This is really interesting Penny, and I agree it can take up to 6 to 12 months. I run a memoir proposal writing course and feel all this applies but also doesn’t. I’ve written three proposals for memoir and keep coming back to the fact I really need to write the actual book first, as it is so like a novel, finding its structure through the process of writing. But then editors want a proposal as it sits under that nonfiction umbrella. I am an advocate for writing a first draft of a memoir before doing a proposal. The whole thing really does take an awful long time!
Yes! I encourage most memoir writers to write the book first - although some do it alongside the writing. Working on the proposal can sometimes help them get to the heart of what it is they want to achieve with the memoir. But absolutely memoir takes longer than other kinds of non-fiction. It’s a complex and beautiful beast ❤️
This is really interesting Penny, and I agree it can take up to 6 to 12 months. I run a memoir proposal writing course and feel all this applies but also doesn’t. I’ve written three proposals for memoir and keep coming back to the fact I really need to write the actual book first, as it is so like a novel, finding its structure through the process of writing. But then editors want a proposal as it sits under that nonfiction umbrella. I am an advocate for writing a first draft of a memoir before doing a proposal. The whole thing really does take an awful long time!
Yes! I encourage most memoir writers to write the book first - although some do it alongside the writing. Working on the proposal can sometimes help them get to the heart of what it is they want to achieve with the memoir. But absolutely memoir takes longer than other kinds of non-fiction. It’s a complex and beautiful beast ❤️
Hard agree.
Thanks a million for this wisdom Penny, I can't wait to for the programme to begin!
Looking forward to working with you!