Replay: Susan Orlean shares the Five Things She's Learned about Writing a Memoir
Check out the first five minutes of her recent class.
“There is no such thing as writer’s block. Don’t ever say that, ever.”
“You’ve got to really, truly look in the mirror and say, I’ve had an interesting life—or I’ve had a tragic life, or I’ve had a dramatic life, or I’ve had a historically important life—and it’s worth writing about.”
“Nothing occurs in a vacuum…It’s a very important thing to be able to zoom in on your individual story and then zoom out and see the world at large.”
“Memoir is the single most fundamental form of communication. It’s sitting at a dinner table and telling a funny story about what happened to you, but just doing it at greater length.”
“I’m a hardcore believer in talking your stories out and reading your writing out loud. The most fundamental form of storytelling is oral—I think we don’t use that enough.
– Susan Orlean, Five Things I’ve Learned about Writing a Memoir
Last week, Susan Orlean joined Five Things I’ve Learned to share her journey of writing her forthcoming memoir and the key lessons she's learned along the way. Drawing from her extensive experience as a journalist and author, Susan detailed the techniques and insights that will help anyone looking to share their own personal history with the world.
Five Things I’ve Learned About Writing a Memoir offers a unique perspective on the process of writing about one’s own life. Susan shares the challenges she faced crafting her upcmoing memoir, Joy Ride, and addresses common questions that arise when writing a personal story. How do you dig into your memories to find meaningful material? How do you handle issues of privacy when writing about family and friends? And perhaps most importantly, how do you find the confidence to believe your story is worth telling?
As a staff writer for The New Yorker and the author of nine books, Susan has a wealth of experience in creative nonfiction. She’s written about everything from show dogs to the arson at the Los Angeles Public Library, and her memoirs and narratives have resonated deeply with readers. In her class, she delves into the techniques that can elevate a memoir, from deciding whether to write one in the first place, to handling the delicate balance of tone. Her advice is both practical and inspiring, with valuable takeaways for anyone considering writing a memoir or sharing personal stories.
Susan’s Joy Ride is set to be published in the fall of 2025, and it’s clear that the lessons she shares in her class will resonate with anyone looking to share their own unique journey.
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