Making Memoir Magic
The podcast where we unlock the power of your story and guide you through the magical process of turning life experiences into memoirs that inspire and impact.
kerrykriseman.substack.com
kerrykriseman.substack.com
Episodes
34 episodes
So You Want to Query your Memoir? Start Here
Querying your memoir can feel intimidating. Not writing it. Not revising it. But sending that query letter to an agent and hoping they say yes? That’s the real challenge.In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, I walk memoir writ...
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16:15
Why Your Memoir Feels Flat (And How to Fix It)
If your memoir feels flat, the problem may not be your story — it may be how you’re telling it.In this mini-lesson, Kerry breaks down one of the most important craft distinctions in memoir writing: scene vs. summary. You’ll learn ...
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9:59
The Fear of Judgment: Writing Your Truth Anyway
Do you hesitate to write your memoir because of fear—of judgment, criticism, or misunderstanding? In this episode, Kerry explores why fear of judgment is natural, how it shows up in your writing, and practical strategies to write authentically ...
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15:07
Stop Overexplaining: How to Trust Your Story and Your Voice
Stop Overexplaining: How to Trust Your Story and Your Voice Do you overexplain your life in your memoir? Stop! In this episode, Kerry teaches aspiring writers how to trust their story and their voice, strip away unnecessary...
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12:50
The Myth of the Big Writing Retreat
What if the reason you haven’t started your book isn’t lack of talent—but waiting for perfect conditions?In this episode, Kerry busts the myth of the big writing retreat and reveals what actually gets books written: twenty minutes a day,...
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12:25
Why Your Story Matters - Especially Now
In this conversation, Kerry Kriseman emphasizes the significance of storytelling, especially during challenging times. She reassures listeners that their stories are valuable and necessary, serving as acts of resistance and courage. Kriseman di...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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11:07
Another Year Goes By. You Still Haven’t Written It. Let’s Talk About That
It’s already the third week of January, and if your memoir is still unwritten, you’re not alone. In this episode, Kerry Kriseman unpacks why so many memoir dreams get postponed and what it really takes to start writing in real life, not in a fa...
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17:17
The Real Reason You’re Not Writing Your Memoir (It’s Not Time or Talent)
If you’ve been telling yourself you’ll write your memoir when you have more time… more clarity… more confidence—this episode is for you.Today, we’re going one layer deeper than productivity tips and writing advice. We’re talking...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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17:14
What If My Story Isn't Big Enough (Why that belief is keeping you stuck)
Episode Description: Many aspiring memoir writers believe their story isn’t “big enough” to matter. In this episode, Kerry explores why that belief is the real obstacle—and how meaningful memoirs are built from everyday experiences, ...
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19:50
How to Write Faster Without Writing Garbage: The Power of Structure in Memoir
Writing faster doesn’t have to mean writing sloppier. In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, we’re talking about how memoir writers can write with more speed and more confidence—by putting a solid structure in place first.
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16:58
5 Ways to Move Your Memoir Forward This Week (Even During the Holidays)
If the calendar is screaming “December!” and your writing brain is whispering “Maybe next year…” — take a breath. This episode is your soft landing and your gentle-but-firm nudge forward.In just 13 minutes, I’m sharing ...
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14:46
Embrace the Mess: Why Imperfection Is Your Memoir Superpower
In today’s episode, Kerry pulls back the curtain on one of the biggest myths in memoir writing: the idea that great writers, great stories, and great authors are somehow… perfect. Spoiler alert—they’re not. And you don’t have to be either.&...
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16:31
Make Book Marketing Fun: How to Share Your Book Without Feeling Salesy
In This Episode: Today we’re talking about a subject that makes most authors want to hide under their writing desks - book marketing. But here’s the truth: marketing is not selling. It’s sharing. And it becomes joyful the moment you ...
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19:23
The Power of 20 Minutes
In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry Kriseman discusses the significance of establishing a consistent writing ritual, particularly a 20-minute writing routine that fits into busy lives. She emphasizes that writing doesn't need to domin...
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21:36
5 Microhabits to Adopt Before 2026
If you’ve spent 2025 saying, “I’ll start writing my memoir when life slows down,” this episode is your invitation to stop waiting and start writing.In this inspiring and practical episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry K...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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16:04
How to Write the First Page of Your Memoir
When it comes to memoir, where you begin is everything, and it’s almost never the beginning.In this episode of Making Memoir Magic, Kerry Kriseman helps aspiring authors move past the overwhelm that stops so many stories before ...
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13:31
How to Find the Starting Point for Your Memoir
Staring at a blank page and wondering, Where do I even begin my memoir? You’re not alone. Many aspiring authors feel overwhelmed when it comes to choosing the “right” opening for their story. Here’s the secret: memoirs don’t start at b...
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12:58
Is My Story Worth Telling
Do you ever wonder if your story is “special enough” for a memoir? In this episode, Kerry breaks down the five unmistakable signs you already have a book-worthy life story inside you. She shares practical strategies to help you uncover themes, ...
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13:59
Embracing Seasons of Change in Your Writing Life
Change is inevitable — in life and in writing. In this episode, I talk about the power of embracing new seasons and how you can use life’s natural transitions as fuel for your memoir. Whether you’re moving into retirement, stepping into a new r...
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13:25
Savor and Remember: Writing Memoir Through Food
Food is never just food—it’s memory, culture, and story. In this episode, Kerry shares how lemons, a community garden, and family recipes all become powerful starting points for memoir writing.You’ll discover:* Why food is one of ...
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17:36
Taylor Swift and the Art of Writing Your Own Story
Taylor Swift may be celebrating an engagement, but what she really deserves applause for is her storytelling superpower. Every album is a chapter, every lyric a scene—and she always defines her own narrative before anyone else can.In thi...
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13:32
More Than a Muffin
What if the secret to unlocking your life stories isn’t hiding in a dusty journal—but in your kitchen?In this episode, I take you into my grandmother’s kitchen for Nana Muffins, then into my own for a Thanksgiving turkey that’s been part...
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14:25
Why Writing Your Memoir Might Be the Most Generous Thing You Do
Episode Summary:This week, I stepped into a recording studio to narrate the audiobook version of my memoir, and I didn’t expect it to be so emotional.As I read each chapter, memories from my 22 years as a political spous...
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15:23