Crafting Meaningful Memoirs: The Power of Recurring Themes + Book Club Update

The Magic of Repeating Themes

While I was looking through old book club questions and notes, I was reminded of how much I loved Wild Game by Adrienne Brodeur. It had it all: beautiful writing, a story as captivating as any fiction, stunning imagery, and complex characters.

She excelled at weaving in recurring references to things that happened earlier in the story, for example how her mother’s necklace meant different things to her at different points in the story and her life.

Have you ever noticed that when you encounter a reference or callback to something from earlier in a book, it’s like a little endorphin rush for your reader’s brain? These echoes, when strategically placed, can create a profound sense of connection and cohesion in your memoir.

Last night, Davy (Follow her blog Love In My Belly here) read a beautiful piece about her childhood in our Speaking Your Stories session which started out with making wishes over dandelion clocks and then going into a darker portion of her childhood, and closing with watching snow fall while her mother cooked for her. In that snowfall, I saw those dandelion clocks and suggested bringing them back into her story there. She hadn’t thought about the comparison but loved the idea. Often we don’t see these themes ourselves, but they become apparent when we share them with others.

Just as in life, where certain themes or symbols may reappear in different phases, your memoir can benefit from this repetition. It can be a cherished object, a significant place, a recurring emotion, or a pivotal moment. When these elements resurface, they not only serve as signposts guiding your reader through the narrative but also evoke a powerful sense of nostalgia and recognition.

Here’s how you can harness this literary technique in your memoir writing:

1. Choose Your Echoes: Identify key elements or themes that hold emotional weight in your story. These could be a childhood keepsake, a recurring relationship pattern, or a place of personal significance.
2. Strategic Placement: Introduce these elements early in your memoir and then strategically bring them back at pivotal moments. They can serve as a thread connecting different chapters of your life.
3. Emotional Resonance: As you revisit these echoes, allow the emotions associated with them to evolve. This creates a layered experience for your readers, mirroring the complexity of memory and personal growth.
4. Symbolism and Reflection: Explore the symbolic value of these repeating themes. What do they represent in the context of your life’s journey? Reflect on how they’ve evolved or remained constant.

By skillfully using this technique, you not only engage your readers on a deeper level but also emphasize the significance of these elements in your life. It’s a subtle yet potent way to infuse your memoir with a sense of unity and meaning.

As you continue your writing journey, experiment with the power of echoes. Notice how they transform your narrative and evoke a delightful sense of recognition in your readers.

If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences with this technique, please reach out. I’m here to support your growth as a memoirist.

Warm regards,

Christina

Memoir Mentors
xtina.howell@memoirmentors.com