Memoir Authors discussion
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Quite so Nina. Thanks for sharing. I think we tend to mature as grieves mostly.
Suzanne wrote: "Nina. Thanks for your kind words about the loss of my daughter. Just yesterday she paid me an angelic visit suggesting I buy a pickle ornament for our Xmas tree. Done! With a smile!"Suzanne,
HE works in mysterious ways. What a blessing!
Suzanne wrote: "Question memoir friends: Does it help or hinder your process as you write to read other memoirs?"How could it hinder? of course it helps.
Kate wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Question memoir friends: Does it help or hinder your process as you write to read other memoirs?"How could it hinder? of course it helps."
Absolutely!
Everyone,Wishing you a Happy Friday. May you enjoy your coming weekend!
I'm so thankful for each and every one of you in this circle.
Kate wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Question memoir friends: Does it help or hinder your process as you write to read other memoirs?"How could it hinder? of course it helps."
Absolutely helps. Gives you ideas on what works for you and what doesn't, in my experience. I highly recommend it. But don't stick with only memoir...read fiction, poetry, and anything written well, and particularly in a style you identify with. Critical in my mind, especially during revision.
Shannon wrote: "Kate wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Question memoir friends: Does it help or hinder your process as you write to read other memoirs?"How could it hinder? of course it helps."
Absolutely helps. Gives yo..."
Yep, that works too . . . a variety!
Hi! I'm Sherry Thomas. Five years ago a distracted driver came into my lane and hit me head-on. I am working on journal entries which will help outline my memoir. It will be nice to chat and meet everyone.
Hello Sherry:'Tis a pleasure to meet your acquaintance. I too am an author . . . wrote a non-fiction memoir. Published under the imprint of Writelife, and scheduled for release April 5, 2016. My journey started out as a journal as well, and not as a storybook of characters.
Sorry to hear that about you. But glad you made it through the journey to speak about it.
Nina, the author
Yes or No, do you consider an obit a memoir?(If not I need to leave for a broader minded group)
Hello All,My name is Jennifer and today I learned how to use word doc to create family tree. So I feel somewhat accomplished. There's just so much to learn and it can be daunting!
I have just read a few books that are promoted in the genre of memoir. IMHO, they don't fit my understanding of memoir.Perhaps there should be some definitions of what make a memoir a memoir, or, in other words, what are the CHARACTERISTICS of memoir.
Marilyn wrote: "I have just read a few books that are promoted in the genre of memoir. IMHO, they don't fit my understanding of memoir.Perhaps there should be some definitions of what make a memoir a memoir, or,..."
From the Oxford Canadian Dictionary of Modern English: Memoir-(1) a written account of one's memory of certain events or people. (2) a historical account or biography written from personal knowledge....
Does this help? This is not saying that a biography/autobiography do not have a somewhat different definition- That being a written account of a person's life- either by themselves (auto) or someone else (bio) not simply a portion there of.
J.P. wrote: "Marilyn wrote: "I have just read a few books that are promoted in the genre of memoir. IMHO, they don't fit my understanding of memoir.Perhaps there should be some definitions of what make a memo..."
Well put. I see you are a scholar, sir.
But over the last decades another previously unknown category has appeared: the 'Misery Memoir - and it's great.
I am well aware of the defined definition of memoir, but some authors are bending the rules. I have been involved in classes and critique groups on memoir, and there are distinct characteristics of what makes a memoir a memoir. With the availability of self publication, people are listing their books as memoir when they are not memoirs but rather self help. This blurring of the lines could create problems for the future of memoir.
Marilyn wrote: "I am well aware of the defined definition of memoir, but some authors are bending the rules. I have been involved in classes and critique groups on memoir, and there are distinct characteristics of..."Just as there is a fine line between non-fiction and creative non-fiction, as such with self help and memoir, there is no reason it cannot be both. The same as auto-biography being published as memoir, again there is no reason it cannot be published as both. This is dependent on which market you are trying to reach, what the goal of your publication is, and lastly the way in which it has been written. Certainly it is a fine line and is open to each individual interpretation of those lines.
My second memoir which I am busy writing has an element of self-help. At least, I share about what I found worked for me in my life and others may choose (or not) to use some of the information for themselves. I believe it is still a memoir though.
Hi all! You will recognize me as Lynne Farley! I am the author of Torn Between Two Worlds (A Mother's Love) I wrote my memoir hoping to help other abused victims but my story also touches on many other issues we are all faced with in our life time. I look forward to meeting friends who understand the reasons for writing a memoir but also I would really appreciate any advice to know how I can get reviews on my book. Thank you in advance.
Stephen wrote: "Hey, guys! I just did a TV interview down in Alabama on a program called 'Veterans Issues' about my military memoir, "MEANTIME." If ya'll want to check it out, here's the link: http://www.youtube.c..."Awesome interview, Stephen!
I'm unable to find that interview using the link you provided. Please include the ENTIRE link. I'm interested in hearing your interview!
I am writing my second memoir, and I have a question from the other memoirists here. If I decide to fictionalized some of the dialogue in my book (not the content or the actual events) how do I account for that in the description of my book?
I am writing my second memoir, and I have a question from the other memoirists here. If I decide to fictionalized some of the dialogue in my book (not the content or the actual events) how do I account for that in the description of my book? Please help. Thanks
Nancy wrote: "I am writing my second memoir, and I have a question from the other memoirists here. If I decide to fictionalized some of the dialogue in my book (not the content or the actual events) how do I ac..."
Of course you have to write fictionalised dialogue. No one can ever remember exactly what was said.
Read the the dialogues of famous ones alone - Bill Bryson, Patrick Leigh Fermour, Peter Mayle, Gerald Durrel etc
Nancy wrote: "I am writing my second memoir, and I have a question from the other memoirists here. If I decide to fictionalized some of the dialogue in my book (not the content or the actual events) how do I ac..."
Anthony wrote: "Nancy wrote: "I am writing my second memoir, and I have a question from the other memoirists here.
If I decide to fictionalized some of the dialogue in my book (not the content or the actual event..."
Thanks, Anthony. I was really more concerned as to whether I need to notate that somewhere at the beginning or on the cover of the book
At the beginning of the book, in an author's note, write something like: "The events in this story are true to the best of my memory. In some cases I have to create dialogue for creative purposes, but it will be true to the intention and meaning of the people in the conversation." Nancy: No one can remember a conversation that happened yesterday, or even this morning, word-for-word, much less one that occurred years ago. A disclaimer as above shows you're being honest to the best of your memory. I added a phrase like that at the start of my memoir, but I also have letters and diaries I can quote verbatim.
Thanks, Linda. This is very much appreciated.
Hi, Everyone. I'm a former book publisher, educator, and multiple-award-winning author of 8 books. For the first time, I'm offering a giveaway of paperback Advance Reader Copies of Selling the Farm which won the 2019 C&R Press Nonfiction Award and will ship 09/15/20. A limited number is available to those who complete a Reader Survey and qualify for the giveaway. Those selected to receive the book are under no further obligation. Importantly, your information remains private; I will not sell, share or otherwise disseminate. If you're interested, please go to: Reader Survey
Selling the Farm
Hello. I am writing a memoir, and am not a published author.
Linda wrote: "At the beginning of the book, in an author's note, write something like: "The events in this story are true to the best of my memory. In some cases I have to create dialogue for creative purposes, ..."Great points Linda!
Memoir Authors
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For me, it's rather comforting. Everyone's journey is different, still they've walked a journey.
After going through a traumatic experience, one may never be fully healed. It's been spoken that "time heals all wounds." Heck, no matter how old the wounds are, I CAN'T agree with that. I believe I may never be HEALED. But, every day I'm learning to cope. My journey happened some time ago and I'm still struggling through the aftereffects.