Making Memoir Magic

Kerry Kriseman
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The podcast where we unlock the power of your story and guide you through the magical process of turning life experiences into memoirs that inspire and impact. kerrykriseman.substack.com

  1. APR 28

    Why You Don't Need to be a "Writer" to Write Your Memoir

    There’s a belief that keeps far too many stories locked away: “I’m not a writer.” In this episode, we gently unravel that idea—and replace it with something far more freeing. Because memoir was never meant to belong to “writers.”  It belongs to people who have lived, felt, questioned, and grown. If you’ve been waiting to feel more confident, more qualified, or more “ready” before you begin writing your story, this episode is your permission slip to stop waiting. You don’t need perfect grammar.  You don’t need a polished voice.  You don’t need to know how it all ends. You just need a willingness to begin. Inside this episode, we explore:  Why the label “writer” might be the very thing holding you back  What memoir is actually about (hint: it’s not perfection)  The mindset shift that makes writing feel possible again  What you truly need to start—and it’s simpler than you think This is an invitation to come back to your story—not as a writer, but as a witness to your own life. ✨ Takeaway You don’t become a writer and then start your memoir. You start your memoir… and somewhere along the way, you realize you’ve been a writer all along. 💡 Ready to Begin? Join me for my free workshop:  The Memoir Blueprint: How to Stop Overthinking and Start Writing This is where you’ll take that first step—with guidance, structure, and the permission you’ve been waiting for. SAVE YOUR SEAT FOR THE WORKSHOP! 💬 Let’s Stay Connected If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who has a story inside them. And if you’re ready for support, encouragement, and a community of writers just like you, come join us inside my free Facebook group: Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors.. Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.  Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

    11 min

  2. APR 21

    3 Mistakes that Keep Your Story Stuck

    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 memoirists stuck—and how to move past them so you can finally begin. Because your story doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be written. 🔑 What You’ll Learn  Why waiting for clarity is keeping you from starting  How overthinking sabotages your writing momentum  The role structure plays in bringing your story to life  A simple mindset shift to help you move from stuck to started  How to begin writing—even if you don’t feel ready 🖊️ Key Takeaway You don’t find your story by thinking about it. You find it by writing it. 🎯 Ready to Take the Next Step? 📚 Free Workshop The Memoir Blueprint: How to Stop Overthinking and Start Writing 🗓 May 7 If you’re ready to move from idea to action, this free workshop will give you a simple, powerful framework to finally start your memoir—with clarity and confidence. 👉 Save your seat here. 💬 Join the Community Come join us inside my free Facebook group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors — a supportive space for writers and aspiring authors who are ready to turn their life experiences into meaningful stories. 👉 Join here. 💭 Loved This Episode? If this episode resonated with you, be sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who has a story to tell. And remember— Your story isn’t too small.  It’s not too late.  And it’s not too much. It’s waiting for you. Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.  Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

    11 min

  3. APR 16

    How to Start Your Memoir When You Don't Know How to Begin

    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 to clarity by finding the true beginning of your memoir—not the start of your life story, but the moment everything changed. You’ll learn:  Why most writers get stuck before they even begin  The emotional trap of trying to include “everything”  How to find the defining moment that anchors your memoir  A simple 3-step method to uncover your story’s starting point  Why your memoir begins with a scene, not a summary  How to write forward even when you don’t have it all figured out This is your reminder that clarity doesn’t come before writing. It comes through writing. And your story doesn’t need perfection to begin—it just needs permission. If this episode spoke to you, stay connected 💬 Join the my free Facebook group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, which offers support, encouragement, and ongoing inspiration as you begin or continue your memoir journey. JOIN HERE ✍️ Take the Next Step: The Memoir Blueprint Workshop If you’re ready to go deeper and finally get unstuck, I invite you to join my workshop: The Memoir Blueprint: How to Stop Overthinking and Start Writing This workshop will help you:  Identify the core story beneath your life experiences  Stop overthinking and start writing with direction  Find your natural entry point into your memoir  Turn overwhelm into a clear, simple writing path Because your memoir doesn’t begin when you feel ready. It begins when you decide to begin. Your story is not too much. It’s waiting for shape. And shape begins with a single brave page. Register to attend the May 7. workshop. I’ll see you inside. Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.  Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

    15 min

  4. APR 6

    The Secret to Writing Memoir Scenes that Keep Your Audience Reading

    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 into immersive experiences readers can feel. We’ll talk about the difference between summary and scene, how to use sensory detail, dialogue, action, and interiority, and the most common mistakes writers make when they rush through the very moments that matter most.  If you’ve ever written a deeply important life moment only to think, why does this feel flat?—this episode will show you exactly how to fix it. In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why memoir scenes matter more than chronology  The difference between telling emotion and creating experience  How to use show-don’t-tell in memoir  The anatomy of a powerful memoir scene  Common scene-writing mistakes memoirists make  A simple revision exercise to strengthen flat pages Want support bringing your memories to life on the page? Join my free Facebook community, Make Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we gather every Wednesday for Memoir Magic Write-Ins, plus writing tips, live Q&A, opportunities to share your work, and the encouragement every memoirist needs. Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.  Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

    11 min

  5. MAR 23

    Can You Be Sued for Writing Your Memoir? Let’s Talk About It.

    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 and reality—and how to tell the truth without creating unnecessary exposure. If fear has been holding you back from writing your story, this episode will help you move forward with intention. In this episode I'll cover:  Can you be sued for writing a memoir?  Common legal fears writers have  Writing about real people safely  Why truth alone isn’t the full picture  The power of perspective in memoir writing  How to tell your story with confidence Key Takeaway: You can tell the truth, and still be thoughtful about how you tell it. Next Steps: ✨ Learn how to write, publish, and promote a memoir that inspires, educates, and entertains. Learn all about my course, Make Memoir Magic ✨ Connect in the my free Facebook group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.  Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

    13 min

  6. MAR 11

    So You Want to Query your Memoir? Start Here

    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 memoir—even recent ones published in the last five yearsWhere to research agents who actually represent memoirTools and resources to streamline your querying processA gentle reality check on patience, rejection, and the memoir publishing journeyPlus, I give a peek inside Module 3 of my course, Make Memoir Magic, where I teach memoir writers how to position their stories in the marketplace and understand publishing paths. Whether you’re just finishing your manuscript or ready to send your first query, this episode is packed with insights to help you move from “I have a story” to “I have a story—and I know how to bring it into the world.” Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: Make Memoir Magic course – Learn more here: https://kerrykriseman.myflodesk.com/mmm3QueryTracker – https://querytracker.net/ Manuscript Wish List – https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/ Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/ Bookshop.org – https://bookshop.org/ Listener Takeaways: Comparative titles don’t have to match your memoir exactly—they just need to share a lane.Agents actively share what they’re looking for on websites, wishlists, and social platforms.Querying requires patience, research, and strategy—but it’s a skill you can learn.Every memoir has a reader, and your story deserves to reach them.Share the Episode: Know a writer in the querying trenches? Share this episode and help make the publishing journey a little easier for them. Follow & Subscribe: Don’t miss future episodes full of writing tips, publishing advice, and inspiration to help you write, publish, and promote your memoir. Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.  Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

    16 min

  7. MAR 3

    Why Your Memoir Feels Flat (And How to Fix It)

    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 examples and a practical exercise, Kerry shows you how to transform flat narration into vivid, cinematic storytelling. Your story deserves to be experienced — not just reported. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The difference between scene and summaryWhy summary often makes writing feel distant or flatHow scene invites readers to live the moment with youConcrete examples of summary rewritten as sceneA simple 4-question exercise to immediately strengthen your writingReady to Go Deeper? Join Kerry for her live three-week workshop with the Happy Women Dinners group: Stop Telling. Start Showing. Week 1 – April 2 What Makes a Scene? Moving from summary to story. Week 2 – April 9 Building Emotional Depth — sensory detail, dialogue, and interior life. Week 3 – April 16 Shaping and Polishing — structure, tension, and revision strategies. We’ll practice writing scenes in real time and build practical skills you can apply immediately. Early Bird Registration: $250 through March 5th After March 5th: $350 Register here: Stop Telling. Start Showing Join the Community Become part of Kerry’s free Facebook group: Join here: Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors Members are invited to weekly Memoir Magic Write-Ins every Wednesday from 10:30–11:00 a.m. (via Zoom): Brief greetingsA quick craft lesson and writing prompt20 minutes of focused writing togetherOptional sharing and encouragementIt’s a powerful way to build momentum and stay committed to your writing practice. Connect with Kerry Author of Accidental First Lady: On the Front Lines (and Behind the Scenes) of Local Politics Follow on Instagram Keep writing. Your story is valuable. It deserves to be told — and you are the best person to tell it. Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.  Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

    10 min

  8. FEB 24

    The Fear of Judgment: Writing Your Truth Anyway

    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 stops so many writersHow to identify when fear is controlling your storyTechniques to write honestly and courageouslyHow to start small, build trust in your voice, and grow confidenceCTAs: Join the Make Memoir Magic Facebook Group for community, feedback, and inspirationAttend a Memoir Magic Write-In to get live support while writingExplore free resources including writing prompts, exercises, and guides  “Fear of judgment is normal. But it doesn’t own your story. You do.” Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. To learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic, click here.  Join my free Facebook Group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where we honor your story, provide tips, create community, and help you write the story you were meant to tell. Join here!

    15 min
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About

The podcast where we unlock the power of your story and guide you through the magical process of turning life experiences into memoirs that inspire and impact. kerrykriseman.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Kerry Kriseman
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Making Memoir Magic
  • Show Website
    Making Memoir Magic

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