Many of us want to document the stories of our families. This is more than just a genealogy (which is a challenging undertaking in itself, but deals more with family trees than stories). Family history is more likely to be a narrative, that is, stories and memories about members of your family or … [Read more...] about Ideas for Writing Family History
Personal Essays
5 More Pitfalls Awaiting Aspiring Memoir Writers
In my last post, I said I'd provide tips for writing about your family next, but I realized I had a few more memoir writing tips to share with you. I'll post about writing about your family next. Promise. ________________ Last week I posted a few things for aspiring memoir writers (or even more … [Read more...] about 5 More Pitfalls Awaiting Aspiring Memoir Writers
5 Mistakes That Trip Up Budding Memoir Writers
When you begin your memoir, there are important aspects of the writing to keep in mind if you want your audience to find your book engaging. If it's boring, even your nearest and dearest won't bother to plod through it. So here are some mistakes to avoid: Writing your memoir as if it's a report, … [Read more...] about 5 Mistakes That Trip Up Budding Memoir Writers
Hello Again, Memoir and Family History Writers
New posts have been few and far between around here lately, but there are some good reasons for that. First, I’ve been working with a talented copywriter to expand this website to function as more than a blog. With my webmaster, we’re revamping the entire site and making changes based on what … [Read more...] about Hello Again, Memoir and Family History Writers
What Kind of Personal Essays Do You Like?
Since I write personal essays and teach that subject to my writing students, I give a good deal of thought to that nonfiction genre. What is a personal essay? A narrative personal essay? A reflective (or contemplative) personal essay. And which type do publishers prefer today? If you write short … [Read more...] about What Kind of Personal Essays Do You Like?
5 Most Popular Memoir/Family History Writing Posts
In case you're flailing about in search of advice, direction, or even general information on writing about your life or your family, the articles linked below can help you. (Just click on the titles that appear in bold green font.) They were all originally published on this web site. In a short … [Read more...] about 5 Most Popular Memoir/Family History Writing Posts
Memoir, Life Story Writing, Family History Survey Results
I hope you all received your free Tip Sheet—the gift for filling out my survey of those who write memoir, stories from their lives, or family history. And I hope you found the advice contained in the tips useful enough to put into practice. Here’s Who Took The Survey The overwhelming number of … [Read more...] about Memoir, Life Story Writing, Family History Survey Results
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