Easy memoir story arc

Are you frustrated with your memoir? Are there too many details and story threads? There are many writers who know their lives are worthy of a book, but pesky particulars get in the way. How do you sort out what to leave in or junk?
 
The answer is simple. All good stories have one easy plot line: The Protagonist overcomes fears and flaws to become a hero.
 
You are the hero of your memoir. The early part of your book must show your fears and flaws, the middle part shows you confronting – and flailing against – those fears and flaws, and the end is when you overcome them.
 
The problem for many memoirists is they think their personal struggle is not enough, so they focus on “Dad’s flaws,” “my boss’s flaws,” or “my sister’s flaws.” Those are obstacles, but your memoir story arc is about your personal fears and flaws, which may include “I cared too much about my Dad, my boss, or my sister.” 

Trust me, you truly are a hero who overcame fears and flaws to make the world better – and your readers are waiting to hear your story. Let’s push forward and bring your heroic story to life with this week’s easy prompt. Just write for 15 minutes and enjoy the time to tell your story. Just do the weekly exercises and all the pieces will come together.

Here is your prompt for the week: In my memoir, these are my fears that I will fight against and finally overcome....

Happiness is....

Happiness, the pursuit of happiness, I’m happy, you’re happy, we’re all happy! Belly laughs! Oh, I don’t want much for my children, just that they be happy!
 
There is nothing so basic as our search for happiness. Are you ready to find happiness? Here we go.
 
Happiness is a simple equation. “Happy” comes from a word in languages from Greek to Irish that means “lucky.” So, if you feel lucky, then you feel happy. If you feel you were lucky to marry your awesome spouse, then you feel happy. If you feel lucky to retire and travel the world, then happiness is your state. If you encountered no line at Starbucks today, then you know what follows. And if you failed to achieve those things, then you may feel unlucky and unhappy.
 
Controlling luck is why so many people are competitive. They believe besting a friend or foe in some way, by being richer, smarter, fancier, means they are luckier. This is a short term win because over time that activity turns the winner into a loser, by breaking friendships. It’s better to find “luck” on a deeper level that doesn’t require competition with those near and dear.
 
Let’s take a look at memoir readers.
 
Memoir readers want to feel their time spent reading your book was good fortune. That means your book must be one of these:

1. Your memoir must be beautifully written, so the reader is transported through language and feels lucky to have read your words; or
2. Your memoir must offer incredible insights, so the reader feels lucky to have walked days with you; or
3. Your memoir must be a lucky story that turns the Hero’s misfortune into something shimmering with majesty. This is the surest way to connect with readers who are often hoping for some Fairy Godmother or lucky break in their own lives. Many readers subconsciously feel unlucky in life and the only way they know how to change that feeling is through reading a book, so your job is to give them hope that luck is coming on the next page.

Think about the books you have been lucky to read and ask yourself what made the book special and what made it shimmer in your memory. In your bones, you are aching to give the same good fortune to your reader. Your reader wants to get lucky, and your book will bring great happiness. Here’s how.
 
Write for 15 minutes on each of these prompts without stopping and enjoy uncovering your lucky life!
 
The luckiest thing that ever happened to me was…..

I made my luck change by…..

And if you are writing about being in today's long line at Starbucks, why not change the story into your great fortune for having time to talk to a new coffee friend? Luck is how you look at life, and you are very lucky indeed.
 
Sending long distance hugs and good wishes,
Janette