I have to admit, the only memoirs I am interested in reading are ones written by historical figures I have an interest in. I don't think that memoirs should only be written by people who possess a shared public interest, however. It is probably good for everyone to write their memoirs if for no other reason than to clarify their own thoughts, leave something to posterity and family history, and of course, writing practice! I just don't thing everyone should hope their memoir will become the next best- seller; any more than they should hope that their next poem or work of fiction will become the next best-seller.
Tom Bodet wrote some interesting books in the late 1980's based on his experiences in Homer Alaska. In one called "Small Comforts" (my apologies to the MLA police; I don't have the option to underline the book title here), he speaks on his writing experience, and I paraphrase here: I have never written anything that I didn't read and think to myself, who really cares? I am always pleasantly surprised when someone does. Bodet didn't really write this series as memoirs, per se', in fact I think they are classified as fiction, but they are based on real people and real experiences. Told in his warm, off-hand style, they are enjoyable, easy reads.
All art is subjective and what is interesting/boring to one is not to another, so write on. Maybe someone will care; maybe not...
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2 comments:
i like your commnet, but what do you think about if you read someone's lifestory and you believed it, and you found out later that they lied?
Interesting post. I agree with you that memoirs are a worthwhile undertaking for writers.
I also agree that people shouldn't expect to write a "best seller." I can't recall where I heard it, but someone commented that pressure from the business aspect of the publishing world could be why lies are introduced.
Bill
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