--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Writing your memoir is inherently…" description: "\"Writing your memoir is inherently narcissistic.\" — Laura Jane Grace" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d17/laura-jane-grace-4849_memoir_writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcis_575692.jpg" --- # Writing your memoir is inherently narcissistic. ![“Writing your memoir is inherently narcissistic.” quote by Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d17/laura-jane-grace-4849_memoir_writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcis_575692.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d17/laura-jane-grace-4849_memoir_writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcis_575692.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d17/laura-jane-grace-4849_memoir_writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcis_575692.jpg) > “Writing your memoir is inherently narcissistic.” [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing a memoir inherently centers the author, risking self‑absorption over broader relevance. **In simple terms:** Memoirs are naturally self‑focused. Key Takeaway Balance personal narrative with universal themes. Themes self‑reflection storytelling humility identity Mood introspective empathetic Type literary personal growth When to use this quote - author talks - creative workshops - publishing - personal branding - mental health awareness Key Concepts literary criticism psychology of self narrative ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can memoirs serve others? - What boundaries keep self‑focus healthy? A Different Perspective Risk of alienating readers if too self‑centric. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Memoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memoir/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [How can you be of service to something other than your own ego and bank account, in a business that's inherently narcissistic?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-porter/how-can-you-be-of-service-to-something-other-than-your-own-ego-and/) [Billy Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-porter/) > [When I was writing the memoir, every page was a battle with myself because I knew I had to tell the truth. That's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/when-i-was-writing-the-memoir-every-page-was-a-battle-with-myself/) [Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/) > [The act of writing means you wish to communicate. Whether you're writing a memoir for yourself you put in a drawer, or you write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/the-act-of-writing-means-you-wish-to-communicate-whether-you-re/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [You write fiction, you're writing memoir, and when you're writing memoir, you're writing fiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/you-write-fiction-you-re-writing-memoir-and-when-you-re-writing/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [I you're writing memoir, but it even comes up in fiction. People just assume that you're writing thinly veiled autobiography. And particularly, I think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-adiele/i-you-re-writing-memoir-but-it-even-comes-up-in-fiction-people-just/) [Faith Adiele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-adiele/) > [When I first got sick, they told me I had a year to live, and I was writing my memoir really fast. There were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lurie/when-i-first-got-sick-they-told-me-i-had-a-year-to-live-and-i-was/) [John Lurie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lurie/) > [Usually, with a novel, you start with no idea what to do because your job is to create convincing characters and then they just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-shteyngart/usually-with-a-novel-you-start-with-no-idea-what-to-do-because-your/) [Gary Shteyngart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-shteyngart/) > [ I'd say, \[writing memoir\] not so much a model, but maybe to provide an insight, here or there, to help somebody come to terms… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornel-west/i-d-say-writing-memoir-not-so-much-a-model-but-maybe-to-provide-an/) [Cornel West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornel-west/) > [ Writing a memoir isn't particularly interesting to me. I'm not like Ellen \[DeGeneres\], where I can write, 'Water bottles--they're crazy!' and it's funny. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-graham/writing-a-memoir-isn-t-particularly-interesting-to-me-i-m-not-like/) [Lauren Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-graham/) > [I had a very high-grade publisher tell me I was incapable of writing a memoir.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/i-had-a-very-high-grade-publisher-tell-me-i-was-incapable-of-writing/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [“If I were a lesbian and had a thing for narcissistic ex-sorority girls? I’d totally do me." Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/if-i-were-a-lesbian-and-had-a-thing-for-narcissistic-ex-sorority/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [One of the most challenging aspects of writing a memoir is finding your own voice, and you should be very careful about being influenced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeannette-walls/one-of-the-most-challenging-aspects-of-writing-a-memoir-is-finding/) [Jeannette Walls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeannette-walls/) > [Writing a memoir has a particularly excited sense of narcissism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-ayers/writing-a-memoir-has-a-particularly-excited-sense-of-narcissism/) [Bill Ayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-ayers/) > [Now the truth is, writing is a great way to deal with a lot of difficult emotional issues. It can be very therapeutic, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/now-the-truth-is-writing-is-a-great-way-to-deal-with-a-lot-of/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [In terms of style, I think the memoirist should have a novelist's skill and all the elements of a novelist's toolbox. When I read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-trussoni/in-terms-of-style-i-think-the-memoirist-should-have-a-novelist-s/) [Danielle Trussoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-trussoni/) ## More by Laura Jane Grace > [In a perfect world, in my opinion, 'they,' 'them,' and 'theirs' would be the pronouns that everyone would use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/in-a-perfect-world-in-my-opinion-they-them-and-theirs-would-be-the/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [I feel self-conscious for even having met so many other band people and artists, I don't want to be that artist that is only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/i-feel-self-conscious-for-even-having-met-so-many-other-band-people/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [That's one of the biggest fears a lot of trans people have if they decide to come out, that they're making themselves unlovable and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/that-s-one-of-the-biggest-fears-a-lot-of-trans-people-have-if-they/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [A lot of what keeps me going is wanting to be better, thinking I'm not good enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/a-lot-of-what-keeps-me-going-is-wanting-to-be-better-thinking-i-m-not/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [When I was 19 or 20, the way I was an activist was by regularly meeting with groups, going to protests, and being there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/when-i-was-19-or-20-the-way-i-was-an-activist-was-by-regularly/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [I was always taught by punk to think for yourself and to question authority. That's what I've always tried to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/i-was-always-taught-by-punk-to-think-for-yourself-and-to-question/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [I was married for like seven, eight years. And then coming out of that I was like, 'Okay, now what? I guess I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/i-was-married-for-like-seven-eight-years-and-then-coming-out-of-that/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [Growing up, my experience with transsexualism was nothing but shame. It was something very hidden, and dealt with very privately.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/growing-up-my-experience-with-transsexualism-was-nothing-but-shame-it/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [The period of time between when you're done with a record and when you start touring is the worst period of a time in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/the-period-of-time-between-when-you-re-done-with-a-record-and-when/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [I recognize that I'm in a band, and part of being in a band is doing interviews, and I do have a platform so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/i-recognize-that-i-m-in-a-band-and-part-of-being-in-a-band-is-doing/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [Saying to someone 'I'm a transsexual' is the most empowering thing I've ever felt in my whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/saying-to-someone-i-m-a-transsexual-is-the-most-empowering-thing-i-ve/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [As technology and science advances, I think the ability to alter yourself should be embraced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/as-technology-and-science-advances-i-think-the-ability-to-alter/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [For most people who are transitioning, surgery isn't really a financial reality. So to place these goals of 'in order to be happy with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/for-most-people-who-are-transitioning-surgery-isn-t-really-a/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [What I learned early on, is that it's not really fun to do things alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/what-i-learned-early-on-is-that-it-s-not-really-fun-to-do-things-alone/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) > [I'd never have imagined it when I was younger. A trans woman on the cover of 'Time?' That is unfathomable to the 15-year-old me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/i-d-never-have-imagined-it-when-i-was-younger-a-trans-woman-on-the/) [Laura Jane Grace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) [Explore all 106 Laura Jane Grace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/) ## More Memoir quotes > [The memoir by women, read by female readers, is considered a market form, not "great literature."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-zambreno/the-memoir-by-women-read-by-female-readers-is-considered-a-market/) [Kate Zambreno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-zambreno/) > [“A bookshop is a peaceful sanctuary of silent voices waiting to heard”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mala-naidoo/a-bookshop-is-a-peaceful-sanctuary-of-silent-voices-waiting-to-heard/) [Mala Naidoo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mala-naidoo/) > [I think some of the best sex writing is going to come from the unexpected sources, not the same old same old. Like I'd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-kramer-bussel/i-think-some-of-the-best-sex-writing-is-going-to-come-from-the/) [Rachel Kramer Bussel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-kramer-bussel/) > [“When I first met Billy I thought about sucking his eyes right out of their sockets. They’re like turquoise gum drops.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-treggiari/when-i-first-met-billy-i-thought-about-sucking-his-eyes-right-out-of/) [Jo Treggiari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-treggiari/) > [“I am not and autobiographical writer--one can't be without a solid and explicable self--and read all autobiographical writers with the same curiosity. What kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yiyun-li/i-am-not-and-autobiographical-writer-one-can-t-be-without-a-solid-and/) [Yiyun Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yiyun-li/) > [Memoirs are going to be problematic sells for a while, though, because even if memoir means "based in memory," right now, in the collective…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-monroe/memoirs-are-going-to-be-problematic-sells-for-a-while-though-because/) [Debra Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-monroe/) > [“FROM a six-year-old: Told by a well-meaning friend, ‘Alex, do you know what the one thing is that the more you give, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-hamilton/from-a-six-year-old-told-by-a-well-meaning-friend-alex-do-you-know/) Susan Hamilton > [“I used to teach at an abused children's home. I told the kids, "You all have a manure pile of memories. Nothing you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-o-donnell/i-used-to-teach-at-an-abused-children-s-home-i-told-the-kids-you-all/) [Rebecca O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-o-donnell/) > [A memoir takes some particular threads, some incidents, some experience from a person's life and gives an account of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hell/a-memoir-takes-some-particular-threads-some-incidents-some-experience/) [Richard Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hell/) > [By calling it a memoir, I meant is as a collection of memories. I thought it was (a more) artful (title) than documentary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-merchant/by-calling-it-a-memoir-i-meant-is-as-a-collection-of-memories-i/) [Natalie Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-merchant/) > [“One thing I always admired about Daddy was the way he could bounce back from adversity. From the very beginning of his life, he’d…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-k-campbell/one-thing-i-always-admired-about-daddy-was-the-way-he-could-bounce/) L.K. Campbell > [“As well as writing, 2004 saw my first attempt at wine making: the elixir of life. Unfortunately, my effort tasted more like the elixir…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-briggs/as-well-as-writing-2004-saw-my-first-attempt-at-wine-making-the/) Craig Briggs > [A tree's wood is also its memoir.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hope-jahren/a-tree-s-wood-is-also-its-memoir/) [Hope Jahren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hope-jahren/) > [Maybe I will write a memoir, perhaps I'll do some essays, or maybe I will write a mystery story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-herbert-donald/maybe-i-will-write-a-memoir-perhaps-i-ll-do-some-essays-or-maybe-i/) [David Herbert Donald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-herbert-donald/) > [The man is always the last to know when Cupid has struck him -Anonymous, Memoirs of a Mistress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina-jeffries/the-man-is-always-the-last-to-know-when-cupid-has-struck-him/) [Sabrina Jeffries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina-jeffries/) [Browse all 1,163 Memoir quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memoir/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Writing your memoir is inherently narcissistic.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laura Jane Grace" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcissistic/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Memoir" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcissistic/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d17/laura-jane-grace-4849_memoir_writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcis_575692.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d17/laura-jane-grace-4849_memoir_writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcis_575692.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d17/laura-jane-grace-4849_memoir_writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcis_575692.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Writing your memoir is inherently narcissistic.” — Laura Jane Grace", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Laura Jane Grace", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-jane-grace/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Writing your memoir is inherently narcissistic.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcissistic/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-jane-grace/writing-your-memoir-is-inherently-narcissistic/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```