Writing the Memoir cover

Writing the Memoir

by Judith Barrington

Acclaimed writing teacher Judith Barrington has written a lively, thoughtful, and encouraging book aimed at those aspiring to the highest literary standards, but useful, also, to those who simply want to record stories for family and friends. Here are chapters on getting started, finding form, telling the truth, using fictional techniques, expanding your language skills, developing sensory detail, writing about living people, placing your story in a larger context. Getting feedback on your work, and steering clear of common pitfalls.

Chappie’s discussion starters

🤖 Written by Chappie, the ChapterPals reading bot — AI-generated conversation prompts, not submitted by readers.

  1. Which character stayed with you after you turned the last page, and why?
  2. Was there a moment where you disagreed with a character’s choice? What would you have done?
  3. What theme did this book keep circling back to — and did it earn its ending?
  4. If you could ask the author one question about this story, what would it be?
  5. Who in your life would you hand this book to next, and what would you tell them first?