Centering your memoir’s message without being ”preachy”” episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 23, 2025 · 18 MIN

Centering your memoir’s message without being ”preachy””

from The Page & Podium Podcast with Dr. Amanda Nell Edgar · host Page & Podium Press

We often talk about a memoir's central message and how important it is for a strong and focused narrative. Many starting and even experienced authors struggle with this focus because sometimes it can tip over into preachiness, which is a put-off to readers and goes against what many writers really want for their book. You're not here to be judgmental or tell people how live; you're here to share something you deeply feel is true, important, and may help others. This balance can be tricky to achieve, but we have four steps to ensure your message is clear and delivered in your narrative in a way that reads naturally and pleasantly, without veering into preachiness. Part of the process of becoming a writer is learning how to read like a writer--to see the bones of structure and past the words to what choices the author is making and why they are (or aren't) working in the interest of the story. That's why Page and Podium is excited to announce our upcoming new Memoir Method Book Club, where each month we will be reading and examining a memoir with a writer's eye to learn more about what we can apply (or avoid) in our own work. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 2:15- Balancing narrative and message can be technically difficult 3:55- Step 1: Find your story, make it narrow 6:10- Your topic and message are not the same 7:30- Step 2: Refine your message for your audience 10:30- Step 3: Define your turning points 12:40- Step 4: Ensure your outline focuses on change 14:00- Change and development helps avoid repetition and preachiness 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

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Centering your memoir’s message without being ”preachy””

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This episode is 18 minutes long.

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This episode was published on September 23, 2025.

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We often talk about a memoir's central message and how important it is for a strong and focused narrative. Many starting and even experienced authors struggle with this focus because sometimes it can tip over into preachiness, which is a put-off to...

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