321: You Have a Story to Tell: The Art of Memoir Writing

Getting Unstuck – Cultivating Curiosity

Guest Cindy House is the author Mother Noise, a memoir in essays and a regular opener for David Sedaris on his tours across the country. She teaches nonfiction in the Lesley University MFA program and memoir writing at the Gotham Writers Workshop. She also offers private writing classes. Summary

This podcast episode explores the art of memoir writing with my guest, Cindy House. Our conversation delved into the memoir’s rising popularity and its essential elements. Cindy emphasizes curiosity as the foundation of writing, discussing how memoir differs from autobiography by focusing on specific life aspects rather than a comprehensive account of one’s life. The conversation covers the structure of memoirs, including the importance of a central dramatic question and thematic framework. Cindy shares insights on overcoming writer's resistance and self-doubt, offering practical strategies for perseverance. The episode also tackles the complex nature of truth in memoir writing, highlighting the significance of personal perspective over historical accuracy.

Three Key Takeaways:

1. Curiosity drives the writing process and is essential for personal and creative growth.

2. Memoir writing focuses on specific life aspects and requires a central dramatic question and thematic framework.

3. Truth in a memoir is often subjective, relying on personal experience and memory rather than historical accuracy.

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About Jeff

Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.

Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.

Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.