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A memoir is more than a list of things that happened; it is the story of a life, shaped with purpose.
Look at this example of a Caribbean boy’s journey through life, from St. Croix to Hollywood, as told by Irwin Gould in his eponymous series of memoirs: The Book of Irwin Gould.
His story works because it is built on a strong memoir structure, which turned scattered memories into a powerful story.
You can do this too.
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What is a Memoir Structure?
A memoir structure is the whole plan for what you’re writing, how you’ll be arranging your story from the tangle of memories that you need to sort out.
Without a plan, your life story will feel messy or confusing. With a plan, though, your reader can follow your journey without headaches.
Irwin Gould’s series shows this well: the first book covers his early life and his break into movies. In contrast, the second one focuses on his business journey. The third one is all about his health philosophy.
Each book has its own focus, but all are part of his larger life story.
This is a memoir structure at work.
Starting with the Perspective
A memoir can be written in any number of ways, but it is much more impactful if it’s read from the first-person perspective because it creates a direct connection with your reader.
They see the world through your eyes.
The Book of Irwin Gould starts immediately with Irwin’s perspective:
“Who would have thought that a boy like me, born on a small, tropical island in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, would one day grow up to appear in some of Hollywood’s biggest movies?”
The first-person perspective pulls you into his world.
When you write or speak, speak as yourself. Do not try to sound like a formal historian. Be honest and personal.
Your voice is what makes your narrative yours.
Chronological Storytelling
One of the simplest and most common ways to structure a memoir is to use chronological storytelling–telling your events in the order they happened, from beginning to middle to end.
It is a natural way for the reader to follow your growth.
Gould’s first book uses this method effectively as he starts with his childhood in St. Croix:
“Life growing up in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands in the late 70s and 80s, revolved around home, church, and school.”
He then moves through running away at the age of sixteen, surviving Hurricane Hugo, moving to New York, and finally, catching his big break in acting.
If your story is about how you became who you are, this memoir structure is a great choice.
Thematic Story Arcs
Sometimes, your life story is better told through themes rather than just factual dates. A thematic story arc organizes your memoir around central ideas or lessons, rather than a strict time order.
Each part of The Book of Irwin Gould series explores a different theme.
- Book 1: From childhood to Hollywood fame.
- Book 2: Building a business and recognizing life’s signs.
- Book 3: A philosophy of health and self-reliance.
Building Your Personal Narrative
Your personal narrative framework is the skeleton of your memoir, including the key elements that every story needs, shaped by your personal truth. Think of these elements:
- The Setup: Who were you at the start? Describe your world.
- The Challenge: What was the main struggle or turning point?
- The Journey: What did you do? What did you learn?
- The Change: How were you different by the end?
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Useful Memoir Writing Techniques
Here are some simple memoir writing techniques to make your story come alive.
1. Be vivid with your scenes and don’t just say “my father was strict.” Show it with a scene.
Gould recalls:
“The night before my 16th birthday would be the last time he hit me. The next day… I gathered my belongings, and left for good.”
This scene is powerful and specific, bringing the reader to the moment.
2. Include dialogue because conversations make memories feel alive.
3. Reflect on the possible meaning of events. A memoir isn’t just about what happened, but what it meant to you. Share your thoughts about what happened in your life.
Gould reflects on his father’s discipline:
“I have lived to see the value of my strict upbringing. I have never been arrested and have always worked hard…”
4. Be selective with what to include. You cannot include every single memory–that’s just impossible and will quickly bore your readers. Choose details that serve your thematic story arcs.
Gould doesn’t list every audition. He focuses on the key ones that taught him lessons, like that time he was a part of a brownie commercial or his meeting with Michael Bay.
Each story has a purpose in the memoir’s structure.
Putting Your Memoir Structure Together
Start by collecting your memories and writing them down as they come. Then, look for overarching patterns. Do your stories fit a timeline? Do they group around big ideas?
Choose the memoir structure—chronological or thematic—that best fits your material.
Outline your chapters. For a chronological memoir structure, your chapter titles might be years or life stages. For a thematic memoir structure, your chapters might be named after values or lessons.
Write your first draft using a first-person perspective.
Do not worry about perfection. Just get the stories down.
Then revise, revise, revise, making sure each scene and reflection support your personal narrative framework.
Irwin Gould’s personal journey from being a Caribbean boy to a Hollywood actor sets a powerful example for his readers to follow.
His books show that with a clear memoir structure, any life has the potential to become a compelling story.
Remember, the devil is in the details, but a good plan makes managing those details possible.
Your story is worth telling.
Ready to see these memoir writing techniques in action? Dive into the inspiring true story of resilience and success. Get your copy of The Book of Irwin Gould as quickly as you can.
