Choosing the Right Approach for Your Story
As a Veteran who specializes in Military Editing, I often help other Veterans to write their Memoirs or biographies.
Memoirs are a compelling way to preserve personal experiences, offering readers insight, inspiration, and connection. While all memoirs are based on lived experiences, they can take different forms depending on their focus and intent. Understanding these distinctions can help writers craft a clear, impactful narrative that resonates with the right audience. Below, we explore four primary types of memoirs: Legacy Memoirs, Inspirational Memoirs, Event Memoirs, and Transformational Memoirs.
1. Legacy Memoirs
Audience: Family members, historians, future generations
Content: Legacy memoirs focus on documenting personal history, values, and life lessons. They are often written to preserve family traditions, provide insight into historical events, or pass down wisdom to future generations. These memoirs may cover a lifetime of experiences or emphasize key moments that define the author’s journey.
Purpose: The goal is to leave a lasting record that bridges generations. These memoirs help capture the essence of a person’s life, ensuring their legacy lives on through their words.
Example: A grandparent writing about their immigration journey, military service, or career experiences to preserve family heritage. For Veterans, this might look like a book about your military career. Check out Life in the Fast Lane by Tom Dwelle or Static Line by James H. Johnson.
2. Inspirational Memoirs
Audience: Readers seeking encouragement, self-help enthusiasts, individuals facing adversity
Content: Inspirational memoirs highlight resilience, perseverance, and personal triumph. The author shares their challenges and how they overcame them, often weaving in lessons learned along the way. These stories are deeply emotional and offer encouragement to readers facing similar struggles.
Purpose: The aim is to uplift and empower readers by showing that obstacles can be overcome. These memoirs provide motivation and practical insights for those seeking hope and transformation.
Example: A survivor sharing their journey through illness, addiction recovery, or personal hardships to inspire others in similar situations. Veterans might write about surviving the loss of battle buddies, injuries they have overcome, addiction, or PTSD. Check out God Never Moved by Diana Tenney and Jerry Laperriere or Becoming a SCI Superhero by Stefan P. Yurica.
3. Event Memoirs
Audience: Readers interested in historical events, true-story enthusiasts, scholars
Content: Event memoirs focus on a specific event or time period in the author’s life. These books provide a detailed, firsthand account of pivotal moments, offering unique perspectives on significant occurrences such as war, social movements, or personal crises.
Purpose: The primary goal is to document and analyze a singular experience, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the moment. These memoirs serve as historical records while delivering compelling personal narratives.
Example: A journalist recounting their experience covering a war zone or a survivor describing their escape from a natural disaster. See It Was What It Was by Daniel Pace, a book we edited.
4. Transformational Memoirs
Audience: Readers on a journey of self-discovery, personal development enthusiasts, individuals seeking change
Content: Transformational memoirs document profound internal growth, self-discovery, or a major life shift. Unlike other memoirs that focus on external events, these books explore an individual’s emotional or spiritual evolution.
Purpose: The goal is to share how the author experienced a significant transformation, encouraging readers to reflect on their own lives and consider new perspectives or changes.
Example: Someone writing about their journey from a destructive lifestyle to personal fulfillment through self-awareness and mindfulness. For Veterans, this might look like a maturation story, about learning to become a leader.
Choosing the Right Type of Memoir for Your Story
If you’re planning to write a memoir, start by identifying your core message. Are you documenting your life for future generations? Hoping to inspire others? Sharing a pivotal event? Or exploring a personal transformation? Understanding these categories can help shape your memoir into a compelling and meaningful narrative.
No matter which type you choose, a great memoir draws readers in, allowing them to connect with your experiences and emotions. If you’re ready to tell your story, now is the perfect time to start writing!
How can a Military Editor Help You with Your Memoir?
I can help you outline, coach you how to write better, or ghostwrite your memoir based on interviews. The biggest help i can provide is to help you focus the information you are relaying to your audience so that the content is compelling, interesting, and relevant.
To find out if our advice can help you write your best book, we offer a free discovery call for full-length manuscripts. Request yours today!
Randy and Laura were fun to work with. As an author who had primarily written technical material before this project, I struggled to write clearly to people outside my field. Randy and Laura helped me improve my ability to communicate with a broader audience. I definitely recommend their services to other transitioning military personnel looking to write to a civilian audience.
Working with Randy and Laura has been a humbling experience in the most positive way. I cannot recommend them enough. If you struggle with the outline like I do, they are a great resource to bounce ideas off of. Five/five.
How Can We Help You Write Your Best Book?
Do you want someone to come along side you as you write, providing you with continuing support and feedback as you plan, write, or revise your novel?
Do you have a completed manuscript in need of a deep read by a professional who will provide you with detailed feedback, suggestions, and a clear way forward?
Do you have an idea for a book or professional knowledge and experience you want to share with the world, but lack the time or experience to write a book?
The Story Ninjas 
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