Comments on: “The Possibility of Everything” Memoirist Hope Edelman Writes About What NOT To Publish in Her Guest Blog and Writing Prompt for Women’s Memoirs http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/the-possibility-of-everything-memoirist-hope-edelman-writes-about-what-not-to-publish-in-her-guest-blog-and-writing-prompt-for-womens-memoirs/ Memoir, Autobiography, Personal Stories, Family History, Life Story, Memoir Writing Workshops, Journaling, Writing, Memoir Writing Prompts, Writing & Healing Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:02:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.3 hourly 1 By: Suzie H. http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/the-possibility-of-everything-memoirist-hope-edelman-writes-about-what-not-to-publish-in-her-guest-blog-and-writing-prompt-for-womens-memoirs/comment-page-1/#comment-2473 Suzie H. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:44:21 +0000 http://womensmemoirs.com/?p=1508#comment-2473 Hi Hope, I've been writing for years, mostly for my own pleasure, but I've gotten more serious of late. In fact, I've been taking some classes. I've heard my teacher talk about creative nonfiction. I have to confess that I'm still trying to figure out how to write this way. But now I read Joannah's comment about Creative, Creative Nonfiction. I'm curious, first, about the distinction, and second if you might explain the creative nonfiction in practical terms. Thank you. I'm looking forward to reading your book and to listening to you being interviewed. S.H. Hi Hope,

I’ve been writing for years, mostly for my own pleasure, but I’ve gotten more serious of late. In fact, I’ve been taking some classes. I’ve heard my teacher talk about creative nonfiction. I have to confess that I’m still trying to figure out how to write this way. But now I read Joannah’s comment about Creative, Creative Nonfiction.

I’m curious, first, about the distinction, and second if you might explain the creative nonfiction in practical terms. Thank you. I’m looking forward to reading your book and to listening to you being interviewed.

S.H.

]]> By: Bobbie Mason http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/the-possibility-of-everything-memoirist-hope-edelman-writes-about-what-not-to-publish-in-her-guest-blog-and-writing-prompt-for-womens-memoirs/comment-page-1/#comment-2471 Bobbie Mason Thu, 10 Sep 2009 18:08:42 +0000 http://womensmemoirs.com/?p=1508#comment-2471 Hope: Thanks for the writing prompt. I read through it and it made a lot of sense. However, I'm not sure I know how to use your suggestion with all the vignettes I've already written. I have way (way) too much material for a memoir. I have more than 900 single-spaced pages. I was thinking I might just make it three memoirs. You know. Stop it at a certain place and continue the story in the next book. But I guess that is the chicken way out. It seems that everything that has happened to me has made me the woman I am today. How do I decide what is important? Maybe I am starting with the wrong sentence on my post-it -- This is a story about how I came to be the woman I was meant to be. Your thoughts and suggestions would be most welcome. -Bobbie PS Sorry for such a long question. You can tell that I am definitely a verbose person. Hope: Thanks for the writing prompt. I read through it and it made a lot of sense. However, I’m not sure I know how to use your suggestion with all the vignettes I’ve already written. I have way (way) too much material for a memoir. I have more than 900 single-spaced pages.

I was thinking I might just make it three memoirs. You know. Stop it at a certain place and continue the story in the next book. But I guess that is the chicken way out. It seems that everything that has happened to me has made me the woman I am today. How do I decide what is important?

Maybe I am starting with the wrong sentence on my post-it — This is a story about how I came to be the woman I was meant to be.

Your thoughts and suggestions would be most welcome.

-Bobbie
PS Sorry for such a long question. You can tell that I am definitely a verbose person.

]]> By: Hope Edelman http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/the-possibility-of-everything-memoirist-hope-edelman-writes-about-what-not-to-publish-in-her-guest-blog-and-writing-prompt-for-womens-memoirs/comment-page-1/#comment-2464 Hope Edelman Thu, 10 Sep 2009 03:17:46 +0000 http://womensmemoirs.com/?p=1508#comment-2464 Sarah, The best way I can think of to get started is to start small, maybe with an essay or short memoir. Bite of a piece instead of trying to bake the whole cake from the start, and expand from there. I'll definitely talk more about this on Friday--it's an excellent discussion topic. Sarah,
The best way I can think of to get started is to start small, maybe with an essay or short memoir. Bite of a piece instead of trying to bake the whole cake from the start, and expand from there. I’ll definitely talk more about this on Friday–it’s an excellent discussion topic.

]]> By: Sarah J. http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/the-possibility-of-everything-memoirist-hope-edelman-writes-about-what-not-to-publish-in-her-guest-blog-and-writing-prompt-for-womens-memoirs/comment-page-1/#comment-2462 Sarah J. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:02:32 +0000 http://womensmemoirs.com/?p=1508#comment-2462 Hope, I'm looking forward to getting your memoir. Here's my question: You are a skilled journalist and creative non-fiction writer. You also teach writing. All of these experiences reflect on your ability to write your memoir. What advice do you have for a person who is well educated but who is not a professional writer. I'm just beginning to write my memoir. How do I get started? What pitfalls do I look out for? Hope, I’m looking forward to getting your memoir. Here’s my question: You are a skilled journalist and creative non-fiction writer. You also teach writing. All of these experiences reflect on your ability to write your memoir.

What advice do you have for a person who is well educated but who is not a professional writer. I’m just beginning to write my memoir. How do I get started? What pitfalls do I look out for?

]]> By: Hope Edelman http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/the-possibility-of-everything-memoirist-hope-edelman-writes-about-what-not-to-publish-in-her-guest-blog-and-writing-prompt-for-womens-memoirs/comment-page-1/#comment-2450 Hope Edelman Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:02:55 +0000 http://womensmemoirs.com/?p=1508#comment-2450 1972 was an excellent year. I'd have enormous fun, I think, following my own writing prompt by focusing on a single year from childhood. In 1972 I was in the second and third grades and had a wicked crush on Gary Wissner. Nixon was president, right? Three of my grandparents were still alive. I could go on and on!! 1972 was an excellent year. I’d have enormous fun, I think, following my own writing prompt by focusing on a single year from childhood. In 1972 I was in the second and third grades and had a wicked crush on Gary Wissner. Nixon was president, right? Three of my grandparents were still alive. I could go on and on!!

]]> By: Hope Edelman http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/the-possibility-of-everything-memoirist-hope-edelman-writes-about-what-not-to-publish-in-her-guest-blog-and-writing-prompt-for-womens-memoirs/comment-page-1/#comment-2449 Hope Edelman Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:00:35 +0000 http://womensmemoirs.com/?p=1508#comment-2449 Interesting point, Jamie. Now that I think about it, my first draft of this book began with what's now Chapter Five. I was just muddling around with the story at that point. Then a novelist in my writing group suggested that I pull a scene out of Chapter Six It was a brilliant idea, and once I had that structure in place it was much easier to conceive the book as a whole. Interesting point, Jamie. Now that I think about it, my first draft of this book began with what’s now Chapter Five. I was just muddling around with the story at that point. Then a novelist in my writing group suggested that I pull a scene out of Chapter Six It was a brilliant idea, and once I had that structure in place it was much easier to conceive the book as a whole.

]]> By: Joannah Merriman http://womensmemoirs.com/memoir-writing-prompts/the-possibility-of-everything-memoirist-hope-edelman-writes-about-what-not-to-publish-in-her-guest-blog-and-writing-prompt-for-womens-memoirs/comment-page-1/#comment-2448 Joannah Merriman Wed, 09 Sep 2009 06:03:16 +0000 http://womensmemoirs.com/?p=1508#comment-2448 Hi, Hope: I was a student in your Creative Creative Non-Fiction course in Iowa, July 2008, with Po-Li, Anita, Jaton, and the others. You gave us such great ways of stretching our memoir structure, and we wrote from prescription directions, Wikipedia, and other wildly imaginative formats. How do I balance those "snapshot" parts of the story with some foundation for the memoir? Can you speak to how we decide whether we do a straight narrative or a series of "clips" for the telling of our stories? On the day of your interview, I'll be settling into Lake Como with a small group of women who want to write and relax in Italy for a couple of weeks, but I'll try your writing prompt on this trip and see what kernels show themselves. And I'll listen when I return, if that's possible. Thank you. Joannah Merriman Hi, Hope: I was a student in your Creative Creative Non-Fiction course in Iowa, July 2008, with Po-Li, Anita, Jaton, and the others. You gave us such great ways of stretching our memoir structure, and we wrote from prescription directions, Wikipedia, and other wildly imaginative formats. How do I balance those “snapshot” parts of the story with some foundation for the memoir?

Can you speak to how we decide whether we do a straight narrative or a series of “clips” for the telling of our stories? On the day of your interview, I’ll be settling into Lake Como with a small group of women who want to write and relax in Italy for a couple of weeks, but I’ll try your writing prompt on this trip and see what kernels show themselves. And I’ll listen when I return, if that’s possible.

Thank you.

Joannah Merriman

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