10 Essential Do’s and Don’ts of Navigating Humor in Memoir Writing

Memoir writing is an amazing journey and should be filled with personal stories and heartfelt moments that are woven throughout the theme of your memoir. Infusing humor into your memoir can add another layer that allows your reader to enjoy the ride even more, but it’s crucial to strike the right balance.

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a first-time memoirist, these do’s and don’ts will help you use the power of humor effectively in your storytelling.

The Do’s:

Do Know Your Audience: Understand the preferences and feelings of your readers to tailor your humor to their tastes and experiences. For example, if your audience is women of faith, vulgar humor is definitely not the way to go.

Do Be Authentic: Share genuine, relatable stories that reflect your personality and experiences, allowing your humor to flow from your unique voice naturally.

Do Use Humor to Connect: Build a bridge with your readers through shared laughter, and using humor to create a sense of camaraderie and understanding works wonders.

Do Balance with Emotion: Blend humor with touching moments to create an emotional journey that resonates with your readers on a deeper level.

Do Use Humor to Illuminate Truths: Use humor to shed light on life’s truths and complexities, using wit as a tool to explore deeper themes.

The Don’ts:

Don’t Force Laughter: Avoid contrived humor that feels out of place or forced, as it can disrupt the flow of your narrative and disconnect readers. People hate fake humor.

Don’t Disregard Sensitivity: Be mindful of sensitive topics and steer clear of humor that may offend or belittle others, maintaining respect and empathy throughout your storytelling.

Don’t Rely on Tired Clichés: Steer clear of overused jokes and clichés, opting for fresh, original humor that reflects your distinct perspective and experiences.

Don’t Sacrifice Authenticity for Comedy: Prioritize honesty and authenticity over a quest for laughs, ensuring that your humor stays true to the essence of your story. Again, people hate fake humor.

Don’t Overwhelm with Humor: Resist the urge to saturate your memoir with constant jokes, allowing moments of humor to complement and enhance the narrative rather than overpower it.

Remember, humor can be a powerful storytelling tool, adding depth and relatability to your memoir. By considering these do’s and don’ts, you can create a memoir that resonates with readers, evoking both laughter and self-examination and capturing the essence of your unique life journey. By doing so, you will create both a dedicated reader and a fan.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on using humor in your memoir. If you’d like to add to the conversation leave a comment below.