Post #8 – Women’s Memoirs, Conversations – Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett
I promised to list the 15 burning questions that we addressed in our January 14 conference call. If you are interested in just a few of these, you’ll be able to better find them in the conference call podcast. Haven’t listened to the podcast yet? Click here.
Have another question you’d like to ask us? Be sure to put it in the comment section and we’ll include it in an upcoming conference call.
Register now for our Story Circle Network Online Class. Click here. We’ll teach about ways to improve your writing as well as your best approaches to publishing. Remember, if you take our class through Story Circle Network, we will GIVE you both our Women’s Memoir Writing Workshop DVD (a $99 value) and our Using the Internet to Write Your Way to More Book Sales eCourse (a $99 value).
In upcoming blogs, I’ll list the memoirs we mentioned when responding to these questions. Check back soon for the lists.
Burning Questions:
1. I would like to write a book. I would never say I’d be writing a memoir… Can anyone tell me what the step is after it’s written?
2. I’m writing a memoir about growing up with my sister, who passed away last year. My sister was a remarkable person and so I want to write a lot about her. But I want to write this as a memoir, and I’m not quite sure how to do this. Is this her story or my story about her? I’d love some insight.
3. When submitting a draft memoir (or other piece), what is the most common font and format that is easiest for an agent/editor to work with?
4. I’ve written many memoir chapters since 2006. I have 25 written in creative writing classes. I’ve begun rewrites and will attempt to put the stories in some order this week. Seems they’ll make sense more easily if in chronological order, but that seems boring. Please recommend published memoir books that have great organizations.
5. I am wondering about the importance of using Gather.com and Facebook.com for writing a memoir. I am writing family history stories, some of which have been published in genealogy publications. Can your course be applicable for bringing alive historical stories?
6. Do you have any recommendations about starting a journal writing group at a public library? I’m a librarian and I’d like to start one. I find that its hard for members to critique someone’s memories. What are some guidelines?
7. I’m about to have my 30th birthday and would like to write a memoir. But everyone says I’m too young. How old do you have to be to write a memoir?
8. I’m writing about a time in my life that covers more than 20 years. While I remember a lot, I can’t recall every little thing that happened and yet I want to include a lot of detail. So my question is this: where does the truth start and end? And since I’m including other people’s activities, can I be sued for telling “my version” of the truth?
9. I would like to publish a book of memoir essays and poems, but I need help shaping my work for this purpose. Any suggestions?
10. I’m writing a spiritual memoir, highlighting how many physical illnesses have resulted in spiritual growth. What aspects of the illnesses should I avoid?
11. How do I write about very early, pre-verbal experiences? When I recall an early memory, I can sense my feelings, but have no words from that time period to describe it. Thank you.
12. When integrating my own court trial records and psychiatric institute records into my memoir, (like in Girl Interrupted or Taking Back My Life) as well as the perpetrators letters from prison, must they be approved by these official organizations, even though they are about me, and/or to me? I look forward to your response. Thank you!
13. I am turning 55 this year, have gone back to school for BA degree in History and Government and want to write my memoirs. I am not sure where to begin. What are your suggestions?
14. I want to write a memoir about my life, being an emigrant to this wonderful country of America, arriving alone by ship at the age of 18. I have been greatly blessed with loving parents, a dear brother (born brain damaged), a wonderful, gifted husband, and five unique and intelligent children. However, some parts of my story are “heartbreaking,” so how can I do this without hurting the ones that I love? Do I have to wait until the main person in my memoir has passed away? I love my husband with all my heart, but when he was using, he was very dangerous and devastating. My life was hell. Our children’s lives were more than greatly affected, but somehow we made it and we are a close family. I know they suffered growing up and have to come to terms with all that happened. My husband is gravely ill and seems to have forgotten most of what he did and the effects of what happened, or he looks at his part life through very rose-colored glasses. He had a hard upbringing, something that I just learned more about within the last years. I have forgiven him, but I also feel that writing my memoir is important. How can I write my memoir now at the age of 68 years without leaving out the major parts of my life?
15. I’m wondering if there is much of a market for memoir? Which publishers are interested in memoir and how can one get the editing assistance needed to follow through with a published piece?
These are all great questions. Have a question you’d like to ask us? Be sure to post it in the comments section below.
