Note to Followers and Readers

My husband and I have been, and still are, travelling in the southern part of our country, specifically to see our grandson graduate from high school and visit with family.  It had been my intention to post along the way, but unfortunately I fell ill on Thursday last, missed graduation, and am just today feeling well enough to post this note to you.

I wanted you to know that I have not fallen into an abyss, or off the edge of the earth, and our train did not take us to places where we’ve been ultimately lost in another world.  I am on the mend, we are on our last day of relaxation, and tomorrow we head back to the Amtrak station in Chicago to return home.

More posts are coming, and I hope you’ll hang in there with me until I’m back into my blogging groove.

Memoir Writing Resources

This post was first published on September 26, 2012.  Since I am taking a few days away from the office, I thought I’d share this one with you again.  These are all good resources for someone interested in memoir writing.  And when I return this is a post I need to update with some new finds.

 The word “memoir” is everywhere today, and everyone is telling their story — or at least a central and important part of their life’s story.

Everyone has memories, which often are good storytelling material.  So, don’t be daunted by the number of memoirs you find on bookstore shelves or at the library.  There is always room for another well written memoir.

BUT where do you find the tools to make sure your story catches the reader’s interest?

A few of my favorite places:

1.  Amber Lea Starfire’s web site, Writing Through Life.  Amber Starfire utilizes journaling, memoir, and art to instruct her readers in the practice of telling your life story.  Additionally, she offers a free weekly ezine to keep you informed about what’s going on in the genre.  Also, Starfire offers workshops and individualized instruction.

2.  Jerry Waxler’s site, Memory Writers Network.  Not only is Jerry Waxler an author, speaker and teacher, he is a specialist in self-development for writers.  His blog includes book reviews, articles, essays and author interviews, as well as many resources.  Additionally, Jerry serves on the Advisory Board of National Association of Memoir Writers.  Jerry’s books are in my list of suggested writing resources.

3.  Sharon Lippincott’s site, The Heart and Craft of Life Writing.  Here is a gold mine of information.  Sharon is also a member of the Advisory Board for National Association of Memoir Writers.  Sharon’s blog offers tips, observations and guidelines for life writing as well as many resources that will aid the memoir writer in developing into a successful storyteller.  Sharon’s books are in my list of suggested writing resources.

4.  Linda Joy Myers’ site, Memories and Memoirs, is a great resource for memoir writers of all stages.  Linda Joy is a writing coach, teacher and memoir guru.  She offers workshops and as founder and the energy behind the National Association of Memoir Writers is among the top proponents of memoir writing in the world.  Her site will introduce you to many facets not only of learning about memoir writing but will give the necessary tips and tools to move forward.  Linda Joy’s books are also listed in my suggested writing resources.

5.  National Association of Memoir Writers (“NAMW”) is “a membership organization for memoir writers from all over the world.”  NAMW exists to connect, educate, and empower memoir writers to begin to tell their stories and eventually complete those works with a culmination in publication.  NAMW’s site is replete with resources for the novice to the accomplished memoir writer.  I urge you to visit the site and avail yourself of its many offerings.  Once you’ve become familiar with the site, I think you, as I did, will see the value behind membership if you are serious about writing memoir.

This list is just a start but I believe these sites are the best starting points for the novice and the foundation on which advanced writers come to rely.

I will continue to offer more resources as I continue posting to this blog, but do hope you have found today’s listing helpful.

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

This post was first published on September 25, 2012.  Since I am taking a few days away from the office, I thought I’d share this one with you again.  It’s always good to know where to to find writing assistance.  And when I return this is a post I need to update with some new finds.

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Have you thought about telling your life story?  Or a special part of your life story?  Or maybe you’re into historical fiction, mystery, sci-fi or fiction.

Photo Credit

Perhaps you’d rather not do it on the antiquated typewriter here.

So, I am sharing a few up-to-date sites and blogs that might help you get started on the writing process.  These represent some of my favorite places to find help.

1.  The Write Practice.  Here you’ll meet Joe Bunting, founder of The Write Practice.  The Write Practice offers practical tips on writing — grammar, language, prompts, tutorials, and often a contest to hone your skills and see what others think.

2.  The Bookshelf Muse.  Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi come together to offer writing tools and tips, a writing resource newsletter, and their recently published Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression.  Posts always give necessary tools for becoming a strong writer.

3.  The Blood-Red Pencil.  Daunting title, yes?  But the tips and tools shared are not daunting.  The sub-title to The Blood-Red Pencil reads, “Sharp and pointed observations about good writing.”  Can’t ask for more than that!  The Blood-Red Pencil consists of a team of writers and editors who share the writing for blog posts.  Additionally, you’ll find handy resources, like writing and editing services as well as book design and art services.  The site also offers a list of resources which includes links to tween lingo, editing rates, the U.S. Copyright Office, Plagiarism Today and many more.

4.  Publication Coach.  Daphne Gray-Grant is the “publication coach,” and she provides tips for beating writer’s block, writing faster, prompts, copywriters and communicators.  In addition, Daphne offers writing courses and a weekly newsletter.  Without fail, there is always a worthwhile bit of information in each post.

5.  The Artist’s Road.  Patrick Ross, a professional writer of 25 years and writing instructor at The Writer’s Center, hosts this blog on creativity, writing and an art-committed life.  Lively discussions follow many of Patrick’s posts, and insight for all phases of writing is found in each of his writings.

6.  Jeff Goins Writer.  Jeff Goins is a down-to-earth, easy-going, full of ideas and tips blogger who loves to write and blog.  In the midst of all this, he manages to offer sound advice and tips for writers of all stages.  In Jeff’s own words, “I help people tell better stories and make a difference in the world.

These are just five of my favorite general writing resources, and rest assured there are many more for you to discover on your own.

In my next post, I’ll be sharing favorites among my memoir writing resources.  Stay tuned!

Keep writing!