Everyone has a story to tell, but only a few actually sit down to write a memoir. Some people don't feel that they have anything interesting to share, while others have enough to share to fill several books, but just don't know where to start.

Crafting a memoir isn't like writing a novel, because it's based in personal truth. It may seem simple enough – all you have to do is think of some personal stories and write them down, right? The short answer is no. Putting together a memoir so it lays out the memories you want to share in a way that flows well and engages your reader is like creating a piece of art.

It's easy to come up with a dozen great stories that will interest readers, but making them jive into one written piece is just as complex as writing a full-scale adventure trilogy. It's a process and takes time, planning and mental elbow grease to put together well.

If you're interested in writing a memoir, you should. There's no doubt, whether you're sharing stories from your childhood or your courageous fight against cancer that someone will benefit from hearing about your experiences. Don't let the challenges of writing a book keep you from putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard as it were.

There are many resources you can reference to get you started, from great online articles to full books on memoir writing, such as William Zinsser's Inventing the Truth: The Art and Craft of Memoir. What I like about Zinsser's book is that it includes his own tips and ideas, but those of many other memoir authors as well. It walks you through the process from choosing stories to putting the book together.

Writing a memoir is the dream of many people, but few will sit down and commit to sharing their lives with the rest of the world. If you're yearning to let your memories be heard, you should go for it. The experience of writing a memoir is as amazing as the story your book will tell.