When I was growing up, my family was working class. But my mother, whose parents had been owners of small businesses, had ambitions for us. My parents, both African Americans from the South, had talked about the past, but my father had always been reserved about his. His parents had died within … [Read more...] about Family Secret Uncovered: A Revelation in (Property) Deeds
baby boomers
Writing “Trove,” a Memoir
My friend Sandra Miller spent years writing and revising her forthcoming memoir, Trove. Below she explains what prompted her to write this story, and how the memoir developed. - Lynette Sandra (above) writes: The idea of finding treasure has been with me since I was little and would search … [Read more...] about Writing “Trove,” a Memoir
Compelling Reasons to Write About Your Life or Your Family
Can’t think of reasons why you should you invest the time or effort to write about your life or your family? Here are just a few reasons to write down stories about your life or your family. To create a record To preserve memories To protect personal and family history from being lost To … [Read more...] about Compelling Reasons to Write About Your Life or Your Family
Memoirist Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D. Wears Many Hats: Part 1
For years, I have admired the work of Linda Joy Myers, prominent author, memoir writing instructor, and founder and president of the National Association of Memoir Writers. She now appears here to share her wisdom and experience with all of you who write and read memoir and family history. - … [Read more...] about Memoirist Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D. Wears Many Hats: Part 1
Memoirist Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D. Wears Many Hats: Part 2
In Part 2 of this post by Linda Joy Myers, prominent author, memoir writing instructor, and founder and president of the National Association of Memoir Writers, she continues to describe her wide ranging work in the field of memoir, both for herself and other memoir writers. - Lynette The … [Read more...] about Memoirist Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D. Wears Many Hats: 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
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
What Keeps Me From Writing? The Fire Within, Part 1
Sitting across from each other in her large, disordered office and wearing almost matching sleeveless dresses, the library director and I ignore the fact that my dress is clinging to my chest and my skin is glazed with perspiration. It’s a breezeless August day, and the air conditioning is on the … [Read more...] about What Keeps Me From Writing? The Fire Within, Part 1