Memoir Writing for Dummies - (For Dummies) by Ryan G Van Cleave (Paperback)

About the Book

Everyone has a story to tell, and Van Cleave provides you with the tools you need to share your life story with the world. You'll get advice on how to explore your memories, map out your story, perfect your plot, and so much more.

Book Synopsis

The fast and easy way to write your memoir

Memoir writing is a growing phenomenon, and not just by celebrities and politicians. Everyone has a story to tell, and Memoir Writing For Dummies provides hopeful writers with the tools they need to share their life stories with the world and become published authors.

With easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions--along with helpful tips and advice on how to get published--Memoir Writing For Dummies shows you how to put pen to paper and hone the craft of writing a truly compelling memoir. You'll get advice on how to explore your memories, map out your story, perfect your plot, setting, character, and dialogue, and so much more.

• Includes tips on getting over writer's block
• Guides you through every step of the writing and editing processes
• Covers the best ways to market a finished memoir

Packed with proven tips and writing tricks of the trade, Memoir Writing For Dummies gives you everything you need to ensure your life story is never forgotten.

From the Back Cover

Learn to:

• Mine your past for great stories
• Choose the best structure to highlight your story
• Get your memoir published
• Market your finished memoir

Expert tips and strategies to help you craft your life story and get it published!

Memoir writing is a growing phenomenon -- and it's not just for celebrities and politicians. Everyone has a story to tell, and Memoir Writing For Dummies provides you with the tools you need to share your life story with the world. With easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions -- along with helpful tips and advice on how to get published -- Memoir Writing For Dummies shows you how to put pen to paper and hone the craft of writing a truly compelling memoir. You'll get advice on how to explore your memories, map out your story, perfect your plot, and so much more. Packed with proven tips and writing tricks of the trade, Memoir Writing For Dummies gives you everything you need to ensure your life story is never forgotten.

• Remember the past -- put on your research cap and uncover your memories
• Get over writer's block -- find out how to deal with distractions and focus on the task
• Write your first draft -- develop your structure, setting, characters, and dialogue
• Edit your work -- explore ways to push your story to the next level and make revisions like the pros
• Get published -- understand the publishing process and decide which route is right for you
• Market your memoir -- develop strategies to get the word out about your memoir

Open the book and find:

• Ways to unlock your memories
• Writing exercises in each chapter to improve your manuscript
• How to use metaphor and figurative language
• Strategies for fine-tuning your story
• Tips for editing your work
• How to find a literary agent
• Understanding the difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing
• Ways to promote your finished product

About the Author

Ryan G. Van Cleave, PhD, is the author of 20 books, including creative writing textbooks, an illustrated humor book, a young adult novel, and a bestselling memoir.?He lives in Sarasota, Florida, where he works as an international speaker, a freelance writer, and the creative writing coordinator for The Ringling College of Art + Design. He has taught memoir writing at numerous universities as well as at prisons, community centers, and urban at-risk youth programs.