Archive for February, 2010
Memoir Labyrinth, Write Through Series: No. 2
The story you will write, from the maze of your memories into memoir, will come from the truth as you see it. Time and memory transform what and how we remember.
Time is a great leveler. Time levels because it allows us to gain control over our emotions and we mature. Our feelings simmer down after time dilutes the memory of an emotion laden incident. An event we once thought was earth-shattering won’t hold as much power the further we move away from it.
Do you remember how horrified you were when your mother walked into your junior high classroom in “that outfit?” You were embarrassed down to your shiny little magenta toe nails. You wanted to disappear, crawl under your desk – definitely wanted to have nothing to do with that ridiculous looking woman who says she’s your mother. Now you’re older and wiser; you laugh as you remember that incident with fondness and a touch of lingering OMG. You realize she was only there to deliver your costume – the one she’d stayed up all night sewing for you so you’d be ready for dress rehearsal after school.
And now this memory brings to mind her skill as a seamstress. She may have been very good at stitching or you may remember that one shelve of that costume was three inches longer than the other. Either way, you’ll weave this part of your mother’s character into a bio-vignette or longer memoir. Your view today, of both your mother and the event, will be markedly different from that day long ago when she walked into your classroom wearing that “how could you come to my school dressed like that” with your leading-lady dress over her arm.
THE STORY WOMAN ASKS YOU TO WRITE A SHORT, TRUE MEMOIR ABOUT YOUR MOTHER OR ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE.
Memoir Labyrinth, Write Through It – No. 1
Writing a memoir is like making one’s way through a maze. First of all, it’s hard to back away from life’s events and experiences to see them clearly. The honest attempt to put our ego and emotions aside is something we, TellTale Souls, constantly work on when writing our bio-vignettes that capture the character and spirit of our mothers or other significant people in our lives.
This is today’s reminder for all of us who write memoir – or don’t write, for that matter. To take this one step further, even after we’ve back away to get a better view of the events or experiences we’re writing about, the way in which we remember them will also differ greatly from the way someone else “clearly” remembers these same incidents.
Listen to what others say, if it’s important to you to do so. Their reflections could nudge additional memories out into your consciousness. But realize that what you see clearly is your truth, at least for today, and rely on that without second guessing.
More short tips and thoughts to come…
THE STORY WOMAN ASKS YOU TO WRITE A SHORT, TRUE MEMOIR ABOUT YOUR MOTHER OR ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT PERSON IN YOUR LIFE.
Memoir Writers’ Labyrinth
Well, I’m still coming up for air after the wild weekend at the San Francisco Writers’ Conference. I spent a great deal of time “manning” the Women’s National Book Association’s table, where I made connections with many, many interesting literary types from all over the country.
The conference was atop Nob Hill at the historic Mark Hopkins Hotel. Just a block away, draped in morning fog and by 
afternoon crowned by the brilliance of azure skies, stood magnificent Grace Cathedral, where I walked the famous labyrinth each day to get some air and quiet time for thoughtful reflection.
The conference menu boasted several memoir sessions. I was lucky enough to attend two of them: “Capturing your Life on the Page – Writing Memoirs that Sell” with Adair Lara, author of Naked, Drunk, and Writing; and “Doing an Anthology” with Victoria Zackheim, author of The Face in the Mirror. Both sessions were outstanding – full of tips and ideas from both bestselling authors.
More observations on writing memoir to come in the next day or two. In the meantime, The Story Woman reminds you to write Mother Memoir as only you can do it!
San Francisco Writers Conference 2010
Click on link at the bottom of this post to go direct to SFWC website – I highly recommend this one-of-a-kind conference.
SAN FRANCISCO WRITERS CONFERENCE ADDS A PRECONFERENCE DAY WITH IN-DEPTH FULL & HALF-DAY SESSIONS ON FEB. 11TH, 2010
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Small Classes, In-depth Topics Taught by Top-Rated Presenters Allows Writers to Learn Even More at One of the Country’s Best Writers Conference!
If you want to start attending the SFWC a day early (or for those who can’t attend the full 3-day main conference), the San Francisco Writers Conference has launched a full day of sessions on the day BEFORE the conference officially starts. “Several of our most popular presenters have agreed to launch the San Francisco Writers University with special SFWC PRECONFERENCE sessions on Thursday, February 11th,” said Elizabeth Pomada, SFWC Co-Director. For details and online registration: www.SFWriters.org
What is different about THESE sessions? They are intimate…about 25 people getting to interact with the presenter for more project-specific help. These sessions will be in-depth—full day or half-day in length. As you can see below, the preconference day will feature a wide range of the most popular topics from the San Francisco Writers Conference.
The preconference sessions are open to the public. They are stand-alone sessions and attendees can chose one or more depending on their schedules, budgets and interest. Attendance at the Main Conference is not required.
DONALD MAASS—Imagine a FULL DAY with this top New York literary agent as he conducts this intensive session on “WRITING THE BREAKOUT NOVEL”. Much more personalized attention than any other session Donald gives. Full day session
SHELDON SIEGEL & ROBERT DUGONI will be “PUTTING THE THRILL IN THRILLER WRITING” during their session. Two (yes, TWO!) N.Y.Times bestselling authors show you how it’s done…so you can do it, too! Half Day- Afternoon.
KATHARINE SANDS—One of our most popular sessions…ever…“PITCHCRAFT!” You MUST know how to pitch your book in order to get it sold. Katharine is the one to get you and your book pitch-perfect. Half Day- Afternoon.
STEPHANIE CHANDLER—knows all about using all the online tools available to writers, so learn from the master. “CREATING YOUR ONLINE PLATFORM”. Half Day-Afternoon.
LISA RECTOR MAASS conducts this intensive session–”THE 3RD DRAFT—Giving Your Novel that Last, Final Polish, after You Think It’s Finished”.Lisa will work with you to give your manuscript clarity and make it irresistible. It’s just what you needed! Half Day Morning.
JULIE SALISBURY, founder of Inspire-A-Book will conduct “DRESSING YOUR BOOK FOR SUCCESS: How to Make Your Nonfiction Book Unique”. Julie will share proven techniques and lots of feedback on your project. Half Day Morning.
MICHAEL LARSEN—He wrote the bible for nonfiction writers—“HOW TO WRITE A BOOK PROPOSAL”. He knows what it takes to present your book project and this session will help you finally get that proposal written. Half Day-Morning.
A ‘Full Day’ Registration fee is $300.00 and a ‘Half Day’ Session Registration is $149.00. Morning sessions run from 9AM until Noon. Afternoon sessions run from 1PM until 4PM. Lunch is not included. All 2010 San Francisco Writers Conference attendees get to deduct $50 from their Preconference Registration total. For more details on these sessions or the San Francisco Writers Conference, go to www.SFWriters.org.
