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

1d ago

Follow the Garlic

What if the story worth telling isn’t buried in the most dramatic chapter of your life? What if it’s waiting inside a familiar restaurant, a family tradition, or a place you’ve returned to for years? In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, I share the story of Al Dente, a restaurant in Boston’s North End that my husband, Rick, and I first discovered in 1994. What began as an unplanned dinner became part of our family history—a place we later shared with our children, friends, and colleagues. Using this ordinary but meaningful memory, I explore how memoir writers can uncover the deeper stories hiding inside everyday experiences. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why specific details make personal stories more relatable * How familiar places can unlock meaningful memories * How to use “then and now” scenes to show the passage of time * The difference between what happened and what a story is really about * Why readers often connect most deeply with ordinary moments * How scene and reflection work together in memoir Try this writing exercise: Choose a place that appeared during more than one season of your life. First, write about your earliest memory of that place. Who was with you? What did you notice? What could you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch? Then describe the place during your most recent visit. What changed? What remained the same? What do you understand now that you couldn’t have understood then? Finally, complete this sentence: This isn’t really a story about __________. It’s a story about __________. The first answer identifies the visible subject. The second may reveal the deeper story—and possibly a theme that belongs in your memoir. Ready to begin the memoir only you can write? My signature course, Make Memoir Magic, will help you move from wondering where to start to identifying your core story, creating an outline, beginning your first chapter, and developing a sustainable writing practice. Learn more about Make Memoir Magic:https://kerrykriseman.myflodesk.com/mmm3 Visit my website for memoir resources, workshops, and ways to work with me: https://kerrykriseman.com If this episode helped you recognize a story hiding in your own life, please follow Making Memoir Magic, share the episode with an aspiring memoirist, and leave a review. A final thought for anyone carrying a story they’ve always wanted to tell: You don’t have to have a perfect outline, a dramatic life story, or years of writing experience to begin a memoir. You simply need curiosity about the moments that shaped you. If you’re exploring your own story, I invite you to join my free Facebook group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where I share memoir writing insights, prompts, and encouragement for writers at every stage of the journey. Your life has chapters worth preserving. The only question is whether you’re ready to start turning the pages. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kerrykriseman.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 27

The Stories Hiding in Plain Sight

What turns a memory into memoir? In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry shares the story of her grandmother Nana’s unusual collection of dated “I Voted” stickers—and how something the family once lovingly teased her about took on an entirely different meaning years later. The lesson? The memory is what happened. The memoir is what you understand about what happened. Kerry explores how present-day reflection adds depth to memoir and why some of our smallest, most ordinary memories can reveal the biggest themes in our lives. In this episode: * The important difference between memory and memoir * Why your younger self and present-day narrator bring different perspectives to the page * The Then, Now, Meaning method for finding deeper significance in a memory * How to use ordinary objects as doorways into larger stories * Why you don’t need extraordinary experiences to write meaningful memoir * How family stories can become part of the legacy you preserve * A simple 15-minute writing exercise to uncover the meaning inside one of your own memories Try This Writing Exercise Choose one ordinary object or small memory from your past and write from these three sentence starters: I remember... I didn’t understand then... Now I know... Don’t force the meaning. Follow your curiosity and see where the memory takes you. This Week’s Essay This episode was inspired by Kerry’s Life Lived & Written essay, “What It Really Means to Leave a Legacy With Your Words,” about voting, voice, family stories, and her grandmother’s unforgettable “I Voted” shrine. One Thought to Take With You Enter through the small door. The object, habit, phrase, recipe, photograph, or seemingly insignificant memory may be the doorway into one of the biggest themes in 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! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kerrykriseman.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 20

You Haven't Missed Your Chance to Write Your Memoir

Have you been thinking about writing your memoir for years—but wondering whether you’ve waited too long? You haven’t. In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry Kriseman explores why time may actually give memoir writers something they didn’t have when they were younger: perspective. Inspired by her recent Stories of Humanity interview, where she shared the words “It’s never too late,” Kerry reflects on some of the biggest changes of her own 50s: publishing her first memoir, beginning a new career as a memoir teacher and coach, surviving two forms of cancer, and becoming an advocate for ovarian cancer awareness. But this episode isn’t only for writers over 50. It’s for anyone who has lived through an experience and reached the point where they’re beginning to understand it differently. Because memoir isn’t simply about remembering what happened. The event is what happened. The memoir is what you now understand about what happened. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: * Why you don’t need to be famous or have lived an extraordinary life to write a meaningful memoir * Why ordinary doesn’t mean insignificant * How time and distance can give you valuable perspective on your experiences * The difference between recording what happened and discovering what it meant * Why “Who am I to write this?” is the wrong question * How to recognize experiences that may belong in your memoir * Why “someday” can keep aspiring authors from ever beginning * Three questions to help you move from thinking about writing your memoir to actually starting Three Questions to Help You Find Your Story If you’ve been wondering what your memoir might actually be about, spend some time with these: 1. What experience from my life do I understand differently now than I did while I was living it? 2. What story do I keep returning to? Pay attention to the memories that refuse to leave you alone. 3. If someone saw herself in my story, what would I hope she understood? You don’t need to have your entire memoir figured out before you begin. You need a place to start. Ready to Go From “Someday” to “I’m Writing It”? Believing your story matters is one thing. Knowing how to turn your experiences into a memoir—with a central story, structure, scenes, voice, vulnerability, and forward momentum—is something else. That’s why Kerry created Make Memoir Magic, her course for aspiring memoir writers who are ready to stop saying, “Someday I’m going to write my memoir,” and start saying: “I’m writing it.” Because you are not behind. Your age isn’t evidence that you’ve missed your chance. The years you’ve lived may be precisely what gives you something worth saying. It’s never too late to become visible, use your voice, and write the memoir only you can write. Connect With Kerry Learn more about Kerry’s memoir writing resources, workshops, courses, and community. A final thought for anyone carrying a story they’ve always wanted to tell: You don’t have to have a perfect outline, a dramatic life story, or years of writing experience to begin a memoir. You simply need curiosity about the moments that shaped you. If you’re exploring your own story, I invite you to join my free Facebook group, Memoir Magic for Aspiring Authors, where I share memoir writing insights, prompts, and encouragement for writers at every stage of the journey. Your life has chapters worth preserving. The only question is whether you’re ready to start turning the pages. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kerrykriseman.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 13

Your Memories Aren’t Your Memoir

What if the story you would have written ten years ago isn’t the story you’re ready to write today? In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, I’m talking about the dog days of summer—and one very special dog who has me thinking about endings, beginnings, family, and the way our understanding of our own stories changes over time. Betty is the 16th guide dog puppy we’ve raised for Dogs Inc. We loved her, raised her, prepared her for what came next…and eventually said goodbye. We thought we knew how that story ended. Then Betty came home. Now, for the first time, we’re officially a three-dog household—and I’m looking at Betty’s story from an entirely different season of my life. That’s one of the gifts of memoir: the facts of our stories may not change, but we do. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why an event from your life isn’t necessarily the story * How distance and perspective can reveal deeper meaning * The difference between the person who experienced something and the narrator who writes about it years later * Why family stories can hold two seemingly contradictory truths at once * A simple exercise for discovering how your understanding of a memory has changed * The question that can help you move from “Here’s what happened” to “Here’s what this experience means” Try This Choose one experience from your past and ask yourself: What did I believe about this while I was living it? Then ask: What do I understand about it today that I couldn’t understand then? Finally: What is this story really about? You might discover that the story underneath the memory is the one you’ve been trying to find all along. Ready to Find the Story Inside Your Life? If you have years of memories but aren’t sure how to shape them into a memoir, I’d love to help. The next live cohort of Make Memoir Magic begins in September. Over four weeks, I’ll help you move from “I have all these stories” to “I know the story I’m trying to tell.” We’ll work on finding the heart of your memoir, shaping your story, developing scenes and voice, creating a sustainable writing practice, and moving forward with greater clarity and confidence. Join the Make Memoir Magic waitlist by clicking here. Connect With Me Learn more about working with me by clicking here. And remember: You probably don’t need more stories. You’ve lived plenty of them. The work now is discovering which story you’re really trying to tell. Thank you for listening to this episode of Making Memoir Magic. Click here to learn more about my course, Make Memoir Magic. 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. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kerrykriseman.substack.com/subscribe
Aug 6

Finding the Real Story Hidden Inside Your Life

Have you ever thought about writing a memoir but wondered, “Is my story really interesting enough?” You’re not alone. Many aspiring memoir writers don’t struggle because they lack stories. They struggle because they haven’t yet discovered the deeper story hiding beneath their memories. In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry Kriseman explores why finding the heart of your memoir is the first—and often most important—step in transforming your life experiences into a meaningful book. Drawing from her own journey writing Accidental First Lady: On the Front Lines (and Behind the Scenes) of Local Politics, Kerry shares how she discovered that her memoir wasn’t truly about politics. It was about identity, resilience, and finding her own voice. She also explains why so many writers get stuck trying to capture every memory instead of uncovering the meaning behind those moments. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why your memoir is not simply a collection of memories * The difference between the events of your life and the deeper story beneath them * Why many aspiring authors believe their stories aren’t “important enough” * How to identify the themes, questions, and transformations that can shape your memoir * The questions you can ask yourself to begin uncovering your own story * Why clarity comes before writing—and how finding your story makes the writing process easier If you’ve been carrying a story inside you but don’t know where to begin, this episode will help you see your memories differently. Your life is filled with moments. Your memoir begins when you discover what those moments mean. Ready to uncover the story hidden inside your life? Learn more about Make Memoir Magic, Kerry’s step-by-step memoir writing course, at: www.kerrykriseman.com About Kerry Kriseman Kerry Kriseman is an author, memoir instructor, speaker, and storytelling advocate who helps aspiring authors transform their life experiences into meaningful memoirs. She is the author of Accidental First Lady: On the Front Lines (and Behind the Scenes) of Local Politics, a memoir about public life, identity, resilience, family, and finding your own voice. With more than 30 years of writing and communications experience, including a career as a journalist and communications professional, Kerry teaches writers how to uncover their unique stories, structure compelling memoirs, and share their experiences with honesty and heart. Through her online course Make Memoir Magic, workshops, and coaching programs, Kerry guides writers from “I have a story, but I don’t know where to begin” to confidently creating a memoir they’re proud to share. Learn more at: www.kerrykriseman.com 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! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kerrykriseman.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 30

Why Memoir Writers Need to Stop Predicting the Impact of Their Words

What if you’re asking the wrong question about your memoir? Many memoir writers wonder: Is my story important enough? Will anyone care? Will anyone relate? Does anyone need to hear this? In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry shares three unexpected reminders she received in a single day about the power of words—and the impact our stories can have in ways we may never anticipate. A client reminded her that being listened to and heard is a gift. A reader shared what Kerry’s memoir, Accidental First Lady, meant to her. And a longtime reader of Kerry’s newsletter took the time to write a letter explaining how one of her essays had impacted people beyond her own inbox. These moments led Kerry to a powerful lesson for memoir writers: You are not responsible for predicting who needs your story. You are responsible for telling it honestly. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why memoir writers often get stuck asking whether their story is “important enough” * Why you can’t predict exactly who will connect with your story * How a reader’s experience becomes part of the meaning of a memoir * The question to ask instead of “Will anyone care?” * Why your story may matter to someone for a reason you never anticipated * A simple writing exercise to help you move past self-doubt and begin writing the story you’ve been dismissing A Writing Prompt from This Episode Think of one story you’ve been hesitating to write. Complete these sentences: I want to write this story because... The part I’m most afraid to share is... Someone who reads this might recognize... You don’t have to know exactly who needs your story. You just have to be willing to tell it. If you’ve been wondering whether your story is important enough to write, this episode is for you. Because the story you keep dismissing as too ordinary, too personal, or too insignificant may be exactly the story someone else needs to hear. Keep writing the stories only you can tell. 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! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kerrykriseman.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 23

Sometimes Travel Is a Rocking Chair

What counts as an adventure? Sometimes, it means getting on a plane and exploring somewhere new. And sometimes, it means sitting on the front porch of a downtown St. Pete hotel with a friend you’ve known for more than 20 years. In this episode, I share the story of a hot oat-milk latte, a cold—and often pink—tea, two rocking chairs, and a Florida thunderstorm that arrived like a marching band. A few lightning strikes were a little too close for comfort. But the breeze was cool, the humidity finally gave us a break, and we kept rocking, talking, and laughing. As our conversation moved from raising young children to retirement, new goals, new projects, and bucket-list trips, I found myself thinking about how our definition of adventure changes as we move through life. And how the moments that become meaningful stories aren’t always dramatic. Sometimes, they’re the ordinary moments we almost overlook. In this episode, we explore: * Why travel and adventure don’t always require a plane ticket * How our definition of freedom can change as we move through life * Why small, sensory details can transform an ordinary memory into a story * How to recognize the memoir moments hiding in everyday life * Why you don’t need a dramatic life event to write meaningful memoir * The question every memoir writer should ask: Why does this moment matter to me now? Your memoir may be hiding in the moments you think are too ordinary to write about, and if you want help finding your own memoir moments, join my free Memoir in Minutes 5-Day Challenge. Each day, you’ll receive a simple writing prompt designed to help you capture meaningful moments from your life—without overthinking or staring at a blank page. Five days. Five small moments. And the beginning of discovering just how much story you already carry. Join the free Memoir in Minutes 5-Day Challenge Making Memoir Magic is hosted by Kerry Kriseman, author, memoir mentor, and storytelling champion. Each episode explores the art of finding, writing, publishing, and sharing the stories that make us who we are. 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! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kerrykriseman.substack.com/subscribe
Jul 15

Why Most People Never Finish Their Memoir

Maybe you’ve filled notebooks with memories, written a few chapters, or spent years saying, “I’ll get back to it someday.” You’re not alone. In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry Kriseman explores the real reasons so many memoirs remain unfinished—and why those reasons have very little to do with talent or discipline. You’ll discover: * Why writing “your whole life story” is keeping you stuck * The surprising difference between a life story and a memoir * How fear of judgment can quietly stop your progress * Why consistency matters more than inspiration * The power of writing with support instead of struggling alone Whether you’re just beginning or you’ve been carrying an unfinished manuscript for years, this episode will help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Resources Mentioned ✨ Take the free quiz: What’s Your Memoir Roadblock? ✨ Join the waitlist for the September Make Memoir Magic cohort and be the first to hear when enrollment opens. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who has a story waiting to be written. Because your story matters. 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! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kerrykriseman.substack.com/subscribe

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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

Creator

Kerry Kriseman
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

53
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Making Memoir Magic

Making Memoir Magic

Episodes

Follow the Garlic

The Stories Hiding in Plain Sight

You Haven't Missed Your Chance to Write Your Memoir

Your Memories Aren’t Your Memoir

Finding the Real Story Hidden Inside Your Life

Why Memoir Writers Need to Stop Predicting the Impact of Their Words

Sometimes Travel Is a Rocking Chair

Why Most People Never Finish Their Memoir

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