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?
Writing Resources
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
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
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
Talking Memoir with Writing Instructor, Coach, and Publisher Brooke Warner, Part 2
In Part 2 of her interview (below), Brooke Warner discusses She Writes Press's approach to publishing and offers advice to those starting or continuing work on their manuscripts. - Lynette Why do you think She Writes Press is thriving? Does it publish a variety of genres? How does it differ from … [Read more...] about Talking Memoir with Writing Instructor, Coach, and Publisher Brooke Warner, Part 2
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
Writers: BUY . . . THIS . . . BOOK
[Note: I know Diana Raab only through our online connection, and have no relationship with the book’s publisher.] Even though my creative writing and journaling students hint that I browbeat them, I’ve never told them to buy a book. As a rabid supporter of libraries, I typically urge people to … [Read more...] about Writers: BUY . . . THIS . . . BOOK