Making Memoir Magic

If you’ve been thinking about writing your memoir—but haven’t started (or can’t seem to keep going)—this episode is for you.

Your story isn’t stuck because you lack talent, time, or discipline. More often, it’s a handful of subtle but powerful habits that quietly keep you circling instead of creating.

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the three most common mistakes that keep aspiring memoirists stuck—and how to move past them so you can finally begin.

Because your story doesn’t need to be perfect.

It just needs to be written.

🔑 What You’ll Learn

* Why waiting for clarity is keeping you from starting

* How overthinking sabotages your writing momentum

* The role structure plays in bringing your story to life

* A simple mindset shift to help you move from stuck to started

* How to begin writing—even if you don’t feel ready

🖊️ Key Takeaway

You don’t find your story by thinking about it.

You find it by writing it.

🎯 Ready to Take the Next Step?

📚 Free Workshop

The Memoir Blueprint: How to Stop Overthinking and Start Writing🗓 May 7

If you’re ready to move from idea to action, this free workshop will give you a simple, powerful framework to finally start your memoir—with clarity and confidence.

👉 Save your seat here.

💬 Join the Community

Come join us inside my free Facebook group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors — a supportive space for writers and aspiring authors who are ready to turn their life experiences into meaningful stories.

👉 Join here.

💭 Loved This Episode?

If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who has a story to tell.

And remember—

Your story isn’t too small.It’s not too late.And it’s not too much.

It’s waiting for you.

If you’re standing in front of a blank page feeling both excited and completely overwhelmed, this episode is for you.

Most aspiring memoir writers don’t struggle because they have nothing to say—they struggle because they have too much. A lifetime of memories, emotions, turning points, and questions can feel like a storm with no clear way in.

In this episode, we explore how to move from overwhelm to clarity by finding the true beginning of your memoir—not the start of your life story, but the moment everything changed.

You’ll learn:

* Why most writers get stuck before they even begin

* The emotional trap of trying to include “everything”

* How to find the defining moment that anchors your memoir

* A simple 3-step method to uncover your story’s starting point

* Why your memoir begins with a scene, not a summary

* How to write forward even when you don’t have it all figured out

This is your reminder that clarity doesn’t come before writing. It comes through writing.

And your story doesn’t need perfection to begin—it just needs permission.

If this episode spoke to you, stay connected

💬 Join the my free Facebook group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, which offers support, encouragement, and ongoing inspiration as you begin or continue your memoir journey. JOIN HERE

✍️ Take the Next Step: The Memoir Blueprint Workshop

If you’re ready to go deeper and finally get unstuck, I invite you to join my workshop:

The Memoir Blueprint: How to Stop Overthinking and Start Writing

This workshop will help you:

* Identify the core story beneath your life experiences

* Stop overthinking and start writing with direction

* Find your natural entry point into your memoir

* Turn overwhelm into a clear, simple writing path

Because your memoir doesn’t begin when you feel ready.

It begins when you decide to begin.

Your story is not too much. It’s waiting for shape.

And shape begins with a single brave page. Register to attend the May 7. workshop.

I’ll see you inside.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.

Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

Writers often think their memoir feels flat because the story itself isn’t strong enough.

But that’s rarely the problem.

In this episode, I’m sharing a powerful lesson pulled straight from what I’m teaching live right now inside my Zoom workshop for memoir writers—and it was simply too good not to bring to the podcast.

You’ll learn why memoir scenes are the key to transforming meaningful memories into immersive experiences readers can feel.

We’ll talk about the difference between summary and scene, how to use sensory detail, dialogue, action, and interiority, and the most common mistakes writers make when they rush through the very moments that matter most.

If you’ve ever written a deeply important life moment only to think, why does this feel flat?—this episode will show you exactly how to fix it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* Why memoir scenes matter more than chronology

* The difference between telling emotion and creating experience

* How to use show-don’t-tell in memoir

* The anatomy of a powerful memoir scene

* Common scene-writing mistakes memoirists make

* A simple revision exercise to strengthen flat pages

Want support bringing your memories to life on the page?

Join my free Facebook community, Make Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we gather every Wednesday for Memoir Magic Write-Ins, plus writing tips, live Q&A, opportunities to share your work, and the encouragement every memoirist needs.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.

Can you get sued for writing your memoir?

It’s one of the most common fears aspiring memoir writers face. In this episode, we’re breaking it down in a clear, thoughtful way.

While this isn’t legal advice, you’ll learn how to approach writing about real people with greater awareness and confidence. Drawing from real conversations with other writers, we explore the difference between perceived risk and reality—and how to tell the truth without creating unnecessary exposure.

If fear has been holding you back from writing your story, this episode will help you move forward with intention.

In this episode I’ll cover:

* Can you be sued for writing a memoir?

* Common legal fears writers have

* Writing about real people safely

* Why truth alone isn’t the full picture

* The power of perspective in memoir writing

* How to tell your story with confidence

Key Takeaway:

You can tell the truth, and still be thoughtful about how you tell it.

Next Steps:

Learn how to write, publish, and promote a memoir that inspires, educates, and entertains. Learn all about my course, Make Memoir Magic

Connect in the my free Facebook group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors

Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.

Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

Querying your memoir can feel intimidating. Not writing it. Not revising it. But sending that query letter to an agent and hoping they say yes? That’s the real challenge.

In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, I walk memoir writers through the querying process, sharing practical tips and strategies that make it easier to navigate. We cover:

* How to find comparative titles (comp titles) for your memoir—even recent ones published in the last five years

* Where to research agents who actually represent memoir

* Tools and resources to streamline your querying process

* A gentle reality check on patience, rejection, and the memoir publishing journey

Plus, I give a peek inside Module 3 of my course, Make Memoir Magic, where I teach memoir writers how to position their stories in the marketplace and understand publishing paths.

Whether you’re just finishing your manuscript or ready to send your first query, this episode is packed with insights to help you move from “I have a story” to “I have a story—and I know how to bring it into the world.”

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

* Make Memoir Magic course – Learn more here: https://kerrykriseman.myflodesk.com/mmm3

* QueryTracker – https://querytracker.net/

* Manuscript Wish List – https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/

* Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/

* Bookshop.org – https://bookshop.org/

Listener Takeaways:

* Comparative titles don’t have to match your memoir exactly—they just need to share a lane.

* Agents actively share what they’re looking for on websites, wishlists, and social platforms.

* Querying requires patience, research, and strategy—but it’s a skill you can learn.

* Every memoir has a reader, and your story deserves to reach them.

Share the Episode:Know a writer in the querying trenches? Share this episode and help make the publishing journey a little easier for them.

Follow & Subscribe:Don’t miss future episodes full of writing tips, publishing advice, and inspiration to help you write, publish, and promote your memoir.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.

Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

If your memoir feels flat, the problem may not be your story — it may be how you’re telling it.

In this mini-lesson, Kerry breaks down one of the most important craft distinctions in memoir writing: scene vs. summary. You’ll learn why summary explains but scene immerses, and how slowing down your turning points can dramatically increase the emotional impact of your writing.

Through concrete examples and a practical exercise, Kerry shows you how to transform flat narration into vivid, cinematic storytelling.

Your story deserves to be experienced — not just reported.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

* The difference between scene and summary

* Why summary often makes writing feel distant or flat

* How scene invites readers to live the moment with you

* Concrete examples of summary rewritten as scene

* A simple 4-question exercise to immediately strengthen your writing

Ready to Go Deeper? Join Kerry for her live three-week workshop with the Happy Women Dinners group:

Stop Telling. Start Showing.

Week 1 – April 2What Makes a Scene? Moving from summary to story.

Week 2 – April 9Building Emotional Depth — sensory detail, dialogue, and interior life.

Week 3 – April 16Shaping and Polishing — structure, tension, and revision strategies.

We’ll practice writing scenes in real time and build practical skills you can apply immediately.

Early Bird Registration: $250 through March 5thAfter March 5th: $350

Register here: Stop Telling. Start Showing

Join the Community

Become part of Kerry’s free Facebook group: Join here: Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors

Members are invited to weekly Memoir Magic Write-Ins every Wednesday from 10:30–11:00 a.m. (via Zoom):

* Brief greetings

* A quick craft lesson and writing prompt

* 20 minutes of focused writing together

* Optional sharing and encouragement

It’s a powerful way to build momentum and stay committed to your writing practice.

Connect with Kerry

Author of Accidental First Lady: On the Front Lines (and Behind the Scenes) of Local PoliticsFollow on Instagram

Keep writing. Your story is valuable. It deserves to be told — and you are the best person to tell it.

Do you hesitate to write your memoir because of fear—of judgment, criticism, or misunderstanding? In this episode, Kerry explores why fear of judgment is natural, how it shows up in your writing, and practical strategies to write authentically anyway. Learn how to reclaim your voice, embrace courage, and share your story honestly without overthinking.

What You’ll Learn:

* Why fear of judgment stops so many writers

* How to identify when fear is controlling your story

* Techniques to write honestly and courageously

* How to start small, build trust in your voice, and grow confidence

CTAs:

* Join the Make Memoir Magic Facebook Group for community, feedback, and inspiration

* Attend a Memoir Magic Write-In to get live support while writing

* Explore free resources including writing prompts, exercises, and guides

“Fear of judgment is normal. But it doesn’t own your story. You do.”

Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.

Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

Do you overexplain your life in your memoir? Stop! In this episode, Kerry teaches aspiring writers how to trust their story and their voice, strip away unnecessary justification, and connect with readers emotionally. With practical exercises and mindset shifts, this episode will help you show up boldly and write honestly—without overexplaining.

What You’ll Learn:

* Why overexplaining hurts your memoir

* How to write scenes that speak without footnotes

* Exercises to trust your story and your voice

* How to use specificity instead of explanation

* How to build confidence as a writer

Join My Community

* Join the Make Memoir Magic Facebook Group for community, feedback, and inspiration

* Attend a Memoir Magic Write-In to get live support while writing

* Access free resources including prompts, exercises, and guides to keep your story moving

Key Takeaway:“You don’t need to explain your story. You need to trust your voice.”

What if the reason you haven’t started your book isn’t lack of talent—but waiting for perfect conditions?

In this episode, Kerry busts the myth of the big writing retreat and reveals what actually gets books written: twenty minutes a day, a chair, and a decision. You’ll learn how to create a writing retreat at home, DIY a retreat in one weekend, and build a consistent writing habit—without waiting for more time, money, or inspiration.

Kerry also announces her new weekly Memoir Magic Write-Ins, starting February 11 at 10:30 a.m. live on Zoom—a supportive, low-pressure space to write alongside others.

👉 Want to join? These are free for members of her Facebook group.Not a member yet? Click here to join the Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors FB Group.

Your story doesn’t need a mountain view. It needs you.

Episode Summary:In this episode, Kerry dismantles the fantasy that you need a big, expensive writing retreat to begin—or finish—your book. Instead, she shares how real momentum comes from small, consistent actions: twenty minutes a day, a dedicated writing space, and a decision to begin. You’ll learn how to create a writing retreat at home, DIY a retreat in one weekend, and finally build a sustainable writing habit—without waiting for perfect conditions.

Kerry also introduces her new weekly Memoir Magic Write-Ins, starting February 11 at 10:30 a.m. live via Zoom—a supportive, pressure-free space to write alongside others.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

* Why the “big writing retreat” myth keeps writers stuck

* How to create a retreat environment at home

* How to DIY a writing retreat in one weekend

* How to build a consistent writing habit

* How to join the weekly Memoir Magic Write-Ins

Join the free weekly Memoir Magic Write-Ins starting 2/11 at 10:30 a.m. live on Zoom.These are free for members of Kerry’s Facebook group.

👉 Not a member yet? Click here to join the Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors FB Group.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.

Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

In this conversation, Kerry Kriseman emphasizes the significance of storytelling, especially during challenging times. She reassures listeners that their stories are valuable and necessary, serving as acts of resistance and courage. Kriseman discusses her course, Make Memoir Magic, as a pathway for aspiring authors to reclaim their voices and share their narratives. She encourages individuals to embrace their experiences and recognize the power of their stories, regardless of external circumstances.

Takeaways

* If your mind feels cluttered, you’re not broken. You’re human.

* Telling your story is not a luxury; it’s a form of resistance.

* Silence benefits systems that thrive on it.

* Your stories disrupt and humanize.

* Your story matters if it changed you.

* Writing your story is not indulgent; it’s insurgent.

* You just need one brave decision to start.

* Your voice and story matter in this world.

* You don’t have to write alone; seek community.

* Your reasons for writing don’t need justification.

Chapters

00:00The Importance of Storytelling in Troubling Times

09:41Embracing Your Narrative: Courage in Memoir Writing

10:23Introduction to Memoir Writing

10:47Connecting with Your Audience

Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.

Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!