. We’re not respecting our readers if we don’t put that time in.
Also, I hear what you’re saying about not offending living characters and only limiting knowledge to what was known back then. My book was told in the first person, present tense, which made it quite confining - no omniscient adult narrator with knowledge of the present!
It took me decades to get ready to write it, about 4 months to write once I had the outline done (not a very detailed outline-about a page). Then, say, another 4 months to edit. Maybe another month for cover and interior template. I went the self-published route using Amazon (KDP). See “Spazzy Square” on Amazon.
Gosh, that's interesting. Did you enjoy the editing process or did you feel as if you were fed up of reading what you'd written by then? I'm not sure I'd be able to ever finish playing about with it!
It wasn’t too bad, but I did end up a bit sick of it. It’s just a matter of forcing yourself to read it - the edits come naturally. You also need to take breaks. That’s why editing took a while.
I then didn’t read the book as a book - start to finish - until a few years later.
I can imagine! Were you pleased with it when you re-read it? I often think time helps with these things.
Yes, I was pleasantly surprised!
Thank you so much John, I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I like the sound of fictionalised memoir - then no one gets hurt! That structure sounds like a great idea too - I can imagine how that would be a helpful format - I might try that. How long did it take to write your book?
And, as far as living characters not getting their feelings hurt, still not easy to avoid even when you have, say, a fictional mother and father.
Thank you so much for sharing, Faith. I've been thinking of serialising something on here and have been looking for people who have done so successfully, whatever that means. Your observations here are actually really helpful tips 🤓
Ah that’s great thank you Lisa. So glad it was helpful. I look forward to reading yours 😊
You were worried this might be dull? I'm telling you, impossible!
Okay, perhaps it lacks the verve of your 7-track memoir, but it's so insightful and very useful, and honestly, I enjoyed it.
This statement really resonated with me: "But who wants to ‘plan’ or bother with boring old ‘structure’ when they’re itching to tell their story?!)" It's such a good point. All of us think we've led interesting lives and many of us struggle with "what to tell?" and "where to begin?" but to tell everything is so risky and unless you're the best storyteller in the world and have lived a fascinating life, no one is likely to read it.
I'm stealing someone else's thoughts here (this is the 2nd time I've done this) but re: point 8, feedback, what made your mix tape so good was the way you presented things. It was more than merely 'interesting', a case in point being the popularity of the economics-heavy post. Whether it was that, or heavier themes, it was presented in a light and engaging way that compelled us to read. And the cliffhanger element was a great touch.
I know my comments tend to be long and rambling, but I do want to mention what I shared the other day - what isn't a memoir these days? For some writers, me included, almost every post is memoirish. I've written a draft post on this topic and I've mentioned you as a case study (I'll share those thoughts privately - I don't want to publish it without your permission).
But the TL:DR version is - we might look at some people and think 'how did their life come to this? is there a story to tell? do all memoirs have to be about grief, trauma, suffering and heartache? why are they the way they are?'
I'll stop now. Looking forward to seeing what's next on the horizon. Tape two, the working years?
Thank you Daniel! You're so kind. Yes I almost mentioned in this one actually, your comment about all Substacks being memoir really, which I suppose they are. They're all bits of ourselves anyway. I look forward to reading the case study.
I really appreciate your comments on the readability and agree that not everything has to be massive trauma, suffering etc. I suppose it's too late for that now anyway because we have all these platforms to share so much on, that it's unlikely all of it is going to be 'big ticket' stuff. As long as people like reading it, I think it's ok.
Did you find yourself following expected paths as you wrote?
Yes completely James. So much so that I wondered if it was really 'right' that I was following what mood I was in sometimes. But I prefer this in a way as it makes it more exciting to write.
I love that idea that you often discover way you’re trying to say by the act of writing it down. And it often comes out very different to what you expect.
😉
Yes! This basically sums up my complete approach! I think this is why I like writing so much. It's a way to think.