Blog | The Memoir Revolution

Unwrapping the gift of birth somewhere toward the end

Jerry Waxler — Fri, 08 May 2026 10:58:10 +0000

If she shares the sorrow of her situation in some places, even misery, I’m okay with that. Because I expect her to follow the genre’s premise: that as she strives to cope with her situation, she will find kernels of truth, and even joy.

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The New Social Etiquette

Jerry Waxler — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:26:45 +0000

A newcomer to the memoir genre might wonder why so many stories relate to loss, grief, dysfunctional relationships and other topics most of us would rather avoid. In ordinary conversation, we rarely open a window into our personal lives. Mentioning past pain is definitely out of bounds. So, when asked how we’re doing, we just […]

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The Journey of Ethnic Identity in America

Jerry Waxler — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:28:08 +0000

I once met a woman in my cultural diversity program who, when asked the origins of her ancestry, said she had no idea. It was the first time it occurred to me that an adult could not know their own ethnic identity. My First Ethnic Identity When I grew up in the fifties, Philadelphia was […]

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Siblings disagree: family feuds in memoirs

Jerry Waxler — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 12:49:29 +0000

When I hear the word “siblings,” I picture kids riding bikes together, playing games, and watching each other’s backs. In that pleasant fantasy, these children grow up to be allies. In real life, though, adult siblings are not always best friends. In fact, disputes among siblings go all the way back to the Garden of […]

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How memoirs enhance emotional intelligence (EQ)

Jerry Waxler — Thu, 23 May 2024 12:51:00 +0000

When I was younger, anytime someone expressed an emotion I felt offended. “Why are they bothering me with what they are feeling?” During that period my lack of interest in feelings led me to reading science fiction. The focus on problem solving and adventure enabled me to stay aloof from the complexities of emotional life. […]

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Crafting your memoir restores meaning after loss

Jerry Waxler — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 12:21:21 +0000

No matter how hard we try to push down old pains, they sometimes climb out of their graves like zombies. Some people try to drown their memories, pretending not to notice that the alcohol makes their pain stronger. Some lose themselves in work, which is good for the paycheck but not so good for the […]

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The Memoirist’s Manifesto: Savor it all!

Jerry Waxler — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 16:43:39 +0000

To get the most out of life, don’t let that sweet sunset or that baby’s smile slide by. Your job as an aware human being is to appreciate every moment. Allowing yourself to fully absorb the present is touted by Buddhists, hippies, and poets. It is also promoted by positive psychologists who say that savoring […]

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The Feminine Viewpoint in Memoirs

Jerry Waxler — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 17:19:45 +0000

The feminine version of romance is perhaps one of the most profound differences between the genders. And as a male, I've been outside looking in - until now.

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The Genius of an Uplifting Memoir Conclusion

Jerry Waxler — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:07:47 +0000

This Is How I Save My Life: From California to India, a True Story of Finding Everything When You Are Willing to Try Anything by Amy B. Scher At the beginning of Amy Scher’s memoir, This is How I save My Life, she is riddled with pain, weakened in every muscle of her body. Her […]

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Should you include romance in your memoir?

Jerry Waxler — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 13:51:46 +0000

The process of getting together with a romantic partner is so psychologically complex, and so fraught with pitfalls and doubts, it makes perfect raw material for a memoir. Then why have I seen so few bestsellers centered on this theme? Perhaps the subject has been so over-reported in fiction that some memoir authors might fear […]

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