Write a list of 25 memories. The note for each memory should be short. Example: the time I sledded into a tree the summer I spent with my brother’s grandma taking the shortcut to school through the woods shooting the rapids in the Santa Ana aqueducts with Mama the night my mother attempted suicide ice… Read More Memoir writing: Make a list of memories and then cull from it
After you’ve written several memories down, you can keep going, you can take a wee break and make a list of memories to come back to, or you can pause that part of the process and focus on fleshing out one or more individual memories. Sometimes it’s best to vomit everything onto the page. Sometimes… Read More A Day in the Life of a Writer: Still in the starting process.
When you want to write a memoir, it’s difficult to know where to start. You hear people discuss themes, and character arcs, and think, “I just want to tell about my life. Just start at the beginning, y’know?” Yes. And no. Where exactly is the beginning? And the beginning of what? A memoir is not… Read More A Day in the Life of a Writer: Getting started on your memoir
Natashia Deón is light. She has a tiny frame, but her laugh has serious heft. You feel it in your chest and want to laugh with her. She is aesthetically stunning; I could look at her face all day long and not get tired of it. But it is her soul that captivates and awes.… Read More Harbinger Bird
The last few weeks have been exceptionally difficult. Does it have to do with the holidays? I can’t tell. If I could just ferret out why I keep finding myself on the edge, I think I could control it better. You know, not tip into the abyss. I hate having this continual ache because now… Read More 200 days
A few days ago, I told a friend I hadn’t seen in a while about Jake being missing since May 1. Aghast, she asked, “How are you still sane!?” Moms always ask me this. Because, you know, they get it. I think every mom imagines this horror a thousand times before her child is a… Read More Empty garden
If you’re looking for a way to flesh out your characters, check out this site: Character Flaws: The Seven Chief Features of Ego. What I find fascinating is how each flaw is exhibited in people, and why. For example, The Martyr Complex. Someone with this flaw is convinced that s/he’s persecuted, and believes that s/he’s… Read More Character Development: Character Flaws
I’m reading McKee’s Story along with one of my writing partners, and we’re both finding gems. Sure, screenwriters are the intended audience, but story structure is story structure. My favorite lines so far: “But fact, no matter how minutely observed, is truth with a small “t.” Big “T” Truth is located behind, beyond, inside, below… Read More A Day in the Life of a Writer: Wisdom from McKee
I’ll be writing about how I’m using GMC, which I got from GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction by Debra Dixon (Clean link) I’ve begun working on my novel again, and recently had a breakthrough because of an app I found online that utilizes Dixon’s GMC. I dumped what I… Read More A Day in the Life of a Writer: Back to GMC
Nothing like committing to do something in public to make you see your own flaws. My best year isn’t done, and it’s still the best I’ve ever lived, and I’ve been busy living it. Eh, but I’ve been busy procrastinating about all sorts of things. Like posting here. Seems as soon as I give myself… Read More Best Year Ever. Still.