Making Art from Your Life, featuring Jeannine Ouellette
Feb 6, 2023
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Author Jeannine Ouellette discusses craft, emulating other writers, and the value of reading and studying other memoirs. She also shares insights into the structure and creation of her memoir, the decision to rewrite it as a novel, teaching workshops, and the surprising success of Prince Harry's memoir.
Craft is an essential aspect of writing, encompassing elements like exteriority, tense, point of view, aboutness, and time control.
Observing others' work can provide valuable insights and inspiration for your own writing process.
Deep dives
The Success of Prince Harry's Memoir: Unexpected Sales and Literary Credit
Prince Harry's memoir, written in collaboration with J.R. Moranger, has surpassed expectations with over 400,000 copies sold in the UK and nearly 1.5 million sold worldwide on its first day. Despite initial doubts about the public's interest in yet another royal family exposé, the memoir's high-profile ghostwriter and the literary accolades bestowed upon him have piqued readers' curiosity. Moranger's reputation as a skilled memoirist, particularly evident in works like 'The Tender Bar' and his collaborations with other public figures like Andre Agassi, has contributed to the memoir's success. Critics have praised Moranger's ability to elevate the narrative and structure the book around compelling themes, providing hope that the memoir transcends the typical celebrity tell-all. However, some skeptics question the literary merits of the memoir, pointing out Prince Harry's lack of literary background and his occasional confusion regarding literary terminology. Nevertheless, the documentary-like exposure of royal family dynamics remains a powerful lure for readers, driving the memoir's unprecedented sales.
The Debate Surrounding Celebrity Memoirs and their Impact on the Genre
While Prince Harry's memoir has garnered enormous attention and financial success, it reignites the ongoing conversation about the impact of celebrity memoirs on the genre. Critics argue that such memoirs often overshadow other literary works and perpetuate the commercialization of publishing. In the case of Prince Harry's memoir 'Spare,' opinions vary regarding whether it truly fits the memoir genre or functions more as an authorized biography. The role of the ghostwriter, J.R. Moranger, also raises questions about the collaboration and the extent to which Prince Harry's story has been crafted by another writer. It is suggested that while celebrity memoirs may sell well due to their tabloid-like appeal, they may not necessarily contribute to the growth and advancement of the memoir genre as a whole.
The Intrigue of Prince Harry's Memoir: Salacious Details and Literary Skill
The success of Prince Harry's memoir can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its salacious content and the skillful storytelling of J.R. Moranger, the ghostwriter. The memoir delves into the personal experiences of Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle within the royal family and their subsequent departure. While the book offers a glimpse into the lives of royalty, its appeal extends beyond mere gossip, as Moranger's writing prowess elevates the narrative. This unexpected blend of scandal and literary merit has made 'Spare' a captivating memoir that has captured the attention and interest of readers worldwide.
The Controversy Surrounding Prince Harry's Memoir: Generational Reactions and Media Attention
Prince Harry's memoir has generated both excitement and controversy among different generations and media commentators. Older generations have shown a fervent interest in the royal family and eagerly devour any books or memoirs related to them. Media commentators, on the other hand, expressed surprise at the memoir's overwhelming success, given that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had already extensively discussed their lives and grievances in the media. The intriguing blend of personal revelation and public fascination has magnified the public's interest in 'Spare,' making it a must-read for those enthralled by the royal family saga.
This week Brooke and Grant are in thoughtful, deep conversation with Jeannine Ouellette about craft—ranging from exteriority, tense, point of view, aboutness, and time control. This episode touches upon observing others’ work to inform your own—and we encourage all listeners to read Jeannine’s recent post that’s mentioned a few times in this week’s show: “Eleven Urgent and Possibly Helpful Things I’ve Learned From Reading Thousands of Manuscripts”: https://www.jeannineouellette.com/musing/eleven-urgent-and-possibly-helpful-things-ive-learned-from-reading-thousands-of-manuscripts.
