I am a teenager who wants to write a memoir on coping with self esteem problems and losing weight to create a healthy lifestyle. I come from an overweight family and I want to prove that any one can accomplish these goals when it feels like the world is set against them. What do you think?
Is this an interesting memoir topic?
- Thread starter suzeb
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- interesting memoir topic
Anything can be a good memoir if you're a great writer, and even the best ideas can be terrible memoirs if the writing is poor. It's not such an incredibly interesting idea that you could afford to write it sloppily, but if you write it well enough it could work.
Pollycallin
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- Jan 2, 2009
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If you want to write it, write it. 'Tubby Tips The Scales In Her Favour' 'From Flab To Fab'. It was 'L' but I did it. 'How I stopped our 'Talking Weighing Machine' saying "One At A Time Please".
Go for it.
Go for it.
A memoir is only interesting, by it's very nature, to the people whom it effects, and so yes of course it would an interesting subject, as your target audience are in direct comparison to it's subject.
I think if sympathetically done, with an honest and expressed view of the experiences and feelings everyone has throughout the process, would actually be a breathe of fresh air.
The problem is, as with all these type of books so far, is that an ex anything can be extremely condescending, and frankly patronising - a sort of "I did it, why can't you?" attitude - which of course isn't helpful.
But if you can hold that back, and be absolutely honest about every aspect of your experience, then yes fantastic - if you felt depressed from it, say so; if you cried, say so; if you now feel elated at your weight loss, say so etc.
I think something raw, would be a massive hit.
I think if sympathetically done, with an honest and expressed view of the experiences and feelings everyone has throughout the process, would actually be a breathe of fresh air.
The problem is, as with all these type of books so far, is that an ex anything can be extremely condescending, and frankly patronising - a sort of "I did it, why can't you?" attitude - which of course isn't helpful.
But if you can hold that back, and be absolutely honest about every aspect of your experience, then yes fantastic - if you felt depressed from it, say so; if you cried, say so; if you now feel elated at your weight loss, say so etc.
I think something raw, would be a massive hit.
photographertD
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- Jun 27, 2010
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That sounds awesome, very motivating! You should do that, and get it published, because most kids/teens feel like they can't accomplish anything rEaL, you know? But I think if you do that, then it will show that it doesn't matter that kids and teens are young, they can still accomplish what they want.
Hope you write it! =D
Hope you write it! =D
I took a couple creative non-fiction workshops and found that memoirs no matter the topic will only be interesting if you convey it with the right voice and style. So if you can give it your own flavor then go for it. I wrote one about my grandfather dying of cancer in almost a poetic hymn voice and my professor flipped his lid. Trying to make me get it published now. :/
You need to draw the person in and make them feel like they're there. With really focused description and good flow.
If the reader is pulled in then your topic is interesting!
To Middle Man
flip (one's) lid Slang
1. To react strongly, as with anger or enthusiasm.
In the sense of enthusiasm...please don't try to correct me.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/flip+%28one%27s%29+lid
You need to draw the person in and make them feel like they're there. With really focused description and good flow.
If the reader is pulled in then your topic is interesting!To Middle Man
flip (one's) lid Slang
1. To react strongly, as with anger or enthusiasm.
In the sense of enthusiasm...please don't try to correct me.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/flip+%28one%27s%29+lid
I took a couple creative non-fiction workshops and found that memoirs no matter the topic will only be interesting if you convey it with the right voice and style. So if you can give it your own flavor then go for it. I wrote one about my grandfather dying of cancer in almost a poetic hymn voice and my professor flipped his lid. Trying to make me get it published now. :/
You need to draw the person in and make them feel like they're there. With really focused description and good flow. If the reader is pulled in then your topic is interesting!
To Middle Man
flip (one's) lid Slang
1. To react strongly, as with anger or enthusiasm.
In the sense of enthusiasm...please don't try to correct me.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/flip+%28one%27s%29+lid
You need to draw the person in and make them feel like they're there. With really focused description and good flow.
If the reader is pulled in then your topic is interesting!To Middle Man
flip (one's) lid Slang
1. To react strongly, as with anger or enthusiasm.
In the sense of enthusiasm...please don't try to correct me.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/flip+%28one%27s%29+lid
I took a couple creative non-fiction workshops and found that memoirs no matter the topic will only be interesting if you convey it with the right voice and style. So if you can give it your own flavor then go for it. I wrote one about my grandfather dying of cancer in almost a poetic hymn voice and my professor flipped his lid. Trying to make me get it published now. :/
You need to draw the person in and make them feel like they're there. With really focused description and good flow. If the reader is pulled in then your topic is interesting!
To Middle Man
flip (one's) lid Slang
1. To react strongly, as with anger or enthusiasm.
In the sense of enthusiasm...please don't try to correct me.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/flip+%28one%27s%29+lid
You need to draw the person in and make them feel like they're there. With really focused description and good flow.
If the reader is pulled in then your topic is interesting!To Middle Man
flip (one's) lid Slang
1. To react strongly, as with anger or enthusiasm.
In the sense of enthusiasm...please don't try to correct me.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/flip+%28one%27s%29+lid
Yes, I am basing this opinion on
1. I would want to read it
2. Lots upon lots of television programmes have this as their subject matter - transformations, journeys etc..
So many memoirs are about misery or famous people, so if you could achieve in writing this something with some humour and not too much self importance, if you could reach out to the ordinary people, and describe some of your setbacks with dignity and humour and a good heart, then you could be on to a winner here!
Actually, there is a book I read once called Reinventing Tara, and that has a transformation, breaking free from your family kind of story line, although I would rate that 6 out of 10, But when I first bought it, I found the subject matter promising. It's about the way that your initial family circumstances can hold you back, but then eventually you can build another life for yourself and it can be better and exciting!
1. I would want to read it
2. Lots upon lots of television programmes have this as their subject matter - transformations, journeys etc..
So many memoirs are about misery or famous people, so if you could achieve in writing this something with some humour and not too much self importance, if you could reach out to the ordinary people, and describe some of your setbacks with dignity and humour and a good heart, then you could be on to a winner here!
Actually, there is a book I read once called Reinventing Tara, and that has a transformation, breaking free from your family kind of story line, although I would rate that 6 out of 10, But when I first bought it, I found the subject matter promising. It's about the way that your initial family circumstances can hold you back, but then eventually you can build another life for yourself and it can be better and exciting!