Writers on Writing is our regular conversation with a writer or industry professional about the writing craft, industry insights, and their own practice. This week, we spoke to Jacquelin Melilli about memoir as a method of passing on stories, authenticity and market appeal in life stories, and what great memoirs have in common. 

Why is memoir such a powerful vehicle to build your legacy?

The key to a memoir is connection. Whether you’re an ordinary person or famous, we are all connected to the human experience. Yet there are so many people who feel alone, suffering in silence, believing they are the only ones going through their experience. The value of a memoir cannot be underestimated. Sharing your life experiences, wisdom and knowledge could possibly change someone’s life if they connect with your story.

While it’s beautiful to have special memories and kind words spoken about you at your funeral, most people, even those very close to you, will never know the sacred spirit that resides inside you unless you choose to share it and leave a legacy of who you really were behind the smile.

These are some of the reasons why I believe writing a memoir is such a power vehicle to build your legacy. You’re in the driver’s seat, navigating the crevices of your mind to deep, personal memories that only you can release if you choose to share them. Do you want to share your version of yourself, or someone else’s version of who they think you are?

Is there a tension between authentically representing your story and creating market appeal?

I believe a memoir has to be authentic to have market appeal, especially in this era of AI (Artificial Intelligence). Authenticity attracts readers. The last thing you want is to write a social media type memoir highlighting all the wonderful moments of your life. Most people are hurting one way or another. Life is not always easy. It’s a roller coaster ride we are all forced to ride. People connect with real people who show their vulnerable side, their ugly side, their side that battles with demons.

Something else that has market appeal is a book written without using AI. AI cannot write a book with a soul that reflects your life experiences. A memoir has heart and soul, your unique voice and the gift of wisdom that only you can pass on.

Is memoir reliant on memory, research, or a mixture of both?

While memoir comes from the French word mémoire (memory), we can’t rely 100% on memory. Even though your memoir is based on your perspective, it still needs to be accurate. If your memoir is based on a world-known event, it’s imperative that you get the facts right by researching newspaper archives and other well-respected resources. Research will always enhance your memoir and prevent any embarrassing inaccuracies.

Interviewing people to get their perspective can also be valuable. Even if you don’t use the information given to you by the people you’ve interviewed, they may reveal some gold nuggets or possibly open a can of worms that may send you down some rabbit holes.

What are some common features of engaging and compelling memoirs?

Personally, what engages me and I find compelling in memoirs is the raw, radical, even brutal honesty the author shares about themselves. I think it’s so courageous to symbolically strip yourself naked in front of an audience by removing the layers we use to protect ourselves.

Having a story arc and character arc in your memoir gives it structure and invites the reader on a journey they can connect with as they see how the experiences you are sharing changed you.

Themes such as overcoming adversity, surviving a financial crisis, escaping domestic abuse, or conquering a fear resonate with readers. Other features include choosing a storytelling style that reflects your personality, infusing humour into difficult situations, being honest about how you dealt with uncomfortable truths, sharing your fears, and mental battles. These are hooks that will captivate the reader’s attention.

In essence, we are all connected in one way or another. While our lives and experiences are unique, universally we all seek love and acceptance, and we all fear rejection, especially by those close to us. This comes back to why authenticity makes a memoir engaging and compelling.

Do you have to be famous for your life to be ‘worth’ writing a memoir about?

Absolutely not, but you may be after publishing your memoir! Some examples of ordinary Australians who became famous after publishing their memoirs are:

A.B. Facey who wrote A Fortunate Life (adapted into a highly successful four-part television miniseries.

Sally Morgan wrote My Place, which uncovered her Aboriginal heritage. It sold over half a million copies, won the 1987 Human Rights Award for Literature; the 1990 Order of Australia Book Prize, and has been adapted into editions for younger readers and is widely studied in schools. 

Bri Lee, author of Eggshell Skull, was an unknown young law graduate. Her memoir about her sexual assault and the legal system made her a nationally recognised writer and advocate.

Alice Pung’s memoir, Unpolished Gem was about growing up in a Cambodian‑Chinese migrant family. It was selected for school and university reading lists.

Sara Henderson—From Strength to Strength won her the 1991 Australian Businesswoman of the Year award. A memoir can also be an excellent business tool.

Jacquelin (Jacqx) Melilli is an author, playwright, writing coach, and workshop presenter who loves helping people tell their life stories. She has a Master of Arts degree in Writing and Literature from Deakin University. Her specialisations include editing, creative non-fiction and fiction writing, publishing, scriptwriting, playwriting, and research.

Jacqx worked in film, television, and theatre and taught youth drama, which prompted her to write her Australian award-winning stage plays. These plays were also published by Ready-Ed Publications as a series of educational books titled the Lights, Camera, Action drama series. She also produced and directed two of her plays as short films. Her other publications include short stories, articles and an Australian historical novel, When The Glitter Fades—a generational saga, love triangle revenge story based on Australian showbiz.

Join Writing a Memoir as a Legacy with Jacquelin Melilli, Monday 3 August to Friday 28 August, 2026, online. 

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