So, there I was a couple of weeks ago, proudly flipping through the completed first chapters of my memoir, My Mother's Money. I had the hook, followed by a gripping scene to introduce the story's first complication. Then I plunged readers (and the main characters) into a big surprise. Chapter 4 … [Read more...] about When You Hate the Book You’re Writing: My Solution
My Mother's Money
Judi Coltman: When You Hate the Book You’re Writing
It's not uncommon for writers to experience intermittent loathing for the books they're writing. I hate the one I'm working on because it forces me to recall unpleasant details of my search my mother's money—and it shines a spotlight on previously unknown tensions in my small immediate … [Read more...] about Judi Coltman: When You Hate the Book You’re Writing
When You Hate the Book You’re Writing, Series Introduction
It's riveting. It's exciting. If I wanted to, I probably could make it read like a thriller. Yet, here's a conversation I have at least once a week. A friend says, "How's your memoir coming along?" "Which one?" I ask, hoping this friend is asking about the other one, the one I'm writing that I … [Read more...] about When You Hate the Book You’re Writing, Series Introduction
Memoir or Family History? A Deeper Look at the Differences
Introduction While sorting out the question of whether my work-in-progress, My Mother’s Money, is a memoir or a family history, I became intrigued by several thoughtful posts on Virginia Lloyd’s blog addressing this and other questions about what qualifies as memoir. So I invited her to discuss the … [Read more...] about Memoir or Family History? A Deeper Look at the Differences
Is it Memoir or Family History?
A student in one of my creative writing classes for boomers and seniors asked, "Do you have to be the main character in your memoir?" "Yes," I responded. Then I paused and said, "Let me think about this." I was facing a dilemma that had been skirting around the edges of my creative consciousness … [Read more...] about Is it Memoir or Family History?
Switching Memoirs—Temporarily
I've put aside work on the memoir, My Mother's Money, that I've written several posts about. The opening chapters could do with some revisions, and I don't have many creative thoughts about them right now. I still feel the story is a gripping one, but I need to take a break from it for a bit. In … [Read more...] about Switching Memoirs—Temporarily
Writer’s Remorse
Now that I've sent off those first chapters of My Mother's Money to the interested agent (at least she was interested before she saw the manuscript), I wonder if I could have made it better, stronger, more lyrical and compelling. Probably. But writing, revising, rewriting, editing, proofing, and … [Read more...] about Writer’s Remorse
Who’d Read This Book Anyway?
A dying woman wanting her daughter to find money she's hidden in her house. Three people in mid life finding out that their mother has left them money, but who have little idea where it is? And before they can get some of the money they know is waiting to be claimed by them, it mysteriously gets … [Read more...] about Who’d Read This Book Anyway?
My Mother’s Money, a Memoir of Suspense
While my mother was failing in her later years, she indicated that she wanted me to find some money she had hidden her house. I use the word "indicate" because Mom's stroke had rendered her unable to speak. My siblings and I needed the cash, since Mom was too ill to sign checks to cover her care or … [Read more...] about My Mother’s Money, a Memoir of Suspense