On the Topic of Memoir

In the January 25, 2010 edition of NEW YORKER magazine, writer Daniel Mendelsohn refers to the memoir genre as a "sometimes negative examination of self."  He goes on to distinguish memoir ("specific things that have happened) from novel ("a truth about life").   The importance of truth in memoir should take precedent over its aesthetic value or appeal.  For if a memoir writer wanders too far into embellishing, his or her work is no longer memoir, rather, it becomes fiction.  Recently more than a few nationally-acclaimed writers who  have purportedly written memois have been discovered to have written many things in their books that simply never happened.  With that all said, I would also argue it is important for neophyte writers to understand that there is no "right way" or "wrong way" of telling their stories.  Structure and method may be important some day, but in the beginning just getting brave and curious enough to start writing on a regular basis should be a new writer's goal for the time being.  The writer needs to be comfortable in how the tale is told, for that comfort will translate to easy reading by the reader.  A reader's finding her voice and sticking with it is important.  Being observant about the things happening in life around you, and writing your impressions of these occurrences, helps build confidence and ability.  Happy writing!  Rod H.