Should You Start with a Blog Before Writing a Memoir?

Many aspiring memoir writers face a key decision: should they start by establishing a blog and building a following, or dive straight into writing their memoir? This article explores the pros and cons of each approach, offering insights to help writers make an informed decision.

Addressing the Common Questions

Quora users often ask, 'Should I start with a blog and develop a fan base before writing a memoir?' This query stems from a desire to prepare adequately for the writing process. In one answer, Ernestine King shares her experience of self-publishing with Covenant Publishing Company, highlighting the importance of word-of-mouth promotion and engaging with book clubs.

However, the answer to this question is not as straightforward as it might seem. Building a blog and a fan base is a strategy that can be beneficial, but it's not mandatory.

Building a Blog and Fan Base

A blog is an effective tool for preparing oneself for the writing process. Regular writing on a blog can help establish a writing habit and refine your skills. It provides a platform for you to share snippets of your experiences, thoughts, and ideas, which can subtly lead into personal stories that might form the basis of your memoir.

Practical Steps to Start a Blog

Choose a blogging platform like WordPress or Blogger. Create engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Share your blog posts on social media and relevant communities. Engage with your audience through comments, emails, and community discussions. Collate your content to build a solid base of readers before delving into your memoir.

Direct Path to Writing a Memoir

Another approach is to jump straight into writing your memoir. This might be suitable if you have a clear sense of your story's direction and have already thought through the narrative arc.

Pros:

You can start writing immediately and get a fresh perspective. No need to worry about audience reach and engagement. Flexibility in terms of content and style.

Cons:

Loss of writing momentum due to the sheer volume of work involved. Potential burnout from the demanding nature of memoir writing. Difficulty in gaining publisher interest without a proven readership.

Proving Your Manuscript's Value

No matter which path you choose, proving the value of your manuscript to potential publishers is crucial. A blog, even one with a small following, can provide valuable evidence of your writing skill and audience engagement.

Here are some strategies to demonstrate the significance of your memoir:

Detail your writing experience and practice. Highlight any prior writing achievements or publications. Provide testimonials from your blog followers about the impact of your content. Outline the unique selling points of your memoir that set it apart from others.

Case Study: Success Without a Fan Base

Ernestine King's memoir, "The Owl Who’s Foot Wouldn’t Fit the Limb," was accepted by Covenant Publishing Company without a large following. She emphasizes the power of word-of-mouth and direct engagement through social media and book clubs.

Proving the market for your memoir even when starting from scratch isn't impossible. One example is the memoir of a man who won ￡64,000 on a TV guessing game, which was perceived as a banal achievement. While this book may not have reached a wide audience, the same could be avoided by clearly outlining the value and significance of your story.

Conclusion

Starting with a blog can offer preparation and audience engagement, but it's not the only path. Directly tackling your memoir might be a more straightforward approach for those ready to take on the challenge. Regardless of your chosen path, the key is to show your commitment to your story and its potential to resonate with readers.

So, go ahead and write that memoir – it’s an exciting journey that can lead to remarkable outcomes, whether you start with a blog or not!