Key Strategies To Successfully Self-Edit Your Memoir
Figure out what stays and what to cut!
One of the most challenging parts of revising any book—but especially a memoir—is determining what you should include and what isn't necessary in your final manuscript.
As writers, we obviously enjoy writing, and that can sometimes lead us to getting carried away. I know I've found myself writing way more than I needed to! However, if you're hesitant to open up and be vulnerable, you run the risk of creating a book that feels impersonal and dry.
So, how do you strike the right balance? How do you know what to include in your memoir and what you should remove?
First, make sure you're self-editing and revising after your first draft but before ordering printed proofs for your book.
Before you start aggressively cutting out large chunks of writing—or even a few sentences—make sure you're at the right place in the writing process to do so.
When is the right time to self-edit and revise? After you've finished your first draft and given yourself a bit of space from your work, and before you're ordering your printed proofs. Why? Well, as we've often shared in our newsletters, it's important to allow yourself to be creative and unrestricted when writing your first draft. If you censor yourself too early, you may not write at all.
However, by the time you're ordering printed proofs, you're primarily looking at the cover design and searching for typos, grammar issues, repeated words, etc. We encourage authors to proof their books prior to publication so we can catch any issues before the book gets into the reader's hands. This step is all about polishing the final product. At this stage, you don't want to be making big developmental changes as it can significantly delay your publication date.
Create a "parking lot" for writing you probably won't use in your book but may use elsewhere.
One of the harder things to do as you revise your manuscript is to remove well-written sections of your book—even if there's a valid reason for removing them. But you don't want to keep something in your book just because it sounds nice; your writing needs to add to your book.
That's where the idea of the writing parking lot comes in. A writing parking lot is a place for your writing that doesn't belong in your book to hang out while you figure out what does and doesn't work in your story.
This is helpful for a few reasons. First, you don't have to feel like you've wasted time or effort just because something doesn't go into your story. Assuming you don't end up placing the writing you keep in the parking lot into your book, you can still use it for other purposes. You never know what can spark a new idea, so don't be afraid to come back to your parking lot after you've finished your book to remind yourself what you've already written!
Remember the core messages and themes in your story.
Of course, some areas won't directly relate to your overall themes or messages but should remain in your book. For example, if I'm writing a book with a message about trusting your intuition and learning to love yourself, telling my readers about where I grew up doesn't tie into my themes. However, for readers to understand those bigger messages, they need to first have some context for the rest of the story.
Writing a memoir is obviously very personal, though, and it can be tricky to pick out specific paragraphs and sentences that relate to your message. For this reason, we encourage writers to find beta readers, join writing groups, and/or work with an editor. Getting an objective viewpoint will make the task of sharing the essential elements and removing what's not needed much easier.
Just like anything, it takes time and practice to revise your work. However, the more you read, write, and ask for feedback from experts, the more easily you'll be able to identify what matters and what doesn't.
What challenges have you experienced when writing a memoir? Share your experiences in the comments! And if you find this post interesting or helpful, please share this newsletter with others by restacking it!
If you are writing a book and want a hand, let us know! Our team—Kim, Emily, and Jean—would love to help you with creating your book. If you'd like to talk about your idea or want advice, we are here for you. Even if we don't work together, I'm happy to share what I know. Book a 30-minute complimentary consultation by clicking here:
https://www.kwepub.com/consultation
We look forward to hearing about your incredible book project.
Write on!
Kim Eley
KWE Publishing
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun”
–Mary Lou Cook
Check Out Unstoppable Sass: From Struggles to Strength
Unstoppable Sass: From Struggles to Strength by author Sharon Heno launched this week and is available for purchase today! You won’t want to miss this memoir, which perfectly combines humor, courage, faith, and of course, sass!
With raw vulnerability and laugh-out-loud moments, Unstoppable Sass traces how author Sharon Heno transformed the darkest struggles into stepping stones toward a joy-filled life. Drawing on over twenty years of experience as a mental health professional, Heno reveals the transformative power of hope and faith through deeply personal stories and God's word. In moments when life's struggles seem insurmountable, this book offers a guiding spark-illuminating the way to healing, renewal, and abundant joy. With a fresh and relatable voice, the author uses humor and vulnerability to dismantle the barriers that keep individuals isolated, showing readers how to embrace their unique journey and rediscover their purpose.
What sets Unstoppable Sass apart is its fusion of inspiration and practicality. The author's journey, both with and without God, showcases the miracles that arise when faith meets drive and determination. Designed to entertain, uplift, and inform, this book is a beacon for anyone seeking renewal and release from life's challenges. Whether you're navigating mental health struggles, yearning for spiritual growth, or simply searching for a life brimming with joy, Unstoppable Sass is your first step toward an extraordinary transformation. With humor, profound insights, and unwavering faith, this book plants seeds of hope that grow into a blazing desire to live your fullest, most joy-filled life.
Coming Soon: Katie Finds Her Voice: A Story About Autism
Written by award-winning children’s book author Amy McCoy and illustrated by Heather Bell, Katie Finds Her Voice: A Story About Autism launches Tuesday, March 25th, 2025! This heartwarming story follows Katie, a first grader who knows a lot about autism because her older brother, Mikey is autistic. Through Katie’s eyes, readers learn that kids with autism want what everyone wants: a family who loves them, friends to play with, and teachers to learn from.
Katie Finds Her Voice is an excellent resource for teachers, students, parents, and anyone who wants to learn more and spark a conversation around autism awareness and acceptance.
You can learn more and check out Amy’s other books by clicking the button below!
Resources:
Here at KWE Publishing, we want to share a few of our favorite resources with our newsletter readers. Check back weekly to see what resources we recommend!
Whether you’re a brand-new writer or a seasoned pro, there’s always more to learn about writing! Recently, we came across a great site that is all about helping writers improve their craft—The Writer’s Workout.
Created in 2014, The Writer’s Workout is a nonprofit that focuses on bringing writers together and educating writers of all skill levels and backgrounds. The Writer’s Workout hosts contests, competitions, and free conferences, and the site’s blog is filled with helpful articles about specific writing elements. No matter what genre you write in or how long you’ve been writing, you’re sure to find something interesting here!
