Why You're Not Writing Your Memoir - and How to Finally Start
Every aspiring author has that story.
The one that follows you into the shower, taps you on the shoulder during meetings, and curls up beside you at night, whispering, “You should write me down.”
And yet, your story stays unwritten.
You're not alone. As a memoir coach who’s worked with hundreds of aspiring authors, I’ve seen the same three roadblocks pop up time and again. These are the invisible tripwires that keep you stuck in the idea phase instead of making progress on your memoir.
But the good news? Once you name the block, you can begin to dismantle it—and I’ve got a blueprint to help you do just that.
Let’s get into it.
1. You’re Overthinking It
Overthinking is the sneaky villain of every writing dream.
If you're anything like the aspiring authors I coach, you’ve probably asked yourself:
Where should I start?
What if I get the timeline wrong?
Should I use real names or change them?
What if Aunt Martha sues me?
Before you even write one sentence, you're suddenly deep into legal scenarios, publishing contracts, and imaginary one-star Amazon reviews.
This is classic overthinking. It masquerades as “being prepared,” but really, it's your fear wearing a business suit.
Here’s the truth: memoir writing doesn’t begin with a book deal, a publishing plan, or an air-tight outline. It begins with a scene. A memory. A moment that lives inside you like a splinter you can’t ignore.
Writing Tip: Start with the story you can’t stop thinking about. Write that scene without editing, without explaining, and without worrying about where it fits in the bigger picture. Your job is to capture truth, not perfect structure (yet).
2. You Don’t Have a Structure (Yet)
Let’s be real—writing a memoir without a roadmap is like driving cross-country without GPS. Sure, it’s possible. But expect a lot of U-turns, side roads, and that nagging sense of “Am I even going the right way?”
One of the biggest myths about memoir writing is that you just start at birth and write until the present day.
Nope.
Memoir is not an autobiography. It’s not everything that’s ever happened to you. It’s a story with a spine - a theme, a transformation, a central arc that guides the reader through your personal evolution.
Without structure, even the most compelling life story can feel like a string of journal entries instead of a powerful narrative.
Here’s the shift: You don’t need to be a trained author to find structure. You just need a clear framework.
That’s exactly what I teach in my Memoir Blueprint Webinar—how to shape your life story into a focused, emotionally resonant memoir that inspires, educates, and entertains. Want in? Join the free masterclass here..
3. You’re Drowning in Self-Doubt
This is the big one. The beast under the bed. The whisper that says:
Who do you think you are to write a book?
Your story isn’t unique enough.
You’re not a real writer.
Sound familiar?
Self-doubt is the universal block that keeps so many powerful, important stories locked inside the hearts of brilliant people—people just like you.
And here’s the real kicker: Self-doubt doesn’t disappear once you start writing. It just changes costumes. It becomes perfectionism. Procrastination. Comparison. The endless scroll instead of the morning pages.
But listen—every author you admire, every memoir you’ve devoured, was written by someone who once doubted they could do it.
Writing is not about confidence. Writing is about courage.
Inspiration for Aspiring Authors: You don’t need permission to tell your story. You just need a practice that helps you move through the doubt, one page at a time. You don’t have to believe in yourself yet. You just have to believe in the story that won’t let you go.
So, What’s the Solution?
If any (or all) of these blocks sound familiar—overthinking, lack of structure, self-doubt—you’re not broken. You’re a writer.
You just need a system.
And that’s exactly why I created the Memoir Blueprint Masterclass.
This free, 60-minute masterclass is designed for aspiring authors who are ready to stop spinning their wheels and start writing with clarity, confidence, and a sense of direction.
Inside the Memoir Blueprint, I’ll show you:
The exact framework that helps memoirs go from messy to meaningful
How to organize your story without losing the heart of it
How to identify your memoir’s theme (and why that matters more than you think)
Simple writing tips to build momentum—even if you only have 15 minutes a day
How to finally start—without second-guessing every word
If you’re an aspiring author who’s been stuck, stalled, or secretly scared to begin, this webinar is your warm invitation to take the next brave step.
Join the Free Memoir Blueprint Masterclass
Spots are limited—save your seat now and take the first step toward becoming the author of your own story.
Final Word: Your Story Matters
Memoir is more than just writing about your life. It’s choosing to make meaning out of your experiences and offer that meaning to others.
And someone out there needs your story—not someday, but now.
Not when you have more time. Not when you feel more confident. Not when your story feels "finished."
Start messy. Start scared. But for the love of all things literary, start.
Because when you do, you stop carrying the weight of an untold story—and start stepping into your power as a writer, an author, and a courageous human with something to say.
Let’s get that memoir written. I’ll show you how.