William Zinsser's How To Write A Memoir

William Zinsser gives specific instructions in “How to Write a Memoir”. He tells you to, ”Be Yourself,” “Speak Freely,” and, “Tell Your Own Story”. This tells writers to tell the whole story through the good and the bad. ”Popular” by Maya Van Wagenen, uses his advice by using her point of view, using small memories from the past, and true storytelling. In William Zinsser’s, “How to Write a Memoir” he states that the writer should “Be Yourself”. In “Popular”, Maya states “For now, Betty Cornell has become my new soul mate, and I am married to every word. For better or worse.” (page 14) This means she is being herself. Every chapter is about Maya following Betty’s advice. We read about what she saw, heard, and felt emotionally in all chapters.

Just like in chapter 5 stating ”Last night somehow managed to break a framed picture of Jesus and was playing in the sharp fragments. There was blood all over.” And, “Imagine Jesus looking out at you through splinters of wood, broken glass, and smears of your little sister’s blood.”(page 103)She is saying this, even though her little sister might be mad. She writes truthfully about her life and memories. Finally, Maya Wagenen follows Zinsser’s advice, “Think Small”. Maya does this by telling small memories of her childhood and life. This is shown in chapter 5 stating;”…I spent a whole summer with a fiery red zit in the middle of my forehead.” She is telling a small memory instead of the whole