Writing a memoir requires the skill sets and virtues of a knight. The author needs unparalleled bravery and must possess an honest and true heart. They have to show humility and be generous to the others mentioned in the book (even if those people harmed our hero).
But how do you find the theme of the tale you want to tell?
Let’s dive into that now!
Start with the end to find your memoir theme
A good memoir takes the reader on a journey of a courageous hero (you). Your path should lead to growth or accomplishment of a goal (if it doesn’t, please rethink writing the book). This growth or accomplishment will point you in the direction of your memoir theme.
While the spoils of war, the victories, are the focus of your memoir, lessons will be learned along the way. Keep in mind, that means your mistakes will be exposed for all to see. But in the end, you should be the conquering hero.
And the reader will be by your side, sharing in your victory.
For instance, if you are a successful businessperson and wish to share your story, your theme might be how you slayed your personal demons that threatened to hold you back while you worked to rise up in the business world. I’ve written quite a few memoirs with this message.
Or perhaps you survived a life-threatening illness. In that case, your memoir theme would be centered around the successful life changes that guided you to health.
So, look carefully at your story. Where did you win? What did you do to get there? That’s where you’ll find your theme.
Summarize your book in one or two sentences
When you complete your book, you’ll often be asked “What’s your story about?” It’s good to tackle this question right at the start. When you first sit down to write out an answer, it might take you a few hundred words to summarize your 50,000-word book. That’s normal.
Remove the extraneous words and explanations and work to pare the description down to a single line or two. Thoroughly examine what your story is about. I know. It isn’t easy, but you have to edit it down.
This description will come in handy when you need an “elevator pitch” later. And in the short run, it will help you uncover your primary theme. For instance, if your book is about your grueling escape from a communist country to find success in America, your memoir theme might be: Persistence wins in the end.
Step back and look at the big picture
It can be hard, when you review your life, to find a theme. After all, it was your life and it can be hard to be objective. That’s probably why a lot of people reach out to me to help them ghostwrite their memoirs. It’s often tough to do on your own.
If you’re writing your book yourself, try telling someone who doesn’t know your story about your life story. This may help you sort it out because they’ll probably ask questions and make comments. Note these. If you are not ready to share your story quite yet, try stepping back and asking yourself questions you think your reader would ask about your story.
“Why did you make that choice?”
“What was your mindset when you traveled that path?”
“What would you do differently now that you know what you know today?”
These kinds of questions can help you formulate a good memoir theme because your answers are the successful solutions you developed. They brought you to the place you are today!
Your readers may be able to resolve their issues and be victorious in whatever battles they are fighting when they follow in your brave footsteps and apply your successful solutions. That’s the beauty of a good theme. You, the fearless knight, can really inspire and help others.
Please feel free to email me if you need a little help!
For additional reading material, check these out:
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Ghostwriter
Your Guide to Hiring a Ghostwriter
