Making Memoir Magic

Kerry Kriseman

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. 1d ago

    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

    Your Memories Aren’t Your Memoir

  2. 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

    Finding the Real Story Hidden Inside Your Life

  3. 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

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

  4. 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

    Sometimes Travel Is a Rocking Chair

  5. 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

    Why Most People Never Finish Their Memoir

  6. Jul 9

    What Two Girls Selling Beads Taught Me About Writing a Memoir

    What does returning to an unfinished manuscript have in common with two young girls selling handmade bead animals from a tiny table on the side of the road? More than you might think. In this episode, I share a quiet moment from Fourth of July weekend that became an unexpected lesson about courage, creativity, and why memoir writers often overlook the stories already waiting for them. We’ll explore: * Why writing your second book can feel very different from writing your first. * The surprising connection between entrepreneurship and memoir. * How ordinary moments become meaningful stories. * Why curiosity is one of a memoir writer’s greatest tools. * A simple writing exercise to help you discover stories hidden in everyday life. If you’ve ever wondered whether your life is “interesting enough” to write about—or you’ve struggled to return to a manuscript after time away—this episode is for you. Writing Invitation Make a list of ten ordinary moments you’ve noticed recently. Choose one that continues to linger in your mind. Write about it for fifteen minutes, then ask yourself: Why did this moment stay with me? You might discover that your next chapter has been quietly waiting for you all along. 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

    What Two Girls Selling Beads Taught Me About Writing a Memoir

  7. Jul 2

    The Case Files of Ordinary Life

    This week, I found myself juggling roofing delays, flooring disputes, a package stranded in a warehouse, and a hole in my kitchen ceiling. None of it was life-threatening. All of it required persistence. Phone calls.Documentation.Follow-up emails.Advocating for ourselves in ways no one ever prepares us for. Somewhere in the middle of all of it, I realized that writing memoir asks something remarkably similar of us. As memoir writers, we often become reluctant advocates for our own stories. We dismiss memories as too ordinary.We assume no one would care.We deny our own claim before anyone else has the chance. In this episode, we’re talking about: * the hidden labor of ordinary life * why advocacy is a creative skill * the biggest lie memoir writers tell themselves * why ordinary moments are often the heart of great memoir * how to recognize the stories worth preserving Writing Prompt: Finish this sentence: “What exhausted me most wasn’t ________. It was ________.” You may discover the real story hiding underneath the obvious one. 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

    The Case Files of Ordinary Life

  8. Jun 24

    It's Never Too Late to Write Your Story

    Have you ever told yourself: “I’m too old to start.” “I should have done this years ago.” “Someone else is already doing it better.” If so, this episode is for you. As I approach my 58th birthday, I’m reflecting on the decade that changed me most. In my 50s, I published my first book, survived ovarian and uterine cancer, left a career that no longer fulfilled me, and stepped into a new identity as a memoir teacher and coach. None of those things happened because I finally felt ready. They happened because I stopped waiting for permission. In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, I’m sharing the personal experiences that taught me our stories do not expire with age. In fact, some of our most meaningful chapters are often waiting to be written. You’ll learn: * Why waiting for confidence often keeps us stuck * How life experiences become the foundation of powerful memoirs * Why it’s never too late to call yourself a writer * The surprising truth about becoming visible later in life Whether you’re 45, 65, or 85, your voice matters. Your stories matter. And the time to begin is now. Journal Prompt:What story, dream, or part of yourself have you been hiding because you think it’s too late? Write about the moment you first started believing that. 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

    It's Never Too Late to Write Your Story
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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
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kerry Kriseman
  • Show Website
    Making Memoir Magic