Making Memoir Magic

What does returning to an unfinished manuscript have in common with two young girls selling handmade bead animals from a tiny table on the side of the road? More than you might think. In this episode, I share a quiet moment from Fourth of July weekend that became an unexpected lesson about courage, creativity, and why memoir writers often overlook the stories already waiting for them. We’ll explor...

This week, I found myself juggling roofing delays, flooring disputes, a package stranded in a warehouse, and a hole in my kitchen ceiling. None of it was life-threatening. All of it required persistence. Phone calls. Documentation. Follow-up emails. Advocating for ourselves in ways no one ever prepares us for. Somewhere in the middle of all of it, I realized that writing memoir asks something rema...

Have you ever told yourself: “I’m too old to start.” “I should have done this years ago.” “Someone else is already doing it better.” If so, this episode is for you. As I approach my 58th birthday, I’m reflecting on the decade that changed me most. In my 50s, I published my first book, survived ovarian and uterine cancer, left a career that no longer fulfilled me, and stepped into a new identity as...

In this heartfelt episode of Making Memoir Magic , Kerry reflects on a simple ritual: walking her dog Christie through her neighborhood each morning and pausing to say hello. Those two words—a greeting, a moment of recognition, a brief conversation—become a reminder of something many of us are missing in a world of distractions and screens: the gift of truly seeing one another. Through stories abo...

Have you ever wondered how you’ll fit your entire life into a single book? If so, you’re not alone. In this episode, we’re exploring one of the most common mistakes aspiring memoir writers make: trying to tell everything. You’ll learn: • Why memoir is different from autobiography • Why readers connect to transformation, not timelines • How defining moments create structure • Why the goal of memoir...

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn a book into an audiobook? In this episode, I pull back the curtain on my journey of recording and publishing the audiobook version of my memoir, Accidental First Lady . From choosing a professional recording studio over a DIY closet setup to navigating ACX, Audible’s audiobook platform, I share the lessons I learned, the mistakes I made, and the surpris...

Why do some moments stay with us for decades while entire seasons of life fade into blur? In this episode, memoir mentor and author Kerry Kriseman explores the fascinating connection between memory, emotion, and storytelling — and why the moments you remember most vividly are often the key to uncovering your memoir. You’ll learn: * why emotional memories stay etched in our minds * how defining mom...

Can writers change their voice over time? Or does evolving creatively mean losing what made their writing unique in the first place? In this episode, we explore one of the most common — and emotionally loaded — questions writers ask themselves, especially after publishing a first book:“Can my writing voice change?” The answer is yes. But the deeper conversation is about authenticity, growth, emoti...

Have you ever wondered:– Am I really a writer?– Is my story worth telling?– What if I start and never finish?– Is it too late for me to write a memoir? In this episode, Kerry shares the five biggest questions aspiring memoirists ask before they begin writing—and the deeper fears often hiding beneath those questions. This heartfelt conversation explores:✨ why memoir writing feels so vulnerable✨ t...

If you’ve been thinking about writing your memoir—but haven’t started (or can’t seem to keep going)—this episode is for you. Your story isn’t stuck because you lack talent, time, or discipline. More often, it’s a handful of subtle but powerful habits that quietly keep you circling instead of creating. In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the three most common mistakes that keep aspiring memoiri...

If you’re standing in front of a blank page feeling both excited and completely overwhelmed, this episode is for you. Most aspiring memoir writers don’t struggle because they have nothing to say—they struggle because they have too much . A lifetime of memories, emotions, turning points, and questions can feel like a storm with no clear way in. In this episode, we explore how to move from overwhelm...

Writers often think their memoir feels flat because the story itself isn’t strong enough. But that’s rarely the problem. In this episode, I’m sharing a powerful lesson pulled straight from what I’m teaching live right now inside my Zoom workshop for memoir writers—and it was simply too good not to bring to the podcast. You’ll learn why memoir scenes are the key to transforming meaningful memories...

Can you get sued for writing your memoir? It’s one of the most common fears aspiring memoir writers face. In this episode, we’re breaking it down in a clear, thoughtful way. While this isn’t legal advice, you’ll learn how to approach writing about real people with greater awareness and confidence. Drawing from real conversations with other writers, we explore the difference between perceived risk...

Querying your memoir can feel intimidating. Not writing it. Not revising it. But sending that query letter to an agent and hoping they say yes? That’s the real challenge. In this episode of Making Memoir Magic , I walk memoir writers through the querying process, sharing practical tips and strategies that make it easier to navigate. We cover: * How to find comparative titles (comp titles) for your...

If your memoir feels flat, the problem may not be your story — it may be how you’re telling it. In this mini-lesson, Kerry breaks down one of the most important craft distinctions in memoir writing: scene vs. summary . You’ll learn why summary explains but scene immerses, and how slowing down your turning points can dramatically increase the emotional impact of your writing. Through concrete examp...

Do you hesitate to write your memoir because of fear—of judgment, criticism, or misunderstanding? In this episode, Kerry explores why fear of judgment is natural, how it shows up in your writing, and practical strategies to write authentically anyway. Learn how to reclaim your voice, embrace courage, and share your story honestly without overthinking. What You’ll Learn: * Why fear of judgment stop...

Do you overexplain your life in your memoir? Stop! In this episode, Kerry teaches aspiring writers how to trust their story and their voice, strip away unnecessary justification, and connect with readers emotionally. With practical exercises and mindset shifts, this episode will help you show up boldly and write honestly—without overexplaining. What You’ll Learn: * Why overexplaining hurts your me...

What if the reason you haven’t started your book isn’t lack of talent—but waiting for perfect conditions? In this episode, Kerry busts the myth of the big writing retreat and reveals what actually gets books written: twenty minutes a day, a chair, and a decision. You’ll learn how to create a writing retreat at home, DIY a retreat in one weekend, and build a consistent writing habit—without waiting...

In this conversation, Kerry Kriseman emphasizes the significance of storytelling, especially during challenging times. She reassures listeners that their stories are valuable and necessary, serving as acts of resistance and courage. Kriseman discusses her course, Make Memoir Magic , as a pathway for aspiring authors to reclaim their voices and share their narratives. She encourages individuals to...

It’s already the third week of January—and if your memoir is still unwritten, you’re not alone. In this episode, Kerry Kriseman unpacks why so many memoir dreams get postponed and what it really takes to start writing in real life—not in a fantasy schedule. You’ll meet three types of writers Kerry sees most often:• The at-home entrepreneur with young kids• The full-time worker with limited energy...

Episode notes:If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll write your memoir when you have more time… more clarity… more confidence —this episode is for you. Today, we’re going one layer deeper than productivity tips and writing advice. We’re talking about the fears that hide behind “I’m just busy” and “maybe someday.” The ones that sound reasonable. The ones that keep you stuck. In this episode, we exp...

Episode Description: Many aspiring memoir writers believe their story isn’t “big enough” to matter. In this episode, Kerry explores why that belief is the real obstacle—and how meaningful memoirs are built from everyday experiences, quiet transformations, and personal truth. If you’ve ever questioned whether your life is worth writing about, this conversation will help you reframe memoir, understa...

Writing faster doesn’t have to mean writing sloppier. In this episode of Making Memoir Magic , we’re talking about how memoir writers can write with more speed and more confidence—by putting a solid structure in place first. If you feel stuck, slow, or caught in endless rewrites, the problem may not be discipline or motivation. It may be that you’re trying to write without a roadmap. In this episo...

If the calendar is screaming “December!” and your writing brain is whispering “Maybe next year…” — take a breath. This episode is your soft landing and your gentle-but-firm nudge forward. In just 13 minutes, I’m sharing five simple, doable actions you can take this week to move your memoir forward — even in the swirl of holidays, obligations, and glitter-covered chaos. These aren’t big, dramatic,...

We live in a world that quietly demands perfection. From perfect timing, perfect choices, perfect progress, perfect everything. Yet, most of our lives are lived in the in-between. The messy middle. The unfinished chapters. The still-figuring-it-out seasons. In this episode, Kerry Kriseman explores why imperfection isn’t something to fix, but instead by flipping the script, explains why it’s someth...