I just had the pleasure of having my article, A Memoir Narrator Transformed posted on Women Writers, Women['s] Books. I hope you'll stop by and give it a read, especially if you write or enjoy reading memoir. … [Read more...] about Memoir Narrator’s Transformation
Family History
Writing Memoir or Family History? Be Afraid. Be Careful.
When I converted my home office into a writer’s study, one of the first things I did was post on the bulletin board above my desk a card from the National Association of Memoir Writers. It reads: Be Brave: Write Your Story That’s what writing memoir and family history takes. Bravery. Cojones. … [Read more...] about Writing Memoir or Family History? Be Afraid. Be Careful.
How to Use Artifacts to Fuel Your Memoir or Family History
Paper Prompts When we prepare to write a memoir or record incidents from our family's history, we might easily think of common paper items that many of us tend to hold onto. These can form the basis of memory aids, and would include: -- photos of people and places -- letters received from relatives … [Read more...] about How to Use Artifacts to Fuel Your Memoir or Family History
The Zen of Life Story Writing
When I give talks on writing life stories, invariably members of the audience say their kids or grandkids are pestering them about their early lives, and they want to let their extended families, friends, and future generations know what made them who they are. Or that they’ve got stories within … [Read more...] about The Zen of Life Story Writing
Choose a Life or Family Story Writing Option
If you’re thinking of writing about your life, or your family’s life, here's some information to help you decide which of the possible forms would work best for you. Autobiography An autobiography covers your entire life. Tip: Be careful about starting out with your actual birth, unless there was … [Read more...] about Choose a Life or Family Story Writing Option
Top 3 Reasons Baby Boomers and Seniors Put Off Writing About Their Lives
Are you among those who chide themselves for not doing anything about those anecdotes your friends keep telling you that you should write down? Or maybe it’s those personal memories you feel you ought to share with the world? Or, you might feel weighed down by a nagging desire to preserve the … [Read more...] about Top 3 Reasons Baby Boomers and Seniors Put Off Writing About Their Lives
Book Review: Women Writing on Family
Interest in genealogy, family history, and memoir* is so intense these days it’s about time a book to guide writers working in these genres became available. Women Writing on Family: Tips on Writing, Teaching and Publishing, an anthology edited by Carol Smallwood and Suzann Holland, is that book. … [Read more...] about Book Review: Women Writing on Family
I’m Innocent, Officer: Thinking About Memoir. Again.
To prevent narrators from coming across as a whiny victims, modern memoirs seem to require that the narrators take responsibility for their complicity in the disasters they're recording. There are times in life when s**t happens, when you're standing on a street corner with your back safely against … [Read more...] about I’m Innocent, Officer: Thinking About Memoir. Again.
Family History Writing: Guest Post by Linda Gartz, Part 1
In Part 1 of her guest post below, Linda Gartz, who writes the ambitious and impressive Family Archaeologist blog, shares the intriguing story of her research into her family’s history and the discoveries she’s made. Part 2 offers tips to others interested in documenting their family … [Read more...] about Family History Writing: Guest Post by Linda Gartz, Part 1