Many people are interested in writing their life stories, though lack of confidence and knowing how to approach the task can hold them back. This guide might be the confidence booster to get started, to overcome a hurdle along the way, or act as a refresher.

Along with a focus on major principles of memoir, such as narrative writing, ethics and structure, this guide provides tips and writing techniques aimed at creating an engaging true story out of the remembered facts of a life. Embedded throughout the guide are suggested writing exercises which provide structured but flexible support to a writer, whether novice or more advanced.

Surprisingly comprehensive given its brevity, A Pocket Guide to Memoir Writing may either stand alone, or act as a companion to the memoir, In Life There is Luck: A memoir of an ordinary life with reflections on memoir writing.