"You should write your story because you will someday die"

 

"The reasons for writing a memoir are many, but in this introduction, I want to talk about one reason in particular...You should write your story because you will someday die, and without your story on paper, most of it will be forgotten." 

That's from Dave Eggers' introduction to The Autobiographer's Handbook: The 826 National Guide to Writing a Memoir, a book that features plenty of practical counsel about writing memoir, some of it from me, and some of it from writers like Frank McCourt, Tobias Wolff, Nick Hornby, and Elizabeth "Eat, Pray, Love, Sell a Million Bazillion Copies" Gilbert. It's illustrious company, giving illustrative advice on subjects like where to start your story, how to find your narrative arc, and the art and science of getting published. Also included: a few words from my good friend Melissa Plaut, aka the other New York hack, and the ever-awesome Wendy McClure, on turning your blog into a book. And all proceeds from this book go to benefit Eggers' 826 National, a program devoted to inspiring and supporting creative writing in grade schoolers. All of which makes it an excellent book to purchase and read...before you die and everyone forgets about you! Thanks for that thought, Dave...

Comments

[satia]

You've already written my memoir, give or take some of the specifics, so when I die I'm good.

[Georgia]

Do you think it would be mean to tell Mr. Eggers that even if you were to write a memoir as tome-tastic as his, when you die, MOST of your life will still be forgotten? I'm just talking percentages here...

[EnglishForDirtyForeigners]

Good day!

Although not exactly relating to the thread please allow me, dear friend, to tell you of the newest home of British comedy on the online.

English For Dirty Foreigners is the only show on the internets that will lie to you outrightly about British language, traditions, customs and stuffs.
Oh yes, we have many stuffs.

http://www.EnglishForDirtyForeigners.com

Come for the comedy.
Stay for the hilarity.