Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir

by Lisa Dale Norton

Rich, funny, and moving personal narratives depend on a few key moments in time to anchor the story and give it impact. Shimmering Images teaches the aspiring memoirist how to locate key memories using Lisa's technique for finding, linking, and fleshing out those vibrant recollections of important moments and situations.

Shimmering Images will
*the difference between memoir and autobiography
*how to claim your voice
*the art of storytelling
*honesty, truth, and compassion in writing
*authentic dialogue and the need for specificity

Readers will learn how to craft a short piece of narrative nonfiction grounded in their core memories and master a technique they can use over and over again for writing other narratives.

A must-have book for anyone who has treasured Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott or Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Memoir, Crafts

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 5, 2008

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd consider this slim volume a "must have" for anyone interested in writing Memoir -- it might be just the book to inspire you to begin writing.

It has been said that it is also a "must have" for anyone who treasures Annie Lamott's, Bird by Bird (as I do), or Natalie Goldberg's, Writing Down the Bones.

[Robby Hamlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first books about writing that I read. The title of - a shimmering image - removed whatever doubts I had about my desire to concentrate on memoir - to h___no one will care what I have to say about my time here on earth. That's just mother talking...

[Linda Judd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book on how to write a memoir. The author has shown how to prepare your thinking to dovetail right into the heart of your story. How to pick one story out of the hundreds that make up your life. Once you get the hang of how to see the images of your life in your mind, writing time speeds up. You actually shorten the time it takes to write and develop your stories.

[Julia Bucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

"As you write, you open yourself to the possibility there are secrets you don't even know yet. As you write, you open yourself to the possibility that you will discover something unseen behind the Shimmering Images, some notion, some heartstring that will launch you into greater awareness about what your collected memories really do mean."

[Ann Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sweet, supportive voice of Lisa Dale Norton shines throughout this book, helping authors every step of the way. Her proposals for outlining, drafting, and editing a memoir are simple, but demanding. What if, for example, I asked you to make a time line of your life, highlighting the major turning points, vivid memories—shimmering images? This simple but somehow daunting task serves to take the writer outside of herself so she can write with some objectivity. Everyone's life is interesting to the person living it. How can it be made interesting to someone else? Ms. Norton would never phrase that question so harshly, she would nudge you to come to that realization yourself.

Writers may have their own techniques for creating a memoir, but no matter how they work, the suggestions made in this book will make that work easier.

[Karah Spahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earlier this summer, I took a memoir writing class-- where they referenced this book. While I don't have an intention of writing a memoir to be published, I love the idea of writing a memoir to leave for my family but I'm not sure what that would even look like. This book helped clarify some of that for me. Norton's ideas about "shimmering images"-- those memories that pop into our heads with complete clarity-- were very helpful. She also provides helpful tools for writing and structure and where to go from here. If you've ever wanted to write a memoir for yourself, for your family, for the public, but didn't know where to begin, this is a fantastic book to pick up.

[Bonni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just what the subtitle suggests—a handy little guide to writing memoir. It’s clear, succinct, and packed with helpful tips. It’s a quick read, so you can get back to writing. And it’s positive and inspiring, so you’re not overwhelmed. I would like to keep this one on my bookshelf for future reference.

[Tameka A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before this, I hadn’t read a book that made me want to start writing right away. Norton made things easy; digestible! She was incredible in the way she explained techniques. I started reading memories differently and understand why certain memoirs were unenjoyable (the blame game). I recommend this so much!

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and to the point. This book gives useful tips for approaching memoir writing. What I will say is that the author is super specific about the brainstorming and writing process. While it’s always fascinating to learn how another writer creates, keep in mind that what works for her might not work for you, and that’s okay.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very short, very easy guide to writing an excellent memoir. It focuses on the idea of a shimmering image, defined as "a memory that rises in your consciousness like a photograph pulsing with meaning." The author offers a structure for the memoir, a way to "go on a journey with a character who explores a segment of his life." To get started, the memoirist chooses a slice of her life to focus on. Then she identifies the source of the problem in her life. The shimmering images that take place during that slice of life are the key elements of the story.

[Holli Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exactly what the subtitle said it'd be... a handy little guide to writing memoir. This title was a surprisingly quick read with direct, practical advice on tackling your memoir including step by step exercises to transform a collection of memories into a cohesive story.

[Kristi Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, helpful & accessible

Loved the practical tips, the encouragement and the accessibility of this book. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for tips on how to capture the images of their life.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a great help for writing your memoir. I hope to take it up again should the desire to write my memoir resurface.

[Charles McCaffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone thinking about writing a memoir!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slim but solid and insightful volume on memoir writing. Gave me a lot of wonderful ideas for getting organized and figuring out a focus for my story.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This “handy little guide to writing memoir” did include some useful ideas and information, but I found the flowery language and very long sentences distracting.

[Andrea E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I regularly use the concepts in this book to keep my writing flow going. It's a book I've shared with my writing group.

[Lisa Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for writers wanting to write their memoir! It has some helpful tools and guides you through the process.

[Caitlin Jascewsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid, valuable advice and shifts in ways of thinking

[Jessica (thebluestocking) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from the publisher. All content and opinions are my own.

Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir is a short little book full of useful advice and instruction. A “shimmering image” is “a memory that rises in your consciousness like a photograph pulsing with meaning.” Norton defines these as the bedrock of memoir and endeavors to help you mine them from your life.

The book is divided into three parts: (I) The Ideas Behind the Process; (II) The Process; and (III) The Tools To Craft the Process. Norton is pithy and succinct. She makes her point and moves on, which is particularly refreshing in a book about writing. Norton provides useful several techniques and exercises to help you write and revise your memories.

Though I don’t have any plans to write a memoir, I enjoyed this little book and would recommend it to those who have an itch to write about their lives.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across Lisa Dale Norton's memoir handbook at my local library. For some time now, I've had a story within me that I want to release. Ny reading this book, I've been given a few steps I can choose to use and repeat to get my creative juices flowing. What Norton does is simply give you advice on how to organize your thoughts and stay inspired through your writing process.

Don't go into this thinking you will finish a memoir by the time you finish it. I read it, followed some of her steps (not all perfectly), and then finished the rest of the book. It helped me unlock some memories, find a start, and get motivation. There is good advice offered, but after the book it's up to you to keep writing.

It's a very easy read, quick to finish. I think it's a must-read to any aspiring memoirist. It may not be a memoir-writing bible, but it's worth taking in.

[loafingcactus · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY PRACTICAL. Through working on my book I had developed the skills she discusses in the book, but for someone just dreaming of starting a memoir this would be a great book to read to get step 1, 2, 3, etc. of how to make it really happen.

Chapter 12, structure, is perhaps the weakest in that she really only hands you one possible structure and doesn't give you any skills to develop organic structures for your book, on the other hand, having that one structure does not over-complicate things. If you just do what she says, you WILL get a book done.

Edit: Knocking this up a star because I have since read several other memoir writing books and I keep coming back to this one as being the most useful and practical.

[Dnicebear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms Norton helps me to find my freedoms in writing memoir and to practice allowing the heart of memories to shimmer better than movies. And why wouldn't everyone want to attempt this storytelling? "Stories order chaos and make sense of our lives. In the process, the story has a magical way of answering old questions and transforming random events into meaning you can carry into the future with grace." Note the word "little" in the title, and, feel the power of Ms Norton's focus. Oh for such a wise mentor!

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book upset me.

It's good, but it upset me. Because it asked me to write in a completely different way than I ever have before: to turn off my 'editor mind.' And I don't know how to do that. Some of the exercises made me genuinely anxious. I snapped at my boyfriend when I got home after finishing it on the bus. It kind of made me want to never write again.

But that kind of reaction, my friends, is the mark of something important, at the very least.

Will read again. Maybe trying the work this time.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently reading and doing the exercises in this book. Interesting approach to writing. Will probably have to buy this book as I have twice renewed it and haven't gotten very far. Not setting aside the time needed to do each step. Good book though.

Renewed this so many times I took it back to the library. Never got around to doing the exercises. Still thinking I'll buy it. Nice slim workbook on writing vivid memoirs, which is one style I like. And I have a book to produce one day.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Dale Norton offers a method to anyone wanting to write a memoir. I found her method interesting and am applying it to my own memoir in progress. I think that any writer of fiction could read this short concise work to learn how to reach their muse and let the pieces of a long work lead the writer.

I found this book via a blogpost by literary agent Janet Reid. A great source and inspiration.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are thinking about writing a memoir but you are not sure what to do first, this book is a great starting point that is full of helpful brainstorming and writing activities that will help you to get organized. However, I did not find chapters 16-20 as useful as the first 15, and there is no chapter about the art of recreating dialogue.

[Lindsey Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

i'd really give it a 4.5. it was a great start for me, i'd recommend it to anyone thinking of writing a memoir, especially if you don't have much more than a vague idea. (the reason i didn't give it the full 5 stars is that there were chapters that i had already figured out by the time i found the book) other than that it was a tremendous help to me!

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply one of my favorite “how-to” books on writing because it is exactly what it says it is, a handy little guide. Addresses both the art and craft of writing. Compels the writer to want to tell truth, but compassionately. Her exploration of how to get to the essential heart of a story by building on powerful images applies to writing in every genre.

[Gay Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa Morton presents an easy-to-do program to help the hesitant writer find the buried stories just waiting to be written. I did just a quick read-through but intend to use her method to dig out those 'shimmering images' that are begging to be written about.