So perfectly timed, Brooke! I've been wrestling with balancing the micro/macro in my memoir-in-progress, and didn't have a name for it until now. Your Substack reminded me of the Emerson quote: "the universal does not attract us unless housed in the individual," and I think the reverse is true as well—the individual does not attract us unless it speaks to something in us, or more broadly, to the universal. Thank you, as always, for your sharing your wisdom!
As I am writing an ancestor memoir about my grandmother's 1893 crossing to America from the Russian Pale of Settlement (now Ukraine), and a never-before spoken tragedy that befell her en route, it brings her memory into the present in horror-filled ways: Russia and Ukraine. Antisemitism. Women and rape and childbirth. Not just one woman's experience, or her granddaughter's channeling of that, but about processing the past with the present to heal, and create a future where we can stop the cycle.
It takes a woman's perspective, with qualities of care, nurturing, and empathy. I always say, "She who writes the story makes history."
This hits home for me, Brooke. I'm assessing the themes (plural) and teasing out the threads as I slowly weave my way into my memoir. As I meander into it more deeply, I'm discovering the layers of connection between the micro and macro stories, the personal and the universal. Objectivity is key, which I why I couldn't write it before this year. I needed distance and clarity, which I am now finding. Thanks once again for sharing your insight and wisdom! ✍️
I remember my first memoir draft of telling everything that happened in great detail. I'm now on my fifth and I hope I've finally mastered the micro/macro. However, as I evolve as a person and gain new perspective on my story there seems to be more to add and I'm not sure where to stop adding.
Beautiful. Although I've written my memoir, I really enjoyed reading this. I actually think I tackled "memoir writing is about two things: self-assessment and societal interrogation," pretty well. The memoir is still being read (published 2004). Although it took place when I was in my 30s, it was a coming of age w/ self-assessment as we were in the process of buying land and moving to a foreign country and were still babes in arms--naive in the ways of that brave new world. And the soc. interrogation took place in my wonderings and views of how the country's past history and civilization played out. Your post made me consider a lot, thank you.
Thank you so much for this! I wish I had read it during the years I was writing my current memoir. Whatever is lacking in the societal connection I am now trying to craft for interviews and podcasts, since I can no longer go back and revise (for the thousandth time).
Great examples that land as possibilities for larger meaning "This is where the work of societal interrogation comes in—where you ask yourself questions about how your story might be bigger than your micro experience. How do you exact meaning from your lived experience to make your book about bigger concepts and themes?"
It was a wonderful retreat. I’m sorry I missed you and Grant as I was selling books in the other room. 😊 It’s interesting how some teachers say read memoir and others say don’t read in your genre. I was relieved when I found the latter. I read 3 memoirs this summer that were about individuals I could relate to and enjoyed their books. However, when I began reading one that was so close personal story, I couldn’t read it. Then began the spiral of why should I write my story because it’s so deeply heartbreaking and it’s not helping me to read this. Ambiguous grief is a simmering b*tch. So I’m not reading this particular memoir. I’m done reading memoirs for a while.
In the interest of paying it forward, wanting success for my writerly friends, I have forwarded this to the lovely women in my writing group who are working on memoir. This is the gift that will keep on giving, and I'm dying for them to succeed. Thank you again for a cut-through-the-b******* piece that really helps.
I love these posts so much, and this one is no exception. Editing on my memoir has made me think about the micro and the macro. Yes, it’s my life and it also applies to the whole world, but finalizing the manuscript at age 42 when the story goes from ages 4-27, sometimes I’m not sure how much self-awareness and knowledge to include.
I love the backpack analogy from Cheryl. And Maggie’s insights. I’ve definitely learned a lot from other memoirs, and it’s my favorite genre to read.
Randomly, I think I was at that same rooftop pool a few days ago! I was in town for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl and Joaquin Phoenix was watching me swim! Haha.
Thank you, Brooke. I was with you on Tuesday when we heard Maggie Smith unfold that wisdom. It struck at the heart of what I am trying to capture. And in this post, you expand it even further into an action item to take the camera lens and zoom in and out. There is a lot there, in all our stories. For my future readers, I'm called to dig deeper.
Bravo, Brooke! This is one of the best things you've written and shared about memoir writing. It triggered helpful new reflections for me in talking about my newly published memoir, and in selecting passages to read and discuss. Thank you!
So perfectly timed, Brooke! I've been wrestling with balancing the micro/macro in my memoir-in-progress, and didn't have a name for it until now. Your Substack reminded me of the Emerson quote: "the universal does not attract us unless housed in the individual," and I think the reverse is true as well—the individual does not attract us unless it speaks to something in us, or more broadly, to the universal. Thank you, as always, for your sharing your wisdom!
I love this quote. All part of the same soup. :)
As I am writing an ancestor memoir about my grandmother's 1893 crossing to America from the Russian Pale of Settlement (now Ukraine), and a never-before spoken tragedy that befell her en route, it brings her memory into the present in horror-filled ways: Russia and Ukraine. Antisemitism. Women and rape and childbirth. Not just one woman's experience, or her granddaughter's channeling of that, but about processing the past with the present to heal, and create a future where we can stop the cycle.
It takes a woman's perspective, with qualities of care, nurturing, and empathy. I always say, "She who writes the story makes history."
Great post, Brooke. Thank you for sharing.
Umm, wait, did you write this for me?
Thank you.
😂
This hits home for me, Brooke. I'm assessing the themes (plural) and teasing out the threads as I slowly weave my way into my memoir. As I meander into it more deeply, I'm discovering the layers of connection between the micro and macro stories, the personal and the universal. Objectivity is key, which I why I couldn't write it before this year. I needed distance and clarity, which I am now finding. Thanks once again for sharing your insight and wisdom! ✍️
I remember my first memoir draft of telling everything that happened in great detail. I'm now on my fifth and I hope I've finally mastered the micro/macro. However, as I evolve as a person and gain new perspective on my story there seems to be more to add and I'm not sure where to stop adding.
Beautiful. Although I've written my memoir, I really enjoyed reading this. I actually think I tackled "memoir writing is about two things: self-assessment and societal interrogation," pretty well. The memoir is still being read (published 2004). Although it took place when I was in my 30s, it was a coming of age w/ self-assessment as we were in the process of buying land and moving to a foreign country and were still babes in arms--naive in the ways of that brave new world. And the soc. interrogation took place in my wonderings and views of how the country's past history and civilization played out. Your post made me consider a lot, thank you.
So glad, Jeanine. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this! I wish I had read it during the years I was writing my current memoir. Whatever is lacking in the societal connection I am now trying to craft for interviews and podcasts, since I can no longer go back and revise (for the thousandth time).
Thank you Brooke, So helpful.
Great examples that land as possibilities for larger meaning "This is where the work of societal interrogation comes in—where you ask yourself questions about how your story might be bigger than your micro experience. How do you exact meaning from your lived experience to make your book about bigger concepts and themes?"
Glad this was helpful, Prajna, and thanks!
It was a wonderful retreat. I’m sorry I missed you and Grant as I was selling books in the other room. 😊 It’s interesting how some teachers say read memoir and others say don’t read in your genre. I was relieved when I found the latter. I read 3 memoirs this summer that were about individuals I could relate to and enjoyed their books. However, when I began reading one that was so close personal story, I couldn’t read it. Then began the spiral of why should I write my story because it’s so deeply heartbreaking and it’s not helping me to read this. Ambiguous grief is a simmering b*tch. So I’m not reading this particular memoir. I’m done reading memoirs for a while.
In the interest of paying it forward, wanting success for my writerly friends, I have forwarded this to the lovely women in my writing group who are working on memoir. This is the gift that will keep on giving, and I'm dying for them to succeed. Thank you again for a cut-through-the-b******* piece that really helps.
I'm so glad, Laury. Thank you!
I love these posts so much, and this one is no exception. Editing on my memoir has made me think about the micro and the macro. Yes, it’s my life and it also applies to the whole world, but finalizing the manuscript at age 42 when the story goes from ages 4-27, sometimes I’m not sure how much self-awareness and knowledge to include.
I love the backpack analogy from Cheryl. And Maggie’s insights. I’ve definitely learned a lot from other memoirs, and it’s my favorite genre to read.
Randomly, I think I was at that same rooftop pool a few days ago! I was in town for a concert at the Hollywood Bowl and Joaquin Phoenix was watching me swim! Haha.
Thanks for this great post!
How funny, Katie. It's a pretty great rooftop in a not-so-great hood...
So important for me. TY
Great clarity about what memoirists go through. I love your camera reference too. Thank you for this piece.
I love this! And so well said, as usual. I'm always grateful for your clarity.
Thank you, Brooke. I was with you on Tuesday when we heard Maggie Smith unfold that wisdom. It struck at the heart of what I am trying to capture. And in this post, you expand it even further into an action item to take the camera lens and zoom in and out. There is a lot there, in all our stories. For my future readers, I'm called to dig deeper.
Bravo, Brooke! This is one of the best things you've written and shared about memoir writing. It triggered helpful new reflections for me in talking about my newly published memoir, and in selecting passages to read and discuss. Thank you!