Memoir Snob Episode 32: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin
Oct 13, 2023
Exploring writing styles in memoirs, breaking the 4th wall, subtle sarcasm, personal fantasies, and the importance of a great ending in Steve Martin's book.
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Episode notes
Memoir Vs Autobiography
- Memoirs focus on story while autobiographies often chronicle events chronologically.
- The host prefers memoirs because they teach writing techniques and emphasize narrative craft.
Use Direct Address For Intimacy
- Breaking the fourth wall addresses the reader directly and creates intimacy in writing.
- Comedic writers often use it sparingly to pull readers into the story and then return to the narrative.
Steve Martin's Tumbling Bit
- Speaker 0 reads Steve Martin's tumbling passage that breaks the fourth wall to the reader.
- The line "This might seem impossible to you, but yes, we did it." shows direct address and humor.