I sit here on the patio gazing across the yard at the little stream, the birds hopping and playing and the squirrels chasing each other. While I still have to wear my jacket to be warm enough, I think spring is finally on her way. At this time last week, we had a Winter Storm [...]
It happens. It’s so easy to get lost in the world of learning about memoir. All the wonderful books that teach you about writing. There are books that address every aspect of writing and specific genres. Books about dialog, plot, scene building, organizing your memories, finding your theme, getting your book published, finding an agent, [...]
I stumbled onto a blog post written by Kristen Lamb when I followed a link from the #Memoir Writing daily paper to a recent post of hers. Let me just say, I read through the first post, went and refilled my coffee carafe and then proceeded to drink in all the knowledge (along with the [...]
I just finished re-reading Plot & Structure, by James Scott Bell. Besides being an awesome writers resource, he goes deeper. He shares some of his own problems and solutions to writing a novel. Now, granted, this book is geared toward fiction writers but much of it can be adapted to work in the memoir genre. [...]
A memoir is a slice of your life — a day, a weekend, a year, 10 years — a portion that has a theme. That makes you the main character, the protagonist. However, the theme of your story — the reason you are writing it — is not you.You are simply the manifestation or vehicle [...]
I read an awesome article that was in included in my paper.li Memoir Writing paper and just had to pass it along. I found myself at Meghan Ward’s blog titled Writerland. The article is 5 Things I’ve Learned About Memoir Writing. (I know that’s a lot of links, but I want to give credit where [...]
I read a lot — fiction, non-fiction, journalism, blogs, etc… My husband asked me how I decide if a book (blog or article) is truly good. I told him it was probably different for every person but how I know I’ve read a truly good book (article or blog) is the mind movies they bring [...]
Somehow I missed this post: Talker’s Block back in September of last year. I found it today. I like to read Seth Godin’s blog. His true to life advice, successes, laced with his dry humor always make me think (and laugh). Rather than try to paraphrase, reading it straight from his blog will ensure the message [...]
Yes — Valentine’s Day. What if you gave a piece of yourself to your Valentine this year? Get your feet wet or practice up your story-telling skills by writing to your Valentine this year. Giving special people in your life a short story of a special memory is an excellent way to give of yourself [...]
Memoir writing and fiction writing are similar in form. Obviously, the difference being a story about something that actually happened versus something completely made up. For publishing, there are a lot of similarities as well. Staying out of the rejection pile is hard work. Heeding advice from publishers and agents should be at the top [...]
Life seems so much easier with a plan. Slow, comfortable and expected is a way of life for some people. However, my life has never been that way — I wouldn’t know what to do if it was! Fate, Karma and Luck have always had a lot of fun with me. If nothing else, I’m [...]
Memoir Writing There are literally thousands of memoir writing resources out there on the web. Whether they are sites, books or classes, sifting through them can be a bit mind boggling. Below are a few of my favorite resources that I thought I would share. I hope you find them as useful and helpful as [...]
Showing and Telling in Memoir In fiction writing, the first rule of thumb is “Show, don’t tell”. Narrative non-fiction (memoir writing) is a unique genre in that it combines showing and telling. You have to use a combination of both in order to get your story across to the reader but lean toward showing whenever [...]
Natalie Goldberg and Lou Willett Stanek agree that “I Remember” are the magic words for memoir writers. This means you can do your research from an easy chair — close your eyes and say “I Remember”. What comes to mind? What’s first and what comes next. The mind doesn’t always work in linear fashion. One [...]
One of the great things about life is all the choices we are able to make everyday. One of the bad things about life is all the choices we are able to make everyday. Contradiction? Sure. True? Sure. Writing, for me, is a way to get my thoughts and feelings out. It’s therapeutic, cleansing and helps [...]
I just finished writing a review of one of my all time favorite books about writing memoir: Writing Your Life: Putting Your Past on Paper by Lou Willett Stanek, PhD. I found it quite by accident one day in my local bookstore. I had been browsing the reference books for writing tips and books about [...]
Are you a writer – memoir or otherwise? Then, you must check out Extreme Writing Now Network. It is where to be if you write, want to write or just need some support for your love of the craft. The overview is, in their own words: “a social network dedicated to all writers; including bloggers, [...]
The great thing about memoir is you don’t open your life story with a history of your family tree. With memoir, you get to begin “in medias res” or in the middle of things. Think of a house. Your life is represented by the whole house. The stories that make up your life are the parts [...]
It’s funny, in this technology ridden world, I still prefer to curl up with my spiral notebook, a pencil and coffee or a coke to write. I write a rough draft and then refine it as I type it in the computer. I know this is redundant and would be faster if I just typed [...]
Hi there! Welcome to my Writing Life Story blog. Putting your experiences and stories down on paper is one of my passions.
If you are interested in writing life story too, join me on the journey of discovery, learning and the how-to's of memoir writing. Check back often and comments are always welcome.
Mandee
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I have written all my life — some poetry, some personal essay, some memoir stories (longer than essay). I enjoy reading non-fiction as well as fiction. Life is about learning
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