Page Holder: Exploring Opening Scenes That Might Pull Us In

RITEMEPAGE WORK

The First Page of a Memoir Might Function as a Page Holder

What draws us to the author's world is a compelling beginning. Our expectations for a narrative’s trajectory is set at the very start of the story. So how can our page hold the reader from the very start?

We could experiment with starting like Tara Westover in Educated, with a vivid description of a unique environment, immediately immersing readers. Or, we might try beginning with a line like, “My strongest memory is not a memory,” to establish a tone of reflection and mystery, potentially compelling readers to turn the page.

Similarly, we could consider starting like Trevor Noah in Born a Crime, catapulting readers into a dramatic situation with a humorous yet sobering anecdote. This might encapsulate our memoir’s themes of survival, resilience, and love.

Page Holder: How The End Holds the Page

Our memoir’s ending might serve as its final page holder, potentially leaving readers with something to reflect upon. A successful conclusion ties up loose ends without feeling overly neat, offering resolution while preserving the complexity of real life.

We might experiment with endings like Cheryl Strayed’s in Wild, where the ending reflects the author's dedicated wrapping up of anticipated events. Or, we could try ending with a line that encapsulates our memoir’s themes of acceptance and growth.

Consider Jeannette Walls’ approach in The Glass Castle, ending with a family gathering that reconciles their turbulent past. Without diminishing their hardships, Walls reveals how the family navigates their entanglements, inviting readers into the complexities of their relationships.

Page Holder: Using Themes to Potentially Frame Our Narratives

We might explore framing our entire narrative with a thematic page holder, starting and ending with a unified motif.

Consider starting like Frank McCourt in Angela’s Ashes, immediately setting the stage for a story of hardship with a powerful opening line. The memoir could then close with a reflection on a journey from despair to self-discovery.

Or, try a technique similar to Michelle Obama in Becoming, tying personal growth to broader themes of identity and purpose with a recurring motif like “becoming.”

Page Holder: Potentially Crafting Emotional Resonance

To potentially create an impactful beginning and ending, we might experiment with emotional resonance. This could involve crafting scenes or reflections that evoke strong feelings.

For example, we could start like Paul Kalanithi in When Breath Becomes Air, exploring themes of mortality and purpose. Or, consider ending with a poignant reflection, completed by a loved one, that underscores the beauty and fragility of life.

We might also explore using emotional resonance like Maya Angelou in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, bookending our narrative with moments that highlight personal pain transformed into universal themes.

Page Holder: Exploring the Role of Style and Voice

A memoir’s style and voice might play a crucial role in establishing effective page holders. A distinctive narrative voice could make even the simplest beginnings and endings captivating.

We can experiment with a darkly humorous and irreverent voice like Augusten Burroughs in Running with Scissors, or try a more reflective and understated style like Joan Didion in The Year of Magical Thinking.

Page Holder: Potential Lessons for Aspiring Memoirists (Us!)

For aspiring memoirists (that's us!), all of the above are opportunities to keep readers engaged, even enthralled if we can manage it. To recap, our page holders can be crafted by starting with a moment or reflection that encapsulates our memoir’s essence.

Our conclusion must resonate emotionally, mirroring themes in the opening and closing sections. With consistency and authenticity, a gripping opening scene, a resonant conclusion, or a thematic frame have the potential to transform our personal story into a universal one.

Memoirs like Educated, Wild, and Angela’s Ashes boast memorable page holders. Our first and last impressions of those reads endure, making them excellent memoir models. We can draw inspiration from these examples, aiming for our own stories not just to be told, but to leave a lasting impact.