Post #104 – Memoir Writing News – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
February 1, 8am PST, Get Inspired (in Your Life and Your Memoir Writing)
If you’ve been following us this week, then you know that February 1, 2014 is “L” Day — Launch Day — for Seasons of Our Lives
So for 53 hours (until noon on February 3), you can get all 4 ebooks for less than the cost of one at regular prices.
And what do you get in these four ebooks? There are 100 inspiring life stories for you to enjoy and use to reflect on your own life. And interested in memoir writing? Then you’ll also like the 100 mini-lessons (or what Kendra and I call takeaways), one after each memoir vignette. Each one gives you suggestions for ways to become a better memoir writer.
Live in a different timezone?
The special pricing begins:
6 am, Hawaii Standard Time
8 am, Pacific Standard Time
9 am, Mountain Standard Time
10 am, Central Standard Time
11 am, Eastern Standard Time
53 hours goes by quickly. Using Pacific Standard Time, here’s Amazon’s Countdown deal:
February 1 8 am $ .99 each Discount = 76%
February 3 1 pm $1.99 each Discount = 51%
February 5 6 pm $2.99 each Discount = 26%
February 7 11 pm $3.99 each Retail Price
On Wednesday, we promised you:
All three are below. Here goes:
If you like Sarah White’s story, we hope you’ll go to Amazon to take advantage of our special pricing. Seasons of Our Lives
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR SEASONS OF OUR LIVES: SPRING
Introduction by Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett
I. SPRING MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD
Journey to America by Phyllis Mattson
1945 by Sharon Miller
Cut the Cake by Deborah Gilson
Spring’s Surprise in July by Cynthia Briggs
Montreal Spring by Janet Caplan
The Spring Snowball Fight by Sabine Naus
Spring Chickens by Shirley Pugh Thomson
The Spring of 1942 by Kristiane McKee Maas
II. SPRING STORIES OF COMING OF AGE
Innocence by Nancy Pogue LaTurner
A Special Sibling by Nancy Julien Kopp
Remember by Robin Sherwood Moore
Spring Dances by Kathleen Hewitt
Pink Pearls of Wisdom by Sara Etgen-Baker
III. SPRING MEMORIES OF ADULT YEARS
As Time Runs Out by Susan Payne
Being from Boston by Cynthia Close
And a Child was Born by Linda Austin
No Green Thumb Here…Yet! by Lucille Joyner
Haphazard Gardener by Nancy Obermueller
Unexpected Pleasure by Linda Greeley
Letter to Roland by Iris Gersh
Down Home for Decoration Day by Lisa Libowitz
Esther’s Easter by Marcy N. Jubach
A Spring Tale by Micki Peluso
Army Green by Robin Dake
IV. SPRING MEMORIES OF AGING AND REFLECTING ON THE PASSAGE OF TIME
Who’s Looking Anyway? by Trudi Goodman
Spring Sorrow by Mairi Neil
Springtime Herald Mother Memories by Laureen Elaine Andrews
White Carnations and Buried Answers by Patricia Higbie
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR SEASONS OF OUR LIVES: SUMMER
Introduction by Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett
I. SUMMER MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD
Elsewhere Cove by Heather A.A. Menzies
Double-Dip, Please by Nancy Ilk
Longest Day of the Year by Kathy Wallace
A Summer Fish Tale by Janet Caplan
Furry Comfort by Ronda Armstrong
Paradise Mixed by Cathy Bryant
By the Seat of Our Pants by Cynthia Briggs
Take Your Marks by Cathie Borrie
Driving with Dad by Nancy Julien Kopp
II. SUMMER MEMORIES OF COMING OF AGE
Imagining the Innocence of a Summer Day by Joanne Jagoda
Green as Grass by Nancy Pogue LaTurner
Make Love Not War by Sarah White
First Love by Maria Ruiz
III. SUMMER MEMORIES OF OUR ADULT YEARS
Prom Truths by Cynthia F. Davidson
Moosewood Recalled by Judith Newton
A Small Accident of Epic Proportion by Christine Houser
Salty June Nights by Kathleen Hewitt
IV. SUMMER MEMORIES FROM LATER YEARS
Two Days in Purgatory by Kathe Campbell
Echoes of His Mind by Sara Etgen-Baker
V. SUMMER MEMORIES OF PERSEVERANCE
Independence by Donna Lancaster
For the Love of the Game by Rebekah Varin
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR SEASONS OF OUR LIVES: AUTUMN
Introduction by Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett
Witch Hazel’s Brew by Kendra Bonnett
I. AUTUMN MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD
To Oz? Yes. To Oz! by Sara Etgen-Baker
Guising and Galoshens by Mairi Neil
Indian Summer by Suzanne Marriott
Costume Accessory by Catherine Lanser
Druce Lake Camp 1953 by Johnine M. Simpson
Color Me Fall by Patricia Higbie
Cheerleader Envy by Laurie Snow Turner
Halloween Redeemed by Nancy Pogue LaTurner
A Trick or Treat Bag of Fear by Sherrey Meyer
Harvesting Pecans by Sara Etgen-Baker
II. AUTUMN MEMORIES OF COMING OF AGE
Labor Day Pains by Keryn Rose
Memories, Home, and Chicken Pie by Ronda Armstrong
Turkey Jerky for Thanksgiving Dinner by Cynthia Briggs
Finding the River by Patiana McMahon
III. AUTUMN MEMORIES OF ADULT YEARS
The Season that Changed Me Forever by Jennifer H. Moyer
The Unique Fall Interview by JC Sullivan
The Slamming Door by Linda Hoagland
IV. AUTUMN MEMORIES AND GRATITUDE
The Turkey Hat by Francine Garson
Cloak of Gratitude by Kathleen Hewitt
The Hope of Autumn by Katherine Lutes
Hooking My Way to Fame by Kathe Campbell
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR SEASONS OF OUR LIVES: WINTER
Introduction by Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett
I. WINTER MEMORIES: A STATE OF MIND
Water Wheels by Sallie Moffitt
My Mother was an Okie by Beth Proudfoot
In Search of Winter by Elisabeth Bertol
A Wild Winter’s Eve by Judy Lee Dunn
Shooting Star by Colleen Floyd
The Bells of Sunshine by Donna Mary Larkin
Parting Ways by Yvette Green
II. WINTER MEMORIES: THE SEASON, THE SNOW
The Window and the Snowman by Pamela Williamson
The Sleepover of 1951 by Sherrey Meyer
A Winter’s Tale by Mairi Neil
The Blizzard of ’78 by Chana Shavelson
Falling Through by Arlene Pervin
Season of Procrastination by JC Sullivan
Forced to Pause by Liwen Y. Ho
III. WINTER MEMORIES: HAPPY BIRTHDAY
My Sister’s Birthday by Valarie King
Passage into Elderhood by Janet Grace Riehl
IV. WINTER MEMORIES: TUGS AT THE HEART
Chocolate Kisses by Kathe Campbell
Little Girl Love by Kathleen Hewitt
Small Claims Court by Gale Henshel
Motherless Child by Nancy Pogue LaTurner
V. WINTER MEMORIES: HOLIDAY SEASON
The 1958 Christmas Tree by Mary Edge
Spindly Excuse for a Christmas Tree by Patricia D. Higbie
Christmas Helicopter by Sara Etgen-Baker
A Christmas Story, 1944 by Maria Ruiz
The Snow I Never Touched by Barbara Bottini
The Gift by Kathe Campbell
Pease, Please: A Christmas Present by Donna DeWeerd
The Poinsettia Christmas by Ronda Armstrong
Nana’s Kjod Kater by Cindy Wilber
What Readers of Seasons of Our Lives Are Saying
It is true that each woman is a story waiting to be told—and in this outstanding collection of memoirs you’ll find many wonderful women’s stories. It is also true that each woman’s story is everywoman’s story, for we share so many of the same experiences. As I read these stories [in Seasons of Our Lives], I am reading bits and pieces from my own life, and I am inspired to write my own with a more passionate and compassionate heart. I hope you are, too. ~Susan Wittig Albert, bestselling author of Writing from Life, New York Times bestselling series China Bayles, two memoirs, An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days and Together, Alone: A Memoir of Marriage and Place, and the nonfiction book A Wilder Rose.
Seasons of Our Lives, a compilation of memoirists’ vignettes, brings poignant stories of history and nostalgia to the reader, as well as writing observations and lessons for the author in everyone. Seasons of our Lives is sure to be another award-winning work from the dynamic duo of Butler and Bonnett. ~Judy Sheer Watters, author of The Road Home: The Legacy that was, is and is to Come
A summer’s bouquet of award–winning stories that engage, inspire, and also teach. Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett’s “takeaways” on each piece illuminate the modes of thought and specific techniques that make each story work. A delight for anyone who enjoys compelling stories as well as a handbook for those who desire to tell or write their own. I’m proud to be included in Seasons of Our Lives: Summer. ~Judith Newton, Professor Emerita, UC Davis, Women and Gender Studies, award-winning food memoir author, Tasting Home
The stories in Seasons of Our Lives collectively sparkle like facets of a crystal chandelier. Each enjoyable, thought-provoking story is told in an authentic voice that reads like a letter from a friend. But these are no ordinary anthologies. The editors’ insightful remarks at the end of each piece turn the volumes into uniquely powerful writing texts for students of memoir. ~Sharon Lippincott, life writing coach and author of Adventures of a Chilehead, The Heart and Craft of Writing Compelling Description, and more.
Each Seasons Of Our Lives volume is a treasure trove filled with life experiences crafted into memoir and offered as gifts to the reader by the women who lived them. Take time to savor each story, then go deeper and examine the literary tools used by the editors Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett in their takeaway/mini-lesson at the end of each piece. With suggestions and prompts for those seeking to tell the stories of their own lives, these books are sure to please readers and life story writers alike. ~Linda Hoye, author of Two Hearts: An Adoptee’s Journey Through Grief to Gratitude.
What gems! These memoir vignettes pull us into and delight us with the rich stories of women’s lives. I literally couldn’t put the book down. Each story highlights a facet of life that speaks to our shared humanity. I found myself recalling moments from my own life and thinking, “It’s time to start writing my life stories!”
The beauty of this anthology is that the editors Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett have written “takeaways” at the end of each story to help budding memoir writers. These mini-lessons are a gold mine of tips and advice.
I believe that in telling our stories we illuminate the world one voice at a time. Seasons of Our Lives has made my world glow a little brighter. ~Dan Curtis award-winning documentary filmmaker, personal historian, and founder/coordinator of Victor Hospice’s “Life Stories”
The magic of story is inherent in this valuable collection of women’s memoirs. The stories showcase seasons of our lives, as well as calendar seasons – from our awakening as youths in Spring, through the openness of Summer, to the wisdom (or not) that comes in late Fall or early Winter. They not only entertain and educate (especially for beginning memoirists), but make us feel less alone. I couldn’t stop reading. ~Brenda Clem Black, author of “Lil Alice”, read on NPR’s Tales From the South, and “Red Shoes”, 1st place Memoir OWFI and OWL. Now completing a memoir of her in-laws, Black and Kiddo
Writing memoir is like walking into an immense clearing and finding a wild stallion waiting there just for you. Climbing up, you wonder if you can take this ride. …but wait. Help is there to accompany you on your ride. Help in the form of award-winning memoir vignettes to read and takeaway lessons to give you guidance in sharing your life stories. That’s what Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett, editors of Seasons of Our Lives have given all of us, readers and writers. I am so proud to be part of this anthology series. ~Kathleen Hewitt, author of The Scent of Her
