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Your Life is Your Story, Issue #228 – Heart and Soul of Memoir September 29, 2025 |
| Greetings "Your past is your story up to now. The future is the story yet to come. The present is where you live with that experience, your hopes and your dreams." 
Your Life is Your Story Newsletter September 29, 2025 Your Life is Your Story, Issue #228 – Heart and Soul of Memoir From Tom Gilbert – Editor and Writer, www.your-life-your-story.com In this Issue: Opening remarks: National Coffee Day Featured Article – Finding the Heart and Soul of Your Memoir Featured Resource – Audivita Opening Remarks: National Coffee DayMan, I love a good cup of joe. So let’s hear it for today, September 29, 2025, National Coffee Day! Throughout every calendar year there are days dedicated to all sorts of things. It can be fun to put a focus on a particular day. We only live one day at a time so why not find some things to celebrate about each one. As for coffee drinkers, well I am not one of those snobbish and super picky “got to have it just this way” java drinkers. But I do like a good cup. I admit it–coffee gets me going. I probably drink more than I should, but hey, I have far fewer vices than I did in my youth. So if you want to know more about National Coffee day visit the link and check out the freebies that are percolating (sorry, not sorry, for the pun). Thank you so much for being part of the Your Life Is Your Story community. Thanks to all our subscribers. I hope you enjoy this month’s issue. You are receiving this e-zine because you signed up for it or someone who is subscribed passed it along to you. If a friend DID forward this to you consider subscribing by visiting our signup page . Also, let me know what you’d like to see more of in this newsletter – simply reply to this email e-zine. – Tom Featured Article: Finding the Heart and Soul of Your Memoir
When I read a memoir, one of the things I hope to take away from their story is the universal truths it contains. I also want the author to give me an honest explanation of their personal journey. Finding the heart and soul of your memoir requires some inner work. I’ve written about this topic in previous articles, including Heart of Your Story, The Life Story Relatability Factor and Language of the Heart. If you are attempting to Finding the Heart and Soul of Your Memoir then spending a fair amount of time in reflection is important. And it is helpful to bounce some of your reflection off a trusted friend, fellow writer or life story coach. Memoir writing presents a number of challenges. How willing are you to be honest and open about your life? What are the universal truths in your story that others will relate to? Who are the people, the characters in your story, and what part do they play? Can you write about them in a way that is descriptive and interesting? The heart and soul of memoir writing lives where your private truth meets a universal truth. We read a memoir hoping for an honest explanation of a personal journey. We keep turning pages when that journey reflects something we also know—love, loss, courage, change. Your story can do that. The heart and soul of your memoir should be highly engaging to the reader. Most people enjoy good storytelling and when it is the part of your life that you feel passionate about and willing to share then make sure it’s not boring, over-explaining, preachy or boastful. But do tell us about the triumphs, failures and learning experiences. Read more articles at here. Featured Resource: AudivitaMore and more people are turning their memoirs or personal histories into an audiobook. Let’s face it, a lot of people don’t have the time or inclination to sit with a book and read it (although I still love doing that). But people will listen while doing other things like walking, driving, chores and so on.Turning a book into an audiobook requires some know-how and if you want to do it right then more than likely you will need the help of professionals. I’ve recently been working with Audivita as they create an audiobook for a memoir I ghost-wrote. I investigated them after some recommendations from a publisher and a few other authors. They did really great work with the recording process and they are both proficient and enjoyable to work with. You can investigate them and see if they are a good fit for your project by visiting their site, at Audivita Audiobooks. Closing InformationThat’s it for this month’s issue. Thanks for reading. Here’s to telling your story. Do give it some serious consideration because I just know you’ve got a great story to tell! Be sure to see the Get Started section.Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think! Until next time, – keep your story alive! Tom Gilbert |
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