Thanks to all of you who participated in the quiz about your writing! Your answers will help make this site more responsive to you and writers like you. The results will be posted here soon. And I'll keep you updated on the changes I'll be making to the site. In the meantime, take yourself on a … [Read more...] about The Survey’s Over
Family History
Memoir, Life Writers, and Family History Writers: Help Me to Help You
To update this site, Tools and Tactics for Writers, by offering information and services more specifically targeted to writers of Memoir, Family History, and shorter personal sketches about the writers' lives, I need to know what site visitors and subscribers want and need for their writing. So I'm … [Read more...] about Memoir, Life Writers, and Family History Writers: Help Me to Help You
A Memoir is More Than Just Facts
A version of this essay originally appeared as my guest post on DeliberateInk, the blog of writer Shikarah Dawud. Remembering the past so that we can record it might not be the greatest challenge we memoirists face. In a memoir, precision isn’t everything. If we’re unsure of a date, we can dip … [Read more...] about A Memoir is More Than Just Facts
How to Write What Matters
Add Intensity to Your Life Writing I urge my creative writing students not to bother putting on paper all the joys and none of the pain of their lives. That approach is boring, un-instructive, and anyway, I won’t believe it. Nobody’s existence is unblemished. I’m not suggesting you write … [Read more...] about How to Write What Matters
Another Must-Have Memoir Writing Aid
It’s true that my own essay, “No More Secrets and Silence,” appears in the recently released The Magic of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writing Journey anthology, and that this essay won first prize in the Magic of Memoir contest. But if you write memoir or family history, I’d be urging you to get … [Read more...] about Another Must-Have Memoir Writing Aid
Write That Memoir, Life Story, or Family History. Now.
Know you should start or finish your memoir, stories from your life, or family history, but can't seem to get up enough steam for the task? Ease over to Bookcoaching.com to see the tips I offer in my guest post. They can get you going. - Lynette … [Read more...] about Write That Memoir, Life Story, or Family History. Now.
Talking Memoir with Writing Instructor, Coach, and Publisher Brooke Warner, Part 1
As a memoir writer, as well as a memoir coach myself, I’ve followed Brooke Warner’s work on behalf of memoir and memoir writers for years. It’s a pleasure to welcome her here so you can learn more about her varied work, including publishing. - Lynette You’re a writing instructor, coach, and … [Read more...] about Talking Memoir with Writing Instructor, Coach, and Publisher Brooke Warner, Part 1
Examples of Boomers and Seniors Writing About Their Lives
As I’ve written in other posts here, I teach boomers and seniors (and others) to write stories from their lives. Our classes are moving, funny, exciting, suspenseful, and a whole lot of fun—and that describes the stories the students write. When people tell me they have a pressing urge to write … [Read more...] about Examples of Boomers and Seniors Writing About Their Lives
Free Memoir and Family History Writing Talk
Interested in writing memoir, stories from your life, or family history? I'll be presenting a free (and lively) talk on Tuesday 7/12 at Robbins Library, in Arlington, Mass. at 1:00. I hope you'll join us. This talk could help you get started or work your way to the finish line! … [Read more...] about Free Memoir and Family History Writing Talk