Write your memoir.
Start with a practical guide.

If you are thinking about writing a memoir or autobiography, I highly recommend this book. I bought it and read it twice because I wanted to understand and remember well what Joe Weaver was writing. I wrote a Kirkus Reviews recommended memoir, and I can assure you that the challenges of writing my memoir would have been immensely easier if I had had the knowledgeable advice that this book offers. I give Author Talks about my memoir and encourage people to give serious consideration to writing their memoirs. With “Leave a Lasting Legacy” in my possession, I will begin showcasing Joe Weaver’s book, encouraging attendees to buy a copy of my memoir and order a copy of Weaver’s book to help launch them into beginning their memoirs.

This book is very well written and it’s guidance will be an invaluable help to any prospective writer.

Leave a Lasting Legacy is a thorough and well-written guide for any author, whether writing fiction or non-fiction. I love how Weaver approaches memoir as a story, applying many of the same literary and writing concepts to the genre in an accessible way.

Its brief, tightly focused chapters encourage re-reading and referencing as authors progress through the various phases of their writing journey. No book or class on writing is a silver bullet for achieving success as a writer—they should serve as bricks in a foundation, providing a solid platform to build on. Joe Weaver’s book is an essential, substantial brick in that foundation.

He avoids the misrepresentations often found in online “tutorials” and “how-to” guides, delivering actionable advice with the confidence of an experienced, knowledgeable writer. If you’re interested in writing a memoir, I couldn’t recommend this book more.

I’ve read a few books on writing, but none have resonated with me quite like “Leave a Lasting Legacy” by Joe Weaver. Many books focus solely on the technicalities of plot and structure, but this book understands that memoir writing is a deeply emotional, vulnerable act.

Joe acts as a gentle guide through the psychological hurdles of writing about one's past. The book brilliantly addresses the fear of judgment, the struggle with "imposter syndrome," and the anxiety of wondering if your story is even worth telling. (Spoiler alert: this book convinces you that it absolutely is).

Beyond the incredible emotional support, the practical advice is top-notch. Every question you may have will be answered - from the attention-grabbing opening line…how to avoid the publishing scammers…seeking professional assistance…to the book signing - and everything in between. This is a book you should keep close at hand as a reference guide, and a motivator.

Reading this book was what finally kick-started me. If you are sitting on a story and waiting for a sign to start writing it, let this book be your sign. It is a true masterpiece of creative instruction.