Simple. Write a good memoir conclusion that teases what happens next.
In a recent post, I covered how to conclude a good non-fiction story or chapter, but memoirs are different. You’re telling a story that is real, that actually happened and you want to make sure your reader continues to the next part of it. Here, and in many other aspects of writing, you want to follow the fiction rule of ending every chapter in intrigue.
Intrigue in fiction is introducing the villain, having the wedding called off by the groom/bride, the rampage of a maniac ogre, or any other myriad of options. Intrigue in memoirs is a bit different, but does follow the same principles even if your story doesn’t feature a gigantic Stay Puff Marshmallow Man rampaging through NYC.
How do you include intrigue in a non-fiction story or memoir?
For each of your chapters, think about the central overarching theme of your book. Try to connect that theme in your chapter and more specifically in the conclusion of that chapter in some way. It’s subtle – don’t hit your readers over the head with the theme, but do include it so that each story connects to the next and not just in a timeline way. Some ways to do this:
Ask a question. If your story is about how falling off your bike on a steep trail made you afraid of heights, but your overarching theme is about facing your fears and your next chapter is about riding a rollercoaster, then the question could be: How was I going to get over my fear of heights if just climbing a ladder made me gasp for air? Simple. I’d ride a rollercoaster.
Create an arrival, rather than end the event you are sharing. Each chapter does not need to be a complete event in your life story. It could be a series of events, a foreshadowing of bad things to come, or simply setting up the big enlightening moment by sharing the small steps you took to get there. So, instead of wrapping up a specific day/month/event in your life, wrap up that event and then have someone or something arrive at the end of your chapter. This is a great way to get the reader to turn the page.
Create a mystery (similar to leaving the reader in a cliffhanger moment). End the chapter on a statement that doesn’t finish the story, but entices the reader to want to continue reading to finish the story. Eg: As I started the car on my way to Colorado, I consoled myself by saying, “What could possibly go wrong?” OR “I couldn’t begin to imagine what was going to happen next.”
Offer wisdom or the lesson you learned from the experience you shared in the chapter. This is not something you want to do at the end of every chapter, but ending a chapter with a bit of wisdom now and again is a great way to comment on what you learned and what you hope the reader learns from your book. And if its good wisdom, they’ll keep on reading!
And lastly, don’t overthink it! You’ll have plenty of time and feedback along the way to work on the conclusions to your chapters.