I love to read both memoir and fiction. I enjoy discovering the insight provided by the memoirist when she makes her point in the slice of life story she is telling. In fiction, I enjoy the more plot and action-based stories of adventure, cozy mysteries, and romance.
But to write, I think writing fiction is far easier than writing memoir. Because in fiction, the writer can make up whatever she needs in order to make the story work, to make it intriguing. Is it easy? No. Not for me. But I can do things in fiction that I can’t do in memoir. Let’s say the protagonist in a fiction story needs some deep-seated reason to be fearful of relationships or to be afraid of bears. The writer creates the circumstances. Let’s say the writer needs an informant. Created. An antagonist? No problem. The characters need to be three-dimensional to appear real? Backstory can be made to order in fiction.
In memoir, the story the writer tells is true. There are demonstrative facts showing it to be so. The writer can’t, or shouldn’t, make up a memoir story. The writer can’t change when things happen or where they happen. She can’t create fictitious characters or change the beliefs of a real person whom she includes in her personal memoir story to make the story more exciting. She can’t add scenes that never happen to increase tension.
In memoir, the writer needs to find the story in the slice of life she wishes to share with the reader. She needs to find her point to be sure she knows what it is so she can relay it to the reader. Then the memoirist proves her point by shaping the true story in an interesting way, by creating scenes with true details and populating them with real people who matter to the protagonist in her journey. Then the memoirist interprets these scenes and happenings for the reader, to show the reader the insight gleaned from what really happened, to demonstrate the shift in mindset of the protagonist.
That being my understanding between the two genres, I like to write adventure story. I’ve had the most success creating young adult adventure story, “man or woman versus nature” adventure. As some of you know, I have camped with five children for years. You can discover our adventures camping across the United States and up into Canada at Camping with Five Kids.
Most of my YA adventure stories begin in a location we have visited while camping with kids. But as many of you know, any children’s writing needs to have a child protagonist who saves the day—not an adult stepping in to “fix” things. This is where the fiction comes into play. In fact, the first story I sold to Cricket Magazine had my teen protagonist with her younger brother lost in a cave. I needed to give the protagonist the backstory to be able to get them out of the cave without help from an adult. After I’ve sold several stories to Cricket, my editor did ask me in a confidential e-mail if I’ve ever let my children go explore a cave by themselves or hike in a national park by themselves and meet a mountain lion. The answer, of course, is no. That’s where the “fiction” comes in. But my editor does check out my Camping with Five Kids blog to see where we’ve been and the photos of national parks or the difference between the sugar cone pine cone and the redwood and sequoia pine cones.
My family and camping adventures are my inspiration—especially for my YA adventure stories. Where do you find inspiration to write in your particular genre? Thanks so much for visiting! Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me online. Leave your blog link in your comment so I can be sure to do the same for you.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. We post on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
With a memoir, what you're writing has to be really compelling and interesting since you can't change it to make it better. It's got to be good already.
Very informative and thought-out post, Victoria. You are such a wise and experienced woman and writer! I’ve never written fiction, so I have no idea how easy or difficult it would be. One needs imagination for that, while writing non-fiction is compelling writing about the facts, or your life. I’ve found that quite easy and straightforward, but… I’ve never sold a book. 🙂
When it comes to reading, which I love to do, I have zero time, really. So far this year, I’ve only read two books as a beta reader. I have many downloaded and hard copies, but they’ll have to wait until I have downtime.
Fiction writing does seem like it would be easier writing than memoir. So cool you have all that camping experience and adventure to use as fodder for your stories too. Happy IWSG!
That's great that you can draw from your camping trips for your stories. I agree that fiction is easier than memoir.
I can see how a memoir is tough to get right so admire those writing them. Fiction is easier as we create the necessary ingredient – but we need to ensure things like motivation ring true. Well, that's where I struggle.
I adore memoirs, too. I've even dabbled in writing my own…
Interesting take on the fiction vs memoir. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
Interesting analysis of fiction v. memoir. It's tough to stick to the facts when writing about oneself.
I'm writing dark/horror right now. Not surprisingly, there is no end of inspiration for dark stories in real life.
Fiction can be easier, and more enjoyable at times. I look forward to reading more from you. Happy Writing!
My inspiration for writing, unfortunately, comes from my fears. I think I do this to work them out of my subconscious. Thank you for this post.
Great post! I always enjoy your Camping with Five Kids stories. Congrats on many of your stories being published in Cricket magazine!
This is so true, Alex. Thanks for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your weekend!
I've never sold a book yet either, Liesbet. I think memoir is a little more straightforward as well, although writers need to use creativity in how they present their story.
Gosh! I know about the zero time for reading books. Actually, I try to "reward" myself by reading other books. I love getting lost in someone else's story. Writing my own is much more difficult.
Thank you so much for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. It's greatly appreciated. Enjoy your weekend!
Thanks, Juneta! We have the best adventures Camping with Five Kids. And yes, the kids know I use our adventures as a basis for my stories.
Thanks for your note here at Adventures in Writing. It's greatly appreciated. Happy IWSG day, or in my case–week!
Thanks, Natalie! Like I told Juneta above, the kids know I use these adventures. Sometimes, I think they up the adventure just to make it more interesting.
Thanks for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. It's greatly appreciated. Have a great weekend!
You are not alone, Roland. I struggle in getting motivation true for my fiction characters, too.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts here at Adventures in Writing. It's greatly appreciated. Have a great weekend!
Good for you, Chrys! I adore memoirs, too, but they can be tricky to write.
It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks for your note. Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you, Anna! And thanks for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. It's greatly appreciated. Have a great weekend!
Yes it is tough to stick to the facts when writing about oneself. Sometimes, it's tough to even find the facts to write about. Unfortunately, you are right, Lee. There is much to inspire dark stories going on right now in life.
Thanks for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. All the luck with your writing project.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Sylvia! Thanks so much for stopping by. Yes, writing fiction can be easier and more enjoyable to me, too. Thank you for your kind words! All best to you.
You know Dawn, much of my memoir deals with my fears about education and feeling good enough to be there and feeling as though I belong in the academic setting. I think a lot of writing is dealing with the author's fears of some kind, whether it's fiction or nonfiction.
It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks for your note. Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Michelle. I truly appreciate them. And thanks for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your weekend!