How to Write a Memoir
You’ve lived through decades of drama, growth, and grit — but turning that into a memoir? That’s a whole new plot twist.
Writing a memoir isn’t just a personal data dump — it’s storytelling with a spine. The goal isn’t to list everything you’ve lived through, but to shape your memories into something resonant, readable, and real. In this guide, I’ll show you how to write a memoir that keeps readers turning pages — and when to call in a memoir writer or memoir writing service to help you cross the finish line.
Whether you’re documenting a remarkable life or simply searching for the right shape for your story — let’s get into it.
How to Write a Memoir That Readers Actually Want to Read
Before you start writing, you need to investigate. Not in the “dig through your old journals” kind of way — though that can help — but in the “become a detective in your own life” kind of way.
Here’s where to start:
Gather the Evidence
Create a timeline of major events, turning points, and transformational experiences. Think: where was the tension? When did things shift? What moments define your life — even if no one else knows about them yet?
Talk to Your Supporting Cast
Ask friends, partners, and family members:
What’s the most dramatic chapter of my life?
What do you think changed me?
What stories do you love to hear me tell?
Their answers might surprise you — or hand you your opening scene on a silver platter.
Build a Big-Picture Structure
Lay it all out — vignettes, turning points, chaos and calm. Don’t stress about order yet. Just figure out what belongs.
Ask yourself: Is this a linear story? A reflective journey? A memoir-in-scenes? Are you writing a wilderness epic like Wild by Cheryl Strayed? Or a travel memoir like Eat, Pray, Love? Or are you recounting a lifetime of professional and personal memories like Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential?
If you’re unsure, it might be time to pick up some memoirs and see what other writers have done. This is where you’ll start to find your narrative style.
Shape Your Story with a Chapter Outline
Once you’ve mapped out the big-picture structure of your memoir, it’s time to zoom in.
A chapter outline helps you organize your material into a logical, emotional, and readable flow. Each chapter should serve a purpose — revealing something about your transformation, deepening the reader’s connection to your voice, or moving the narrative forward.
Think of each chapter as a self-contained arc:
What change or insight happens here?
What scene or memory anchors it?
How does it connect to what comes before — and what comes after?
It’s okay if your outline evolves as you write. In fact, it should. But starting with a detailed chapter-by-chapter plan will save you from wandering into memoir quicksand halfway through your draft.
Draft Your Memoir, One Chapter at a Time
Now comes the heart of the work — writing your manuscript.
Some writers move chronologically, others bounce between chapters depending on inspiration. Either way, your job is to translate lived experience into vivid, narrative scenes that speak to your reader.
As you draft, keep these principles in mind:
Show, don’t summarize. Ground your story in the five senses. Let us hear the crack in your voice, feel the weight of the decision, taste the orange juice (with pulp!) at that pivotal breakfast.
Balance narrative with reflection. Memoir isn’t just what happened — it’s what it meant. Weave in insight without overexplaining.
Watch your pacing. Not every moment deserves equal airtime. Let the most emotionally resonant moments breathe.
And remember: first drafts are allowed to be messy. The goal is to get the story down. You’ll shape it into something stronger later.
Get Feedback. Revise. Repeat.
Once you’ve written your full draft, take a breath — and then get ready to make it better.
Share your manuscript with early readers who can offer thoughtful, honest feedback. These might be writing group peers, trusted friends, or a professional editor. Ask them:
Where did you lose interest?
What felt emotionally impactful — and what felt confusing?
Did the story feel cohesive and complete?
Then revise. A good revision often requires more than word tweaks — it may mean cutting whole chapters, reshaping your structure, or rewriting scenes to clarify your arc.
Great memoirs are rewritten more than they’re written. This part of the process takes stamina — and heart.
Prepare for Editing, Proofreading, and Publishing
When your manuscript feels as strong as you can make it on your own, it’s time to bring in professional eyes.
You’ll want to go through three layers of polish:
Developmental editing — big-picture notes on structure, content, pacing, and clarity
Line editing and copyediting — sentence-level improvements, grammar, and style consistency
Proofreading — catching typos, formatting glitches, and final cleanup
I describe these steps more in-depth here!
From there, you’ll prepare your manuscript for publication — whether that’s through a traditional publishing route or self-publishing. If you’re unsure which direction to go, I break down the pros and cons of each here.
Thinking About Hiring a Memoir Writer or Memoir Ghostwriter?
Here’s the truth: most memoir writers are ghostwriters — they just wear a few extra hats.
A great memoir ghostwriter isn’t just here to type. They’re your sounding board, your structural editor, your voice double, and your behind-the-scenes partner from start to finish.
You might want to hire a memoir writer if:
You’ve lived a story too big (or too meaningful) to keep to yourself
You don’t have time to draft, revise, and rewrite — again and again
You want your book to sound like you, only sharper, clearer, and unskimmable
In my work as a memoir ghostwriter, I’ve collaborated with Olympians, entrepreneurs, and other remarkable people around the world. Some clients work with me entirely remotely — others fly me out for in-person sessions in places like Austria and Canada. The process can be dynamic, personal, and honestly? A lot more fun than trying to write your life story alone.
Not to mention my clients tell me that I’m the best ghostwriter they’ve worked with — not just because of my bestselling work or my fancy credentials, but because I take pride in doing great work for the most important book of your life.
Hiring a memoir ghostwriter is a bit like bringing on a documentarian with a pen. I help you figure out what your story really is, and then shape it into a book that resonates with your readers — and reveals something meaningful about the life you’ve lived.
And no, this isn’t cheating. It’s collaboration — the kind that saves you time, spares you overwhelm, and results in a book you’ll be proud to share.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Memoir Writer?
Rates vary, but here’s what to expect from the top tier.
The investment for my memoir writing/ghostwriting services begin in the six figures. That’s a flat-rate investment tailored to the scope of your project — and includes everything from research and interviews to the final proofread.
For editing-only support, my developmental editing rates begin in the five figures.
You can read more about my services here.
Still Wondering: Who Should Write My Memoir?
That’s one of the most common — and most personal — questions I hear.
Sometimes it sounds like:
“Can you give me a list of the best memoir ghostwriters?”
“Who are the top memoir writers I can hire?”
“How do I choose the right person to tell my story?”
And the honest answer is: there’s no single best memoir ghostwriter. There’s only the right fit for you.
The best memoir writer for your story is someone you trust — someone who helps you feel seen, understood, and supported throughout a process that can be deeply emotional and, at times, surprisingly vulnerable.
When I reflect on the clients I’ve most enjoyed working with — and who’ve told me they most valued the experience — a few themes come up. They appreciated that I’m an active listener, that I bring a calm and thoughtful energy to our collaboration, and that I have a background in both storytelling and business. They read my work, resonated with my perspective, and felt I could create a safe, structured space for something as personal as a life story.
You might be looking for different qualities. That’s a great place to start.
Ask yourself:
What kind of support do I need?
What kind of person do I want to work closely with on something this personal?
What would make this process feel not just possible — but meaningful?
Whether you’re looking for someone to write your memoir from scratch, help shape what you’ve already written, or serve as an editor and mirror for your words — you deserve a partner who aligns with your voice, your values, and your vision.
This isn’t just a book. It’s your story. And it’s a privilege to be part of that process.
If you have questions or want to talk through next steps, I’d love to hear from you.
What story do you want to tell?
Contact Amy | Work With Me on Your Memoir
As a bestselling author with over ten years of experience in the memoir ghostwriting and book editing space, I’d love to discuss your project and see if you’re the right fit.
As a memoir ghostwriter and an A-List collaborator, I love working with inspiring individuals all over the world with great stories to tell.
Tell me more about your project below:
