Writing for Immortality
Writing for Immortality
Barbara Basbanes Richter
Overcoming Quitters Day: Strategies for Memoir-Writing Success
23 minutes Posted Jan 16, 2025 at 11:00 am.
New Year, New Goals: The Quitters Day Reality
Understanding Barriers to Memoir Writing
The 'What the Hell' Effect: Overcoming Setbacks
Flexibility in Writing Routines
Present Bias: Finding Immediate Rewards
Fresh Starts: Embracing New Beginnings
Maintaining Long-Term Motivation
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Show notes
Getting Your Memoir Writing Resolution Back on Track
Why do so many people abandon their New Year's resolution to write their life story? In this episode, Barbara explores the science behind habit formation and how to apply it specifically to memoir writing. Drawing from behavioral scientist Katy Milkman's research on habit formation, we break down the key barriers that stop aspiring memoirists—and provide concrete solutions to overcome them.
Episode Highlights:
Why the second Friday of January is known as "Quitter's Day"
The "What the Hell Effect" and how it derails memoir writers
Why rigid writing schedules often backfire
How to use "temptation bundling" to make writing irresistible
The right (and wrong) ways to use fresh starts in your writing practice
Key Concepts:
Present bias in memoir writing
Flexible vs. rigid routines
Commitment devices for writers
The mentorship effect
Progress tracking systems
Resources:
How To Change: The Science of Getting From Where You Are To Where You Want To Be by Katy Milkman https://www.amazon.com/How-Change-Science-Getting-Where/dp/059308375X
Memoir doctor Wendy Dale's interview on Writing for Immortality https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/writingforimmortality/episodes/Why-Your-Memoir-Isnt-Working-and-How-to-Fix-It-with-Wendy-Dale-e2t84u4
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Join the conversation: Share your memoir writing challenges and successes with us on social media using #Writing4Immortality #MemoirWriting #WritingHabits