Post #40 – Memoir and Fiction, Writing Alchemy – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
Last week we posted a blog “Memoir Writing Tip: Get a Writing Alchemy (Memoir Edition) Sneak Peek”
I used my StoryMap: The Neverending Writing Prompt ™ to help me craft a little story in which I could illustrate how Transactional Analysis and the “Yes, But…” life script can be used in writing dialogue. It’s just one of the writing techniques that Matilda and I share in Writing Alchemy and that draws on the social sciences.
We’ll be including more examples and “sneak peeks” in the next few weeks as we move closer to our print date for Writing Alchemy: How to Write Fast and Deep (Memoir Edition). This is also your chance to save with our pre-order pricing on a print copy. You’ll save $10 on the list price when you place your order before May 1.
Memoir Writing Comment Winner
For fun, we invited readers to post comments and share their biggest memoir writing challenges. And we decided to select one commenter to win a free copy of the the Writing Alchemy e-book.
I have to admit that selecting a winner was difficult. All your comments pinpointed issues with which writers have long struggled. We’ll be discussing some of your comments in future posts…and suggesting ways to deal with the challenges.
Today, however, Matilda and I are pleased to announce that Jenny Hazard is our winner and the first to receive a copy of Writing Alchemy: How to Write Fast and Deep. Jenny, I’ll be sending you a private email and a link to download the book. Congratulations.
Here’s what Jenny wrote:
“My biggest memoir writing challenge is avoiding linear thinking. I get stuck at a point in my life that I either don’t want to continue to relive, or begins to feel irrelevant. I’m learning it is okay, at least in the drafting phase, to wander into another time for the moment; one that resonates with how I’m feeling on that particular day.”
Jenny, as we begin to tell our stories and write our memoirs, we all reach points along the way that can challenge our ability to go on. And you’re right, some of them may prove to be irrelevant…even dead ends that don’t move us or our story forward.
At other times, we dredge up subjects that are difficult to relive. Of course, these are precisely the topics that we must open up to the cleansing light of day. For in facing a hard truth we begin to heal.
And occasionally we skirt topics that we fear will get us in trouble…even (or especially) when we tell the truth.
I read enough of your blog Nanakoosa’s Place For the Non-Conformist Woman to believe that you can cut to the heart of any issue you face. You are up to the challenge. At the same time there is no reason not to cut yourself a little slack and meander a bit on days when you don’t want to face something difficult head on. Just remember:
- Never lose sight of your memoir’s theme and message…even on the days when you go wandering.
- Look for the healing benefits…I’ll refer you to an interview we did with Diana M. Raab back in September 2010. Diana shared 10 tips for healing through memoir.
- As you read and work your way through Writing Alchemy, you’ll find tools for digging deeper into people (characters) and their emotions that will help you better assess personality, behaviors and motivations…even how this comes through in their dialogue. Through understanding, we can often gain control. Maybe this will make it easier for you work straight through any challenge.
Congratulations, Jenny, on your win. And I invite you to share even more insight into your memoir writing challenge.
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