This is so helpful in getting traction on what to write, where to start, or finding the focus thru one or two of these structures. As a first-time memoir writer, i truly appreciate your words of wisdom and experience.
Thanks, Louisa, for helping to clarify this aspect of the plot structure. I can see two of the plot points in my story: 1) addiction and, 2) quest. The addiction starts with alcohol in my early teens and grows throughout my working career with chronic maijuana use until I was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease while traveling. That's when I finally quit alcohol and all substance abuse cold turkey and triumphed over those demons. But I wasn't done. From there my journey became a continuing quest for emotional survival, ultimately seeking understanding and reconciliation with my loss and grief over the cancer deaths of my parents: one by literally turning off the machines keeping my father alive; and two, working with my brother to assist my mother in her fervent desire to die when doctors declined to help. Does that sound like a reasonable plot stucture?
The tentative title of my 2nd memoir, is The Builder's Wife. I think it's Voyage and Return, but it's not a travel memoir, more of a moving, leaving, and returning memoir at great expense and heart break I might add!! lol.
Does a life story have to be either an autobiography or a memior? I would like to write my story, with a plot, as a hybrid of both but cannot find any teaching related to this concept. My story is a story in itself complete with plot, structure etc but struggle to compartmentalise is as a genre. Am I nuts?
you can write whatever you want! But to sell it to a publisher, it will need a specific category as defined by what's sellable in the book market. Unless you're famous, a memoir rather than an autobiography is how you'd define a personal story for publication.
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Informative video...keep sharing these great tips.
This was very helpful! Thank you Louisa 🙏🏻❤️
You're so welcome!
This is so helpful in getting traction on what to write, where to start, or finding the focus thru one or two of these structures. As a first-time memoir writer, i truly appreciate your words of wisdom and experience.
You're so welcome! I loved learning these plots too, it helped me know where to start.
Thanks, Louisa, for helping to clarify this aspect of the plot structure. I can see two of the plot points in my story: 1) addiction and, 2) quest. The addiction starts with alcohol in my early teens and grows throughout my working career with chronic maijuana use until I was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease while traveling. That's when I finally quit alcohol and all substance abuse cold turkey and triumphed over those demons. But I wasn't done. From there my journey became a continuing quest for emotional survival, ultimately seeking understanding and reconciliation with my loss and grief over the cancer deaths of my parents: one by literally turning off the machines keeping my father alive; and two, working with my brother to assist my mother in her fervent desire to die when doctors declined to help.
Does that sound like a reasonable plot stucture?
Addiction is the overcoming the monster basic plot and quest is definitely one of my favourites. Glad you found two that you can use!
The tentative title of my 2nd memoir, is The Builder's Wife. I think it's Voyage and Return, but it's not a travel memoir, more of a moving, leaving, and returning memoir at great expense and heart break I might add!! lol.
yes, you can use that basic plot for more than just travel memoirs 🙂
Mine started with the abandonment first
Does a life story have to be either an autobiography or a memior? I would like to write my story, with a plot, as a hybrid of both but cannot find any teaching related to this concept. My story is a story in itself complete with plot, structure etc but struggle to compartmentalise is as a genre. Am I nuts?
you can write whatever you want! But to sell it to a publisher, it will need a specific category as defined by what's sellable in the book market. Unless you're famous, a memoir rather than an autobiography is how you'd define a personal story for publication.
@@LouisaDeaseytvThankyou.