Building Community Through Memoir Writing

As a published author and memoir instructor, I've had the privilege of witnessing the profound impact that sharing our stories can have on us and our communities.

I recently had the privilege of teaching 18 students in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Eckerd College about the craft of writing memoirs. We covered as much as we could in 2 90-minute sessions, from idea generation, embracing vulnerability, publishing paths, and author marketing.

Those were just the highlights, but the magic happened in the discussions and hearing my students share their words with the class. It’s not easy to stand in front of people you met only a week ago and share your writing.

I loved hearing their words, insights into their world, their past, and their personalities. Each reading was no more than 5 minutes in length, but the passages were a window into someone else’s world. I learned that Janis loves to cook, and that she can make at least 8 meals out of one roast turkey. But there’s more to her story than rattling off what she cooked. She shared her evolution over more than 50 years from being the primary person in the household who was responsible for her family’s nourishment.

As a woman, I could relate to that task of trying to find something tasty that everyone will enjoy, often shopping for the ingredients, then cooking it all, hoping it is appreciated and enjoyed.

That’s the power of stories. I learned something new about someone I’d only met recently. I connected with her experience. And I leaned that she is obviously a fantastic cook. I don’t think I could produce 8 different, delicious dishes from one turkey.

The community connection I experienced was an unexpected by-product of publishing my memoir of 22 years of political spouse life. When someone asks me what it feels like to have published a book, I always tell them about the amazing author community I discovered in the post-publishing phase.

Creating Community Through Memoir

Memoir writing, at its core, is a deeply communal endeavor. It's a shared exploration of the human experience, one that resonates across cultural, social, and generational divides. As authors, we can bridge the gap between our individual narratives, weaving threads of connection that transcend boundaries that often exist between individuals.

When we share our stories, we invite others to see themselves reflected in our words - to find solace, inspiration, and validation in the shared struggles and triumphs of the human condition. Sharing our words cultivates a sense of belonging, forging bonds that transcend the page and endure long after the last chapter is read.

Before I published my book, my tendency was to work in solitude. I resisted seeking the advice of others. My husband was a public figure for most of our marriage, throughout the raising of our children, and while we navigated significant life events, such as a fire and cancer. Because much of my life was lived in the public eye, I often withdrew as a form of protection.

I often worried whether my words would have a negative impact on my spouse’s political career. I was careful to hold my words, rarely sharing opinions on social media, for fear that my words could become the subject of a news story and negatively affect my husband’s reputation as an elected official.

Now that I’ve published a book, spoken to organizations, conducted dozens of interviews, I know that’s not true. I’m comfortable with being vulnerable. I believe that in sharing our thoughts and stories through our written words that we have the power to connect with others and create community.

Loneliness is an epidemic, compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic. Many sought communities in books, which sparked conversations and provided a safe space for people to connect in a world that often lacked empathy.

Sharing my words through my book allowed me to create and embrace a community of authors, storytellers, and readers. A chance meeting with someone can lead to an opportunity to expand your world.

I met Rhonda a year ago when the Cuban ambassador visited. She is also an author, on the cusp of publishing her first book. Instead of standing next to my husband while he spoke to someone I didn’t know, I struck up a conversation. In the spirit of creating community, I listened to her captivating story of her husband’s emigration from Cuba as a minor-league baseball player, as well as her own author journey. We are now friends; I look forward to joining her next month as a featured speaker at the inaugural Tampa International Book Festival.

Connections. Community. Camaraderie.

That’s the power or writing, harnessed as the catalyst to build community.

When the marketing director at a local boutique hotel approached me to offer to coordinate an author event, I immediately thought of other local authors who should also have this opportunity.

One might wonder why I’d want to share the spotlight when more than 2 years after publishing, someone was offering to host an event for me. What began as a one-woman show evolved into a six-author event on a bitter (yes, it sometimes gets chilly in Florida) Sunday afternoon poolside.

What a time we had. We shared our stories, read excerpts from our books, and we connected with new readers who bought our books.

The Entrepreneurial Perspective

Any author who tells you they don’t get excited when they receive royalties from books sales is dishonest. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that someone is interested enough in your story to buy your work.

Authors can be entrepreneurs. The business of marketing yourself requires confidence, persistence, and always, vulnerability.

Success isn't just measured in profits and accolades but in the strength of the relationships they nurture and the communities they cultivate. In much the same way, memoir writers can draw inspiration from the entrepreneurial ethos, recognizing that the true value of their craft lies in the connections they forge and the lives they touch.

Just as entrepreneurs leverage community to fuel their growth and innovation, memoirists can harness the power of shared experience to amplify their impact and reach. Whether through workshops, book clubs, or online forums, the author community offers a wealth of opportunities for collaboration, support, and mutual enrichment.

As an author, I strive to create a space where writers and readers alike can come together to celebrate the transformative power of storytelling.

I enjoy delving into topics ranging from the art of memoir writing to the nuances of vulnerability and resilience. I hope that by sharing my experiences you find inspiration, encouragement, and a sense of belonging in the broader community of memoir enthusiasts.

An invitation to connect

Memoir writing serves as a testament to our collective resilience, courage, and capacity for empathy. Through the act of sharing our stories, we find healing and catharsis, but we also build bridges of connection that span the depths of our shared humanity.

In the spirit of community connection, I invite you to join my Facebook Group: Make Memoir Magic. It’s a growing online community of support, inclusion, and interaction between writers who are at various stages in their author journey. Click this LINK to join. I’d love to have you.

As an aspiring author, I know you have questions. I certainly did, and I’m glad I summoned bravery when seeking answers. I would love for you to join me Tuesday, Feb. 13, 1 p.m., on Facebook for a Live Q & A Session. The link to join the session live is HERE.

Questions need not be submitted ahead of time, but if you’d like to do so, head on over to my Facebook page by clicking this LINK to follow the page. There, you’ll also find the Live Q & A Event. You can drop your questions there, or as a post on the page. Just hashtag #liveq&a so I’ll be sure to see it.

As writers, we have the power to shape narratives that inspire, empower, and unite us in our common quest for understanding and belonging. Let us embrace vulnerability as our greatest strength and storytelling as our most potent tool for change. Together, we can create a world where every voice is heard, every story is valued, and every heart is touched by the transformative power of community.

Hope to see you in the Make Memoir Magic Facebook Group!