Writing a Memoir From a Journal

Recently, I had the chance to collaborate with Fig Factor Media on an extraordinary memoir, Gold is Where it Finds You, from a wonderful new author, Brian Johnson. Writing a memoir is never effortless, but Brian made it a bit easier because he already had a manuscript in rough form—his personal journal. His pages told the awe-inspiring story of a modern-day gold mining family and their adventures staying together and being apart as their remarkable life unfolded.

It was a wonderful experience to work with him, in part because Brian and his wife, Linda, are such truly good people but also because the story itself was so fascinating. Gold mining is hard work. You toil in remote areas in primitive settings and battle the elements of weather and wildlife to stay safe and productive. When you add in the drama of working through family conflict, economic ups and downs, and the peculiarities of the gold mining community, you create one incredible tale! Netflix, I hope you’re listening out there!

The goal was writing a memoir from a journal, and Brian already had much of the story written. I remember the first time I beheld the pages, glimpsing into his life chronologically.  I quickly understood who Brian was and what was important to him—family, faith, and a passion for living off the Earth. It’s true that journals bring out who we are and give us a chance to write what might be difficult to say. They also give us an opportunity to vent our feelings and recall our funniest stories. (All included in the book, I must add!) Overall, the journal served as an excellent jumping-off point to shape raw notes into a cohesive and engaging narrative.

Although I have helped more than 200 authors write biographical chapters about their lives for various anthologies, this book was a longer form of that process and an exciting new challenge. The differences between the raw journal and the final product were quite obvious (beginning with word count and organization). However, many principles of writing apply to all forms, even writing a memoir from a journal. If you are considering turning your diary into something more, here are some important things to consider as you plan your book and prepare your manuscript.

Determine the central message.

What is your “why” for writing the book?  One of Brian’s main reasons was to indelibly record his family’s gold mining experience, as he was the sole survivor of the original mining operation. The author dedicated the book to the family members that made his gold mining years possible. However, through the story’s narrative, he imparted a message about the wisdom and riches to be found on the road less traveled, and how family is the greatest treasure of all, which were important messages he wanted to share. Anyone who shares a story must have a central message embedded in the DNA of the narrative. So, before you start writing your memoir, think about what you want your main message to be.

Set the Tone.

Would your memoir be funny? Serious? Moody? Whichever you choose, the tone must resonate with you and enhance the language you use in the book. Let your writing reflect your personality. A fellow writer I know once worked with an author who liked using “colorful” language. When she suggested some PG-13 edits, he replied, “If I don’t use those words, nobody will believe I wrote the book!” Point taken! As you write your memoir from a journal, establish a consistent tone and voice. Consider whether you want it to be reflective, humorous, poignant, or a combination.

Set the stage.

Bring in details to describe the places in your book. What did they look, feel, smell, and sound like? Remember that you may have been to the place you mention in your book a million times, but the reader has not. It is all new to them. What are the striking things they need to know about the places you describe? I ask the authors I’m working with to “take me there” with their memories and words. It helps them remember and describe locations more vividly.

Establish characters.

Even when you write about real people in your memoir, to your readers, they are characters in your book. Think about what you yearn to know about characters in a fictional novel. What do they look like or sound like? What physical characteristics or habits they have that made them stand out? These little details will help your readers picture the people you describe in their minds and give them a richer, more engaging experience as they read your book.

Determine the timeline of events.

Writing a memoir from a journal makes this part relatively easy. Very often, but not always, memoirs are written chronologically, which helps readers effortlessly follow along. Flesh out the main scenes that illustrate the life story and then connect them. Remember that not all details need to be presented chronologically. You can refer to minor events later in the book in a referential way or in an author “flashback.”

Create the character arc for the hero–YOU.

Even though your memoir is technically nonfiction, follow the classic narrative story arc to make it engaging and relatable to your reader.

There are many story arcs where a character learns a lesson or transforms into something different. You, too, have a story arc within your life story. If you don’t see it, look for it. What were some of the pivotal moments of your life that landed you where you are now? You are the hero of your story, and the readers will follow, relate to, and root for you. Take the reader on the journey through your life. Determine where you want to start and end your story and the pivotal moments that help you along the way.

All the classic stories you love follow a narrative arc. Even though those classic stories may be fiction and your life is not, you should follow the narrative arc, too. You might not be taking a journey to grandma’s house or on your way to becoming a Jedi master with a wizened mentor, but through your experiences, you experience an “arc” that leads you someplace else. When you write your memoir, the reader follows alongside the arc with you. Make sure your story has a beginning, a middle, and an end with all the hallmarks of the classic narrative story arc. They include:

• The stasis. The is status quo, where the story starts. It is called the “set-up” or the “exposition” to orient the reader to where they are and what the hero’s life is like. Often, a memoir will start in childhood, but it doesn’t have to. Childhood can be revealed referentially or in a flashback.
• The inciting incident. What happens to send the hero on his journey? It may be an opportunity arising, a crisis, meeting someone special, or many other things. In Brian Johnson’s case, it was deciding to begin gold mining after a family opportunity came his way. What challenge does the hero decide to take on?  Once they make their crucial decision, they are off on their quest!
• The rising action.  In this part of the story arc, the hero’s journey progresses. It’s the meat of your story, where many things happen that work towards the hero’s goal. The action draws in the reader, who becomes increasingly invested in the plot and where it is headed. As you tell your story, try to build tension through narrated thoughts and feelings.
• The climax. Something pivotal happens that affects the hero in some way. It’s like the last showdown or a significant loss. It’s the point where they must make a critical decision that affects the rest of their story.  What will he/she do?
• The falling action. The tension building up to the climax is released as we learn the fallout from after the climax. Usually, the hero is better off…but the journey may not be over. There may be much more of the story to tell.
• Resolution. In this part of the story arc, we tie up the loose ends and see what the hero has learned. This part of the story is usually the shortest, portrayed in the last chapter, but it is essential to give the reader closure. The resolution may be happy, sad, definitive, or vague. However, as we’ve learned from the movie industry, audiences love happy endings!

While you should write your memoir from your journal by following a story arc, remember to follow this arc as you write your chapters. The formula will keep the reader engaged, cover to cover if you stay true to it.

Interject dialogue.

I’m a movie lover, scriptwriter and past playwright, and radio commercial copywriter. Dialogue is one of my favorite things to write. It’s also one of a reader’s favorite things to read. Few people write dialogue in their journals unless they want to capture a direct, memorable quote. Those are the places where you can write a scene between the characters and insert some dialogue to let the readers know what happened between you. It will involve remembering the encounter in as much detail as possible and carefully crafting the dialogue to seem realistic coming from the mouths of the “characters” you’ve established. Dialogue can establish drama, tension, and release. You’ll be glad you used it.

Include your reflections.

Your journal is filled with events that took place. Now ask yourself, how did this event shape me? How did I feel at the time? Readers don’t only want to know about what happened; they want to know how you felt about it. Be sure to tell them, either explicitly or implicitly through your reaction, how you felt about events.

For any aspiring authors out there, know that you can do it, too. Something amazing can spring from your humble entries. Gold is Where it Finds You went on to become an Amazon bestseller in each of his categories and launched an international book tour with dates in Puerto Vallarta, MX, Arizona, Alaska, and Wisconsin—all locations relevant to the story.

As handy as I hope you will find these tips, I do not recommend writing a memoir from a journal alone. You will need support personally from those around you. Professionally, engage a collaborator, professional editor, writing coach, or ghostwriter to help you enhance your story by asking the right questions and giving the proper guidance. They will hear your thoughts and draw details from your memories to help produce your full-length book. If you have a journal that would make a remarkable memoir, I’d be happy to discuss the potential. Give Karen from Big Ideas Writing a call at 630-778-6182.