THE BEST MEMOIRS are written without the fear of three things: The rules, books that have come before, or of fitting neatly into a certain sense of genre. And while this word “fearless,” much like the word “authentic,” is getting a bad name these days in its overuse, writing memoir fearlessly is a good ethic to follow. I am reassured of this after reading a breathtaking interview with two of best memoir writers around.
Taken from what must have been one hell of a night onstage, this interview with the Guardian is excerpted from a recent live event in London. Oh, to have been in London that night. But alas, we were not, but thank goodness for the online life that allows us to listen in.
Here, the great Helen Macdonald, author of H is for Hawk, and Jeanette Winterson, author of Why be Happy When You Can Be Normal?, give us some memoir tips, all of which are worth committing to memory, writing on a board, tacking to your wall, carrying in your wallet, or whatever it is you must do to take them, use them and get back to work.
So get back to work.
Diane Cameron says
Oh Marion–this arrived in my inbox at the exact moment I needed it. I have been listening to “Hawk” after reading it and thinking, “This would never have survived an MFA workshop.” She would have been beaten:) and wondering how I will get all the pieces and parts of my book to line up–or not line up. LOved hearing from these fabulous writers.
marion says
You are most welcome, Diane. I was amazed by the breadth of this discussion. So glad it helped.