Comments on: Author and Guest Blogger Jessica Bram Makes Editing About More than Grammar

By: Women’s Memoirs » Blog Archive » Book Review of Happily Ever After Divorce

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:33:45 +0000

[...] Since Jessica is an experienced teacher of memoir writing, you’ll be interested in her guest blog and writing prompt. If you haven’t read it, CLICK HERE. [...]

By: Melinda Paul

Melinda Paul — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:43:56 +0000

Jessica- Thanks for the great blog and writing prompt. In reading your blog I see that you refer to your book as “memoir-based essays.” When I read your book, I felt like it was organized as a complete book, not just a series of essays. I am asking because I have written individual vignettes and am having a difficult time finding the right thread that organizes them so that it reads like a single story instead of a bunch of standalone essays. Any advice? If not, perhaps you could just say more about your writing process for this book. Your memoir, by the way, is awesome. You kept me wanting to move forward with you.
I’ll listen in for your response.

By: Christine Anderson

Christine Anderson — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 21:39:56 +0000

Hello Jessica. I looking forward to reading your memoir. Thanks for your comments on writing with the door closed and later with the door open. I have a slightly different concern and would like your suggestions. I notice that your memoir gives readers a positive message. Even your subtitle is upbeat — Notes of a Joyful Journey. I am dealing with — and want to write about — a chronic health condition. There isn’t an upbeat message. There isn’t a happy ending. Yet, I don’t want people to pity me. How do I shape a message for the reader that isn’t a complete turnoff? I probably wouldn’t sell many copies of my memoir if the subtitle were: Notes of a sad and difficult journey. Any thought for me?
Christie

By: Aleah

Aleah — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:01:33 +0000

Perhaps you can help me. I went through a traumatic situation and want to write a memoir about that time in my life and how I came through it. I wonder if it is too soon to write. About how long after something has happened do you think one can write a memoir? In the midst of it, my emotions were too raw. But when do I know that the time is right?
Thank you. I can’t listen in live, but I’ll listen to the recording.

By: Lucinda M.

Lucinda M. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:36:27 +0000

According to statistics, 1 in 2 marriages ends in divorce. I guess I am the “1″ because mine did. I’m eager to read your memoir, because I’ve been through the process of divorce and am sure that I will identify with what you said.
Here’s my question, I am writing a memoir about another part of my life and am interested in what you said in your blog: “…we as writers are not there to tell our story for our own satisfaction, but to serve a reader.” How do you move beyond the “pity party” to a place that will serve the reader? Your thoughts? Suggestions? Thanks. I’ll be listening in for your response.

By: Betty Applebaum

Betty Applebaum — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:54:31 +0000

I appreciate your comment that in Part Two you can “eliminate tangents.” I wonder if you might say more about that. Some parts of my story that I think are really interesting, others might think are tangents. How do I tell? What criteria should I use? I don’t expect you to solve my problems, but I’d sure appreciate your insights.

By: ina jaffee

ina jaffee — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 22:36:45 +0000

Interesting because at the last session I attended, I received some comments on a document that I was writing which were not particularly helpful, in fact suggested “projection” on their part. I suppose my next step is to remind the other members that the comments were inappropriate. I’d like not to have to do that. I joined for constructive comments, nothing else. Ina