Four Simple Basic Factors to Consider When Writing a Memoir or Biography

In this article I would like to share with you four key attributes
to consider when writing a memoir or biography. By the virtue of you
being a human being, you are qualified to write a memoir or biography.
So let us get on with these four attributes:A memoir or biography
should come from the position of truth. It should be absolute truth.
Spinoza's famous words apply in force here. Verum est index sui et
falsi ('truth is the index both of itself and of falsehood'). This
means by telling sticking with the truth you reveal lies.The next two
attributes coming up after being truthful is "sine ira et studio;" do
justice to every person and event; and stand in the centre of human
society, where you may be able to see all points in the circumference
objectively. It is about connections in both ways. In the first
instance memoir and biography writing is about connection with the
person being written about and secondly connection with the reader. As
a memoir writer you should join with the life of the person you are
writing about - even if the person has passed on - become part of his
or her life, the mindset and life's epochs. Okay - sympathy may be too
much to ask, but empathy is essential, not just looking at issues and
events in the person's life but feeling with times, the people around
and the ideas she or he projected - and be careful of taking things
out of contexts and thereby presenting a false projection. People and
events should not be just relayed, in every situation the biographer
must provide the reader with his or her understanding of the
situation.So there you have three key attributes about writing a
memoir or biography; first your memoir or biography should come from
the position of absolute truth, second you should do justice to every
person or event involved, and third you should connect with your
subject and the reader.Further than these three attributes, there is
the fourth one; and that is: the biographer and memoir writer should
like the sun, both reveal and enlighten all that is dark. The memoir
or biography should be enlightening and shed life about person being
written about. You should be able to place events and issues in
perspective and in the context they emerged while presenting them in
the manner that will be lively and helping to the reader - that is
getting the reader involved in the process. It is not that difficult;
just put yourself in the mood where you will be able to hear your
feelings, once you hear them pick up the pen and write. The point is
not to be wholly right, for being wholly your efforts will be lifeless
and un-enjoyable to the reader.