Writing Memoir Leads Grabbing the reader’s attention with an interesting opening
Types of Leads ~ Descriptive leads ~ These ‘set’ the scene by painting a picture in the reader’s mind. “The doorman of the Kilmarnock was six foot two. He wore a pale blue uniform, and white gloves made his hands look enormous. He opened the door of the yellow taxi as gently as an old maid stroking a cat. ” --Raymond Chandler
Suspense Leads Suspense leads create curiosity in the reader’s mind and leave them wondering what will happen next. “Suddenly everything stops. ” --Alison James “You must not tell anyone, ” my mother said, “what I am about to tell you. ” --The Woman Warrior “Every so often that dead dog dreams me up again. ” --Stephanie Vaughn
Question Leads Question leads immediately draw the reader into the memoir, inviting the reader to ponder the events that lie ahead. “Why on earth had she shown up after ten long years, and what was that expression of fury on her face? ” “If I had a crystal ball to predict my day ahead, would I have done anything differently? ”
Leads that introduce the narrator ‘Narrator’ leads introduce the reader to the narrator, acquainting the reader with the main character in the memoir. “The name my family calls me is Morning Girl, because I wake up early always with something on my mind. ” --Michael Dorris
Conflict Leads Conflict leads present the central conflict to the reader for immediate consideration. “At the age of six, our family was faced with a beast of a threat that would proceed to tear us apart, piece by piece. ”
Thematic Leads Thematic leads hint to the reader at the ‘life’ lesson that the memoir will teach. “I was six years old when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength. ” --Amy Tan
Writing Closing Lines Create a final mood for your reader with a thoughtful closing line
Closing Lines Closing lines can be poignant, cliff hangers, melancholy, optimistic, open ended, nostalgic. They can cause the reader to ponder the future, reflect upon the past, walk away with optimism and a sense of finality or defeat and tension.
From “The 100 Best Closing Lines from Books” "So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past. “ -The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald “After all, tomorrow is another day. “ -Gone with the Wind, Margaret Mitchell “But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest a little boy and his Bear will always be playing. ” -The House At Pooh Corner, A. A. Milne “He is coming, and I am here. “ -The Time Traveler's Wife, Audrey Niffenegger “In the meantime, she would just live. “ -P. S. I Love You, Cecelia Ahern
Closing Lines cont. “He loved Big Brother. “ -1984, George Orwell “Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this. “ -Little Women, Louisa May Alcott “A LAST NOTE FROM YOUR NARRATOR. I am haunted by humans. “ -The Book Thief, Markus Zusak “The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well. “ -Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J. K. Rowling “Are there any questions? “ -The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood "I ran with the wind blowing in my face, and a smile as wide as the valley of Panjsher on my lips. I ran. “ -The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini
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