We're sunsetting PodQuest on 2025-07-28. Thank you for your support!
Export Podcast Subscriptions
cover of episode The secret to writing a good memoir, with Wendy Dale

The secret to writing a good memoir, with Wendy Dale

2025/1/23
logo of podcast Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
W
Wendy Dale
Topics
Wendy Dale: 我认为回忆录和自传之间存在差异。自传通常由名人撰写,记录他们生活中的所有重大事件;而回忆录则由普通人撰写,专注于他们生命中某个特定时期或主题,更注重情节的构建。回忆录的关键在于情节,而不是简单地罗列事件。最终呈现的效果应该像小说一样,但写作过程却大相径庭。 我曾经讨厌大纲,但后来发现通过仔细的概要写作可以节省大量时间,避免反复修改。 情节的构建关键在于将生活中的事件进行连接,而不是简单的流水账记录。通过添加过渡和主题,将零散的事件串联成完整的故事。场景和过渡是两种不同的写作元素,需要分别对待,场景发生在特定的时间点,而过渡则不然。 Memoir写作不应按照时间顺序线性进行,而应先构建整体框架,再填充细节。场景是情节构建的基础,而过渡性写作无法让读者产生身临其境的感觉。Memoir可以没有过渡,但必须有场景;如果事件之间存在因果关系,则不需要过渡。 处理Memoir中可能涉及的敏感话题和人物关系,最好的方法是提前与相关人员沟通,征求他们的意见。 Mignon Fogarty: 作为访谈者,我主要对Wendy Dale分享的回忆录写作技巧进行提问和引导,并表达了自己的观点和感受,例如对大纲写作和非线性写作方法的认同。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter explores the key differences between memoirs and autobiographies, emphasizing the importance of plot in memoir writing. It compares the writing process of fiction and memoir, highlighting the use of outlining to create structure and save time.
  • Memoirs are written by normal people recounting an interesting period, unlike autobiographies typically written by famous people.
  • Memoir writing is like sculpting, refining a large amount of material, whereas fiction writing is like oil painting, creating from scratch.
  • Outlining is crucial for memoir writing to avoid wasted time and unnecessary revisions.

Shownotes Transcript

  1.  This week, I talk with Wendy Dale, author of "The Memoir Engineering System," about how to write a compelling memoir. We look at the differences between memoir and autobiography, the importance of plot, and why outlining can save writers years of work. Wendy shares practical tips on crafting scenes, connecting events, and handling sensitive topics while maintaining relationships with the people in your story. It's not just for memoir writing either — I found the tips inspiring and helpful for crafting fiction too.

🔗 **Share your familect recording in a **WhatsApp chat.)

🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses).

🔗 Subscribe to the newsletter).

🔗 **Take our advertising survey). **

🔗** Get the edited transcript).**

🔗 **Get Grammar Girl books). **

🔗 Join Grammarpalooza)**. **Get ad-free and bonus episodes at Apple Podcasts) or Subtext). Learn more about the difference). 

| HOST: Mignon Fogarty

| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475).

| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network).

  • Audio Engineer: Dan Feierabend
  • Director of Podcast: Brannan Goetschius
  • Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
  • Marketing and Publicity Assistant: Davina Tomlin
  • Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings
  • Marketing and Video: Nat Hoopes

| Theme music by Catherine Rannus).

| Grammar Girl Social Media 

| Links: YouTube). TikTok). Facebook).Threads). Instagram). LinkedIn). Mastodon). Bluesky).