What a great question! I started to answer it here, but decided to turn it into a full article — I had a lot to say

http://theadventurouswriter.com/blogwriting/tips-for-writing-your-memoirs-without-hurting-family-members/

I hope this helps, and welcome your thoughts.

All good things,
Laurie

I’m a Personal Historian. For 17 yrs I have assisted others – documenting and preserving their legacy, writing personal biographies or company histories. I produce legacy books, published to enable inter-generational transfer that if re-adopted / re-affirmed provides betterment of others for generations.

Your Memories – Your Legacy – Your Enduring Life !

I also liked your emphasis on seeking out times of change in the life story writer’s life. I think that tip will be a real motivator.

Thanks for the post.

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement. The memoir is based on a man’s life that reads like a movie. He escaped from communist Hungary in the 60′s only to be held as a spy in a neighboring country. He got his Fiance out first and she married someone else while he was being held as a spy. His life started with a bomb landing less than ten feet from the stroller he was in – and the bomb didn’t explode.

So as you can imagine, I’m very excited about this project.
.-= George Angus´s last blog post ..Caution, Book Review Crossing =-.

I spent seven years living in Peru and have started to write a culinary-sort-of-memoir of that time. So much of adapting to the culture there revolved around food and, more importantly, sharing it with people.

More than once I have been surprised by the way a moment really made me feel or a lesson I never knew I learned from it only after I have written a draft of the essay. It’s fascinating and compelling.

But, like many, life has gotten in the way of my writing practice. I’m encouraged by the comment that dedicating only fifteen minutes a few times a week will allow the unconscious to get ready to write. Surely I can find that much time each week!

Thanks for the renewed inspiration,
Lisa

Thanks so much for your comment. I’m always glad to have been of help.

Ghost-writing someone else’s life can be one of the most fascinating of experiences. In my book I describe how I worked with two memoirists, one a notorious criminal and escaper, and the other a World War Two veteran. In each case my task was to keep asking them questions: ‘So what did it feel like…?’ “What did that look like…”

As they recalled the details they not only provided a better story, but the real emotional weight of the material became plain, for the first time. If they hadn’t had me to work with I suspect their stories would have been understated and rather flat. In stead of that, the narratives became truly alive.

Good luck on your adventure!

Best, Allan