Discover The Stories StoryTerrace Help Share.

They're the same thing, right?Wrong! Memoir vs. autobiography. Autobiography vs. memoir. What's really the difference?

The words autobiography and memoir exist as distinctly separate, albeit similar, words that describe the first-person, written depiction of the author's life. For hundreds of years, as the popularity of sharing life stories has grown, the two forms have co-existed in playful harmony. Chances are you're confused about the similarity between these two terms—don't worry, you're not alone! It seems that people these days use the two words interchangeably – a common mistake! Well, fear not, gentle reader! Let's set the record straight, once and for all. With different structures, content, and research methods, here's why the small-but-mighty memoir deserves its own place in everyone's vocabulary! StructureIt makes sense to start at the beginning, which, of course, is the basic structure of the memoir. Unlike its autobiographical counterpart, which could span an entire lifetime, the memoir is a narrower, more personal approach to particular stories relating to its writer's life. Consider the memoir as a series of snapshots from an entire photo album or a few scenes from a movie. The autobiography, in this case, would be the photo album or entire movie.For more information on how to structure your life story, have a read of our article, How To Write Your Biography:

5 Approaches to Structure Your Life Story.ContentBeing narrower does not necessarily mean less content. Memoirs focus more on certain aspects or events. This allows the writer more opportunity to reflect on emotional aspects of their life rather than just the straight facts. A memoir often makes for a much more in-depth analysis of a shorter period.A memoir is a vehicle for written accounts of wars, businesses, tell-alls by celebrities, and many more!Need help deciding what to include in your story? It's way easier to narrow down what you want to include when you've got it all in front of you! Read our article on Creating a Timeline for a Book About Your Life - which includes a free download - to find out more.ResearchThe autobiography often includes more intricate details such as family history. This might not necessarily have a direct effect on the major events of their life but provides a broader background for the narrative account of their lives. Perhaps a thorough understanding of their childhood is essential to understand their life story. In an autobiography, you can include as much detail spanning as vast a breadth of time as you see fit. This could include the date and birthplace of your great-great-grandparents, or when your grandparents moved to a new town and bought their first house, or even the history of your family name.Memoir vs. Autobiography?Well, it's entirely up to you. If you want to discuss a specific event in your life, like Row Smith did in her Story Terrace book, The Earth Moved, depicting her journey of survival after the 2015 Nepal earthquake, then perhaps a memoir is a better option for you.You may prefer to tell your whole story, or even more, like Brian Tolson did with his Story Terrace book, The Merrybent Kid. Then the all-encompassing nature of the autobiography might be a more suitable option.So, memoir vs. autobiography: you now know what separates them. But which do you prefer?

Plus: An easy first step to get started (free download)Have you ever thought about writing down your Mum or Dad’s life story? It’s probably crossed your mind more than once.Today, more and more people are recording their parents' memories. In fact, it’s become so popular, you can even hire a writer online to do the hard work for you.Here are our top three reasons to capture Mum & Dad’s life story, while you still can.Plus - we have an easy first step to get started, including a free downloadable guide!“It was absolutely overwhelming to receive this gift. I was quite emotional and I still am when I think about it.”1. Show your gratitude with a special giftCapturing your Mum or Dad’s story is the ultimate tribute. Janet’s children turned her life story into a full-length book for her 70th birthday. She told us, “It was absolutely overwhelming to receive this gift. I was quite emotional and I still am when I think about it. It’s amazing to have a record like this of my life story.”Parents do so much for their children throughout their lives, so this unique gift is a wonderful gesture to show your appreciation for all of those things. 2. Make sure your Mum and Dad are rememberedHow much will your children know about their grandparents? Unless you take the time to make a record with your Mum and Dad, their story could be lost to future generations of your family.David, 77, was encouraged to write his life story by his son. The family wanted to make sure his three teenage granddaughters would “learn a little more about my journey through life” - unlike his own parents and grandparents who “left no footprints of their lives” behind.Whether you do-it-yourself, or get professional help, it’s so important to capture these irreplaceable parts of your family’s heritage while you can.3. Rediscover and reconnectHow much do you really know about your parents? If you take the time to record your Mum or Dad’s life story, you may be surprised. Erik, 38, worked with a professional writer to capture his mother’s story in a book. He told us “it was very special to read my mother’s book. There were a lot of new stories that led to wonderful conversations. The book now has a prominent place in my house.”Remember, your parents were around long before you were born. Investing in a project like this, you’ll find out stories from their childhood, adolescence that you would never have discovered otherwise.Next steps: Two ways you can start capturing your parents' stories todayi) Download Our Free GuideSubscribe and we'll send you our free guide, starting with 65 Memory Prompts you can ask your parents to get started.Download Now (Click Here)ii) Work with a Story Terrace WriterStory Terrace offers a complete service for capturing your parents' life story in a book, with packages starting from £1350.Learn More (Click Here)

The Gift of a Lifetime: Capturing Your Parents’ StoriesEver wish you could document every story from your parents’ lives? As your parents reach their upper age, each birthday is a gift within itself. All of the stories, adventures, and memories they’ve told you seem to become more significant as we grow older. The moments when you’re able to ask your parents to retell a story aren't always going to be there. Rather than let those stories disappear forever, capture and record them on paper to create a beautiful book that will live on for years to come. By giving your parents access to a professional ghostwriter who will listen, write, and publish their stories, you’ll be giving them a gift that lasts forever.Here’s why a gift like this is something to consider right now.

1. You Might Just Learn Something ImportantWhile your parents will enjoy the opportunity to be immortalized on paper, you and your children might learn a thing or two. Giving your parents the gift of writing down their adventures can actually be a gift to you too. It will give you a better understanding of your parents’ lives, which will allow you to appreciate what they've been through. It can also make you prouder of where you came from and give you insight into your own personality, health, and habits. Plus, your parents’ memory is as good today as it ever will be, so the sooner, the better.Your children will gain a new appreciation of their grandparents, as well. Oftentimes, grandparents are just “old” to younger generations, out-of-touch people who don’t understand and couldn’t possibly have been young once. Having your parents share their stories helps break down the generational barriers, positioning your parents as real people who once had their first kiss, first job, and struggled to find themselves. Better understanding their grandparents will help strengthen their bond—and increase respect.

2. Your Parents Will Feel CelebratedDo any of their friends have their own book? By matching your parents with a professional writer (thanks, Story Terrace!), their star status will instantly rise. People who write their biographies have expressed a deep pride in themselves and their final book, sharing it with friends, family, and so many others.“The fellow who interviewed me for many hours truly captured my ‘voice,’ and the finished product seemed to know me better than I know myself!” one Story Terrace customer said.

3. It’s the Gift That Keeps on GivingA well-written memoir takes time to get just right, and time is of the essence. Your parents will look forward to multiple story-recording sessions at home or wherever is most comfortable. The step-by-step process of writing, as well as setting a goal and working toward it, is a gift that keeps on giving.“[Our writer] was able to build our story into a comfortable, conversational narrative and guide us to bring out long forgotten details,” another customer said. “Our grandchildren read our story and are delighted to learn details of their ancestors ... whose memories we have preserved.”The bond between your parents and their writer will continue to get stronger with each session. Your parents will go for a trip down memory lane, unearthing specific details that may have been buried for years. It’s an emotional journey that many before have found incredibly rewarding.

4. Leave Their LegacySure, your parents may be turning 80, but that’s really just a number when you consider the number of experiences, romances, trials, and tribulations they’ve experienced in their lifetime! All those moments—both happy and sad—deserve to be recorded as a lasting legacy. They’re what make your loved ones who they are. Writing down their stories helps them recognize their sacrifices and triumphs, but also their quirks, humor, intelligence, and kindness.As we get older, birthdays become more and more precious, gifts that should never be taken for granted. Don’t regret not giving them a gift you know they’ll love. Celebrate your parents’ next milestone with something that should be celebrated: life! For more information on how to gift Story Terrace to your loved one, click here or sign up for our newsletter.

How Do You Relate to Your Parents?Do you regularly check in with those who brought you into this world? Do you know what they got up to before you were born?These are all burning questions that we were curious to understand, so we decided to commission research into how people in the U.K. relate to and understand their parents.The results paint a really interesting picture of how we feel about — and how much we really know about — our parents. What really stands out is that 37% know very little about their mum and dad's lives before they became parents. We believe there is a huge opportunity for us as a nation to connect to and learn from the generation that came before.Keeping in TouchWhen was the last time you caught up with your parents and checked in to see how they were getting on? We discovered that 17% of people haven’t spoken to their mum or dad in the past month. The results vary across the country: Those living in the Northeast give their parents the least amount of their time, whereas those living in Scotland and Wales give them the most.Mum and Dad: Before They Became Parents

Our research shows that many people in the U.K. are somewhat in the dark as to what their parents' lives were like before they were born. When it comes to piecing together the personal histories of their parents, 37% of Britons surveyed said that they’ve learned more about their parents’ lives from discovering family possessions, overhearing conversations, or speaking with other family members, rather than directly from their parents themselves.Can you relate? Have you ever sat down with your parents to talk about their early lives?If your parents are still alive and you have the opportunity to speak to them in person, ask them about their lives before you were born! Doing so could deepen your bond. Even better, how about giving them the gift of turning their life story into a StoryTerrace book? Our customers often tell us how moved their parents have been to receive this meaningful gift!Looking Up to Your ParentsDo you ever wonder how your parents got to where they are today? We discovered that 30% of Britons really admire what their parents have achieved, but have very little understanding as to how they got there, with people between the ages of 18 and 34 feeling this the most. When it comes to appreciating their parents, nearly half of Britons say their parents made life-changing sacrifices to provide them with opportunities.Of course, the very nature of being a parent is about giving your all to ensure your children live as great a life as possible, yet it's widely said that parenting is a thankless job! If your parents are still alive, it might be wise to think of some ways you can show your appreciation. Our research paints a vivid picture of the vast opportunities that exist for us to truly get to know our parents and their personal histories, so give Mum and Dad a ring to find out more today.If you'd like to give your parents the gift of a StoryTerrace book, we are here to help! Get in touch to find out how you can work with our professional writers today, or sign up for our newsletter to hear more about how you can capture your parents´ story for future generations to enjoy.

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