Posts tagged as:

Writing a memoir

Memoir Writing Tip: Memoirs Have Characters, Too

by Kendra Bonnett on February 19, 2012

catnav-alchemy-activePost #30 – Memoir and Fiction, Writing Alchemy – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler

I was sitting in a coffee shop recently. Two young men in their mid-20s were sitting at the next table and talking about a movie. The conversation went something like this. I’ve deliberately left out the name of the movie and the characters, and I’ll explain why in a minute. First, here’s their conversation:

writing-alchemy-character-development-writing-tip1“Whatcha do last night?”

“We went to the movies to see Blockbuster.”

Blockbuster, oh, yeah, I want to see that. How’d you like it? Really Famous Actor is supposed to be amazing.”

“Okay. I mean, like the special effects were awe—-some! I mean, man, they blew up every %#@*&%!!* thing on the planet. Really cool.”

“That’s hot. How was Really Famous Actor?”

“Well, his character was pretty cool. The costumes and make-up were so out there, I think some of it (maybe a lot of it) was done with CGI.”

“Yeah, CGI rocks. Anything’s possible. Did Sally like the movie?”

“She doesn’t like any of the Blockbuster series. Says the characters aren’t real. Well, yeah, I mean, it IS all about the action. But it’s okay because we have this agreement. When I pick a movie like Blockbuster, she gets to pick the next one. So, like next weekend, we’ll be going to some Chick Flick.”

“Snooze fest. That really tears it. You’re freakin whipped, man. Chick Flick…that sucks.”

“Yeah, well I dig the action, no lie. The more out-there the better. It’s the dope, ya know. But I gotta admit, Sally’s right about one thing. There is more story in her movies. I don’t admit it to her, but I don’t mind some of the stuff she picks. Yeah, sometimes they get a little sappy, and some of the guys are kinda girly men, but the stories and the people are more interesting. I don’t let on too much, but I kinda like her picks.”

“Oh man you are freakin me out. I guess you kinda gotta point, but I’d sure never let Morgan drag me to a Chick Flick every two weeks. And if you’re not careful, you’ll never get to see another Blockbuster.” [click to continue…]

{ 8 comments }

A Call for Writers: Large Online Magazine Offers You Publishing, Publicity and Platform Building Opportunities

by Kendra BonnettOctober 10, 2010
A Call for Writers: Large Online Magazine Offers You Publishing, Publicity and Platform Building OpportunitiesA Call for Writers: Large Online Magazine Offers You Publishing, Publicity and Platform Building Opportunities

An important call for writers: Build your visibility among women readers (ages 20-60) by writing for DivorcedWomenOnline.com. This fast-growing e-magazine is an outlet for a wide range of articles and will help you get your work noticed…key if you’re looking for an agent or publisher for your memoir.

Read the full article →

500 Words (Or More) Writing Prompt #34: Jigsaw Puzzle

by Promptly PortlandAugust 10, 2010
500 Words (Or More) Writing Prompt #34: Jigsaw Puzzle

Promptly Portland gets you thinking about ways that others can (and could) contribute to your writing.

Read the full article →

Memoir Writing Book: Fearless Confessions by Sue William Silverman

by Kendra BonnettMay 5, 2010
Memoir Writing Book: Fearless Confessions by Sue William Silverman

Sue William Silverman is a powerful memoirist. Her books are honest, raw, and always well written. In “Fearless Confessions” she shares her insight and experience writing memoir. A must-read for every aspiring memoirist.

Read the full article →

Book Review of Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis by Amy Ferris

by Kendra BonnettApril 7, 2010
Book Review of Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis by Amy Ferris

In her memoir Marrying George Clooney, Amy Ferris comes to a point of peace and understanding about her relationship with her mother. Ferris finds the humor in life as she deals with raging hormones, in the full throes of menopause, and her 88-year-old mother disappears into dementia. The result is a bittersweet, often raw and outrageously candid, look at mothers and daughters.

Read the full article →

Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Memoir Writers

by Matilda ButlerJanuary 2, 2010
Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Memoir Writers

Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett highlight 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Memoir Writers. See how many belong on your list.

Read the full article →

Memoir Book Review – Don’t Call Me Mother: Breaking the Chain of Mother-Daughter Abandonment

by Matilda ButlerDecember 1, 2009
Memoir Book Review – Don’t Call Me Mother: Breaking the Chain of Mother-Daughter Abandonment

Author Linda Joy Myers’ memoir is a joy to read, filled with imagery. Wondering how to handle voice and tense? There are lessons in her memoir.

Read the full article →
Interviews Category Interviews Category Interviews Category Interviews Category Interviews Category Interviews Category Writing Prompts Category Writing Prompts Category Writing Prompts Category Writing Prompts Category Writing Prompts Category Writing Prompts Category StoryMap Category StoryMap Category StoryMap Category Writing and Healing Category Writing and Healing Category Writing and Healing Category Scrapmoir Category Scrapmoir Category Scrapmoir Category Book Business Category Book Business Category Book Business Category Memoir Journal Writing Category Memoir Journal Writing Category Memoir Journal Writing Category News Category News Category News Category