Diving into the corners of one’s mind to explore both memories and experiences, memoirs are the literary chronicles of one’s own life.
Yet, the best memoirs are more than mere recollections; they resonate with the vividness and emotional depth found in fiction. Incorporating techniques traditionally associated with fiction writing into the creation of a memoir can elevate the narrative, adding layers of meaning and engaging readers on a much deeper level.
Whether it is employing vivid sensory descriptions reminiscent of a novel, shaping a compelling narrative arc or creating well defined characters, these fiction techniques are indispensable tools for memoirists.
In this article we will be taking a close look at 9 literary techniques which are transferable to the writing of a memoir, helping readers recognise these techniques in use and writers put them into practice.
This guide on how to use fiction techniques for memoir writing includes:
- Dialogue
- Character Development
- Imagery and Descriptive Language
- Narrative Arc
- Flashbacks and Foreshadowing
- Metaphor and Symbolism
- Point of View
- Theme Exploration
- Symbolism
Dialogue
What is it?
Dialogue is the written conversation between characters, conveying their spoken interactions. It is a fundamental literary tool that captures voices, emotions and exchanges within a narrative. Well crafted dialogue enriches the story, revealing personalities, advancing the plot and making the reading experience authentic and engaging.
Why is it a good fit for writing a memoir?
Dialogue is a key tool in memoir writing as it mirrors real life conversations, making the narrative feel authentic and immediate. It brings characters to life, recreates significant moments and allows the memoirist to express emotions and experiences in a relatable manner. Well crafted dialogue in memoirs invites readers into the author’s world, creating both empathy and a deeper connection with the recounted events and people.
Example
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls : “Mom always said people worried too much about their children. Suffering when you’re young is good for you, she said. It immunized your body and your soul, and that was why she ignored us kids when we cried. Fussing over children who cry only encouraged them, she told us.”
Character Development
What is it?
Character development involves the evolution and growth of a character throughout a narrative. It encompasses the changes in personality, beliefs and actions that occur as the character responds to experiences and conflicts. Well crafted character development adds depth and relatability to the story, making characters feel authentic and engaging to readers.
Why is it a good fit for writing a memoir?
Character development is vital in memoirs as it allows readers to witness the author’s transformative journey. Capturing the author’s growth, vulnerabilities and changing beliefs creates a compelling narrative arc, making the memoir more than a recollection; it is a personal evolution. Readers connect deeply when they can empathize and relate to a fully realized, complex individual, enriching the memoir’s impact.
Example
Educated by Tara Westover : In “Educated,” Tara Westover undergoes a profound transformation from a sheltered, uneducated girl to a woman empowered by knowledge and self discovery. Through her journey, she challenges her upbringing and beliefs, showcasing a remarkable evolution in her character, a testament to the power of resilience, education and personal growth.
Imagery and Descriptive Language
What is it?
Imagery and descriptive language are tools that vividly paint pictures in readers’ minds. Imagery appeals to the senses, creating sensory rich experiences, while descriptive language employs detail and adjectives to enhance the narrative, evoking emotions and bringing depth to characters, scenes and settings within the story.
Why is it a good fit for writing a memoir?
Imagery and descriptive language excel in memoir writing by transporting readers into the author’s memories with clarity and emotion. Vivid descriptions of people, places and events recreate the past, evoking the sensations and sentiments experienced. It allows memoirists to create a sensory, tangible world, heightening readers’ connection to the personal narrative, making the memoir more intimate and immersive. The power of memory lies in its details, beautifully articulated through imagery.
Example
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt : “Limerick was most beautiful on a summer’s evening when the rain cleared and the sun came out. The golden sun on the gray slates of the lanes, the sun on the pewter river, the sun on the rain-soaked red bricks of the abandoned cottages.” Frank McCourt employs rich imagery to depict the beauty of Limerick, setting a vivid scene in his memoir.
Narrative Arc
What is it?
A narrative arc is the overarching structure of a story, encompassing its beginning, middle and end. It maps the trajectory of the plot, character development and conflicts, guiding the reader through a cohesive journey with an introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution, ensuring a satisfying and meaningful narrative experience.
Why is it a good fit for memoir writing?
A well written narrative arc is essential in memoir writing as it shapes personal experiences into a compelling, coherent story. Beginning with an introduction, it captivates readers, then steadily builds through the author’s life events, leading to a climactic moment. The falling action offers reflection and growth, while the resolution provides a sense of closure. This structure turns raw memories into a narrative that engages readers, making the memoir both relatable and impactful.
Example
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Introduction: The author sets the stage, introducing her life’s challenges and the decision to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and healing.
Rising Action: Gilbert takes readers on a global adventure, narrating her experiences in Italy, India, and Indonesia—each phase contributing to her growth and understanding of life.
Climax: The turning point where she finds inner peace and balance, culminating in a deeper connection with herself.
Falling Action: Reflection on the journey, its impact, and the lessons learned, setting the stage for the resolution.
Resolution: Gilbert achieves a sense of contentment, self-acceptance, and a newfound purpose, concluding her memoir with hope and growth.
Flashbacks and Foreshadowing
What is it?
Flashbacks revisit past events within a narrative, offering context or backstory. Foreshadowing hints at future developments, building suspense. Both techniques enrich storytelling, providing layers of understanding, anticipation and complexity to the plot, characters and themes, enhancing the reader’s engagement and connection to the story.
Why is it a good fit for memoir writing?
Flashbacks and foreshadowing are powerful tools in memoirs, adding depth and complexity to personal narratives. Flashbacks enable the exploration of pivotal past experiences, illuminating the memoirist’s journey. Foreshadowing, on the other hand, primes readers for upcoming revelations or challenges, heightening intrigue. When used thoughtfully, these techniques enrich the memoir, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the author’s past and the anticipation of what’s to come.
Example
The Colour of Water by James McBride
Flashback: As McBride recounts his mother’s story and her struggles, he often takes readers back to significant moments in her past, providing insight into her life and choices.
Foreshadowing: Early on, hints are dropped about the challenges and resilience of both the author and his mother, generating curiosity about how their stories will unfold, setting the tone for the memoir.
Metaphor and Symbolism
What is it?
Metaphor is a literary device using comparison to suggest resemblance between two different things, evoking imagery and deeper meaning. Symbolism ensures that objects, actions or concepts contain meaning beyond their literal sense, conveying abstract ideas, themes or emotions, enriching the narrative and engaging the reader at a symbolic level.
Why is it a good fit for memoir writing?
Metaphor and symbolism are potent tools in memoirs, allowing authors to transcend the literal and convey profound emotions, experiences and transformation. Metaphors provide vivid imagery, helping readers visualize the author’s journey and introspection. Symbolism adds layers of meaning, turning personal anecdotes into universal tales. Together, they amplify the memoir’s impact, by tapping into shared human experiences and emotions.
Example
Night by Elie Wiesel : “The night was gone. The morning star was shining in the sky. I too had become a completely different person. The student of Talmud, the child I was, had been consumed in the flames.”
Point of View
What is it?
Point of view in literature refers to the vantage point or lens through which a story is narrated. It defines who is telling the story and their position relative to the events, characters, and settings. Different perspectives like first person, second person, and third person offer distinct narrative styles and insights.
Why is it a good fit for memoir writing?
Point of view is vital in memoir writing, as it defines the author’s lens through which the personal story unfolds. First person point of view, common in memoirs, immerses readers in the author’s experiences, emotions and thoughts. This creates an intimate connection, allowing readers to journey alongside the memoirist, feeling the authenticity and immediacy of the narrative.
Example
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank : “I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.” Anne Frank writes her diary entries in the first person point of view, offering readers a direct insight into her thoughts, emotions and experiences during the Holocaust.
Theme Exploration
What is it?
Theme exploration in literature involves the deliberate examination and interpretation of recurring or central ideas, concepts or subjects within a story. It dives into the deeper meaning and messages conveyed by the narrative, enhancing understanding and providing insight into the human experience, society or life’s fundamental aspects.
Why is it a good fit for memoir writing?
Theme exploration is fundamental in memoir writing as it allows authors to uncover and articulate the overarching messages and insights derived from their life experiences. It helps memoirists reflect on the events and emotions they have lived through, identifying recurring patterns or profound truths. By exploring these themes, memoirs become more than personal narratives; they become relatable and meaningful to a broader audience.
Example
Hunger by Roxane Gay
Theme – Identity and Body Image
In “Hunger,” Roxane Gay deeply explores the theme of identity and body image. She dives into the complex relationship she has with her body, grappling with societal expectations, trauma and her journey towards self acceptance and redefining her identity beyond physical appearance.
Symbolism
What is it?
Symbolism employs symbols or symbolic language to represent abstract ideas, emotions or themes. These symbols, whether objects, actions or concepts, carry deeper meanings that contribute to the overall message and depth of a narrative, engaging readers on a symbolic level beyond the literal interpretation.
Why is it a good fit for memoir writing?
Symbolism enriches memoir writing by allowing authors to encapsulate complex emotions, experiences and themes in tangible symbols. It provides a universal language, aiding readers in connecting emotionally and intellectually with the memoirist’s journey. These symbols act as signposts, guiding readers through the memoir’s deeper layers, making the story more profound and enabling a nuanced exploration of the author’s personal journey.
Example
Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Symbol – The Monster
In “Wild,” Cheryl Strayed often refers to a symbolic “monster” representing her fears, guilt and emotional baggage. This symbolizes her inner struggles, allowing readers to visualize the weight she carries and the transformation she undergoes as she confronts and ultimately conquers this monster on her journey.