Expert: Susan Rand - 9/29/2009

Question
I have been going back and forth the past year or so wondering if I should write a memoir about my teenage days or should I write a novel? Some people I talk to say novel, some say memoir.  I'm lost and confused with a great story/material accumulated from 13 to 19 years of age.  Help!

Answer
Hello Steve:

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I have enough material or can I remember enough incidents, etc. to fill a memoir book?

2. How candid do I want to be? Am I wlling to hurt someone's feelings or make them angry to tell the truth?

3. Does it make a better book to tell the truth, or to make things up? Which type of book do I read?

If the answers are "yes" you should consider writing a memoir. Now ask yourself these questions:

1. Am I good at making up stories that are interesting, lively, and actually add to real events?

2. Should I consider writing a creative non-fiction book? (google this to find out what it is).

3. Do I want to make up characters, or use real people from my past? If I use real people, how will I disguise them? CAN I disguise them?

If the answers to these questions are yes, consider a novel.

I hope this helps. If it does, a nice rating would be greatly appreciated. I am proud of my high scores over 1900 questions.

And good luck with your writing!

And