EVERY SINGLE DAY SOMEONE tells a writer to “show, don’t tell,” and every single day that writer wonders what that means. Many writers go through their entire lives not knowing how to follow this directive. I know, because so many of them come to The Memoir Project and ask me to explain it. So, here […] The post Have I got a Definition of Show, Don’t Tell? You Bet I Do appeared first on Memoir coach and author Marion Roach.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
A RECENT STUDY OF Baby Boomers revealed that the single thing they most want to do in retirement is write a book. The single biggest topic? Themselves. Hmmmmm. Does that raise any issues? It does. Specifically, that of how to differentiate your version on a common theme. In writing what we know, are all of […] The post How to Differentiate Your Version on a Common Theme appeared first on Memoir coach and author Marion Roach.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Writers must know how to write into what’s coming next. Editors first ask, "Why this writer. Why now?" You must address those. Here's how.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Knowing how to write about marriage requires knowing what to leave in and out. Learn how to write the personal essay and you'll have the perfect medium.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
How to write a personale ssay? Start with a small aspect of your life, or an object you adore, and explore it to reveal life's largest themes.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
How to get a personal essay published? My students and clients get published widely and often. Here is just one example of a fine placement of a good piece.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Archives for August 2025| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Are you ever too old to write memoir? Author Joanna Choi Kalbus answers the question: Can you write memoir at any age?| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
When one of my students ask me where to find memoir ideas, among other places, I always suggest family recipe files.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Archives for July 2025| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Knowing when is the right time to write your truth is essential to the personal and professional success of every memoir writer.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
As a memoir coach and teacher, one of the most common requests I get is for instruction in how to write the personal essay. Here's how.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
How to get over your summer writing slump? When writing memoir, follow these simple rules and you simply cannot go wrong or not write.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
How and why to apply for a writing residency? Listen in as Calliope Nicholas, from Millay Arts, explains the process and benefits.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Of all the issues I confront as a memoir coach and memoir teacher, the most frequent is what to do when a memoir story line is too big.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Are you writing essays to push through uncertainty about something? You are not alone. The form is perfect for inquiry.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Listen in to this episode of The Qwerty Podcast, as author Bridgett M Davis talks about the role of advocacy in memoir| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
What is the role of art in troubling times? Activist and craftivist Shannon Downey talks about that on this episode of The Qwerty Podcast.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Knowing how to write your truth is best learned while picturing the influential scenes from your life as beads on an abacus. Try it.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Here is that online Master Class in memoir writing you've always wanted. Limited to six students and taught by author Marion Roach Smith.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
The Memoir Project, home of author Marion Roach Smith, provides a full range of live and recorded online memoir courses. Come learn with us.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
The best writing advice I know is to write with intent. Margaret Atwood seems to agree. If you don't know what that means, please let me explain.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach
Writer Alicia D. Williams is on The Qwerty Podcast talking about the importance of writing about change. Listen in and read along.| Memoir coach and author Marion Roach