Is My Story Worth Telling? 5 Signs You Have a Memoir Waiting to Be Written

When I sat down to write my memoir, I asked myself the same question you might be asking: Is my story really worth telling?

I wasn’t famous. I didn’t have thousands of social media followers. My life looked ordinary from the outside—marriage, raising kids, career pivots, even a cancer diagnosis. But layered inside those experiences was something worth exploring: what it means to live as a political spouse for 22 years, how it shaped my identity, and how I eventually found my own voice.

At first, I thought, Who would care about my story? But here’s what surprised me: people did. My book found its way into the hands of men and women, students and retirees, even other politicians. Readers connected not because my life was glamorous, but because I was honest about my journey. And four years later, I’m still selling books and giving interviews.

That’s why I believe this so strongly: you don’t have to be rich, scandalous, or extraordinary for your story to matter. Readers don’t show up for perfection; they show up for humanity.

So how do you know if you have a memoir waiting to be written? Here are five signs.

1. You’ve Lived Through a Turning Point

Think back to moments that split your life into “before” and “after.” Divorce, illness, a move, a career change, loss, reinvention—these aren’t just events. They’re transformations. And transformation is the heartbeat of memoir.

Try this: Journal about who you were before that turning point and who you became after. The contrast is where the story lives.

2. People Say, “You Should Write a Book”

I used to laugh when people told me this, thinking they were just being polite. But when it happens over and over, take note. That usually means your story leaves an impression and resonates with people.

Try this: Jot down the stories you retell most often—the ones that get laughs, tears, or sighs. That’s memoir gold.

3. You’ve Gained Wisdom You Wish You Had Earlier

Memoir isn’t just about reliving the past—it’s about distilling the lessons you learned along the way. I often think about what I wish I’d known when I was younger, trying to balance my family’s needs with the demands of public life. Those lessons became a guiding thread in my book.

Try this: Ask yourself, What do I wish I knew five or ten years ago? That wisdom could form the backbone of a chapter.

4. A Story Won’t Leave You Alone

Some stories just won’t let go. They pop up in conversations, keep you awake at night, or tug at you when you least expect it. For me, it was the story of life in politics as a spouse—an experience that demanded to be written even when I resisted.

Try this: Freewrite for 10 minutes about the story that keeps resurfacing. Don’t edit. Just let it out.

5. You Want to Leave a Legacy

Not every memoir is meant for the bestseller list—and that’s okay. Some of the most powerful stories are written for children, grandchildren, or future generations. Writing a memoir allows you to preserve your values, lessons, and voice so they live beyond you.

Try this: Write down the values you most want your loved ones to carry with them. That list can become the heartbeat of your book.

Why Your Story Matters

If you saw yourself in even one of these signs, your story deserves to be told. Memoir is about connection, not perfection. Your readers will walk alongside you in your struggles and triumphs, and in doing so, they’ll see pieces of themselves reflected back.

Your story might be the lifeline someone else is waiting for. It might help a reader navigate illness, loss, reinvention, or identity. Or it might simply open a window into an experience they never lived themselves.

Either way, your voice matters.

A Next Step for You

If you’re wondering whether now is the time to start, I created a free quiz to help: Is My Story Worth Telling? It will give you instant clarity—and maybe even the gentle nudge you’ve been waiting for. Take the quiz here.

And if you’re ready to go deeper, my course Make Memoir Magic will guide you step by step through writing, publishing, and promoting your memoir. You can take it at your own pace or subscribe to receive one lesson a week straight to your inbox.

Writing my memoir changed my life. It helped me reclaim my voice and share it with readers who needed it. I believe the same is possible for you.

So let me leave you with this: your story isn’t just worth telling—it may be exactly the story someone else needs to hear.