Under Construction - MHWA Retreat

Some people argue that memoirs are self-indulgent and exploitative. Do you agree or disagree with those people? Why?

It depends on the author. A significant indicator that a memoir is self-indulgent and exploitative is that the author glorifies him/herself in the text and writes as if the world revolves around him/her. I doubt that appears commonly, though. If the tone of a memoir is ever in this nature, the presence of such narcissism is nuanced to a point where it's not apparent. I think it helps to research the author and his/her background, especially from sources not written by that author.

.Would you ever consider writing a memoir based on your life? Why or why not? What would you include or exclude?

Despite thriving to be a fiction writer, I would very much like to write a memoir one day. Ever since I joined this group, I've had plenty of chances to write about myself and my own life, which I find a fun and engaging way to express myself. While I can see a lot of my memoirs accounting my past experiences in high school and my first semester of college, I definitely would want to avoid writing about some people. There are people from those times in my life that I have very choice comments I'd like to say about them, but I'd get in trouble if they found out I wrote such nasty things about them.

Have you ever read any memoirs? If so, which ones have been your favorites? Are there any memoirs on your to-read list?

The only memoir I've read is It Gets Worse by Shane Dawson, and I didn't even finish the book. At least, that's the only one I can remember off the top of my head; I also read one for school during my senior year, but I forget the title. I know it was about a man who learned to appreciate life after getting diagnosed with cancer. I want to read some memoirs from drag queens and other YouTubers; I find these people and what they do very inspiring and want to know more about their success stories.