THE SUMMER SLUMP. This is a tough time for writers–that time of year when the most seductive set of temptations to not write beckon: the great outdoors and all its wonders. I mean, who can write in this weather? Who can write when you could instead: swim/sail/run/play tennis/golf/hike, whatever? You can. That is, if you’ll willing to do a simple things. Are you? Then come along.
Despite the weather–or, more precisely, because of it–this is a hallowed time for writing retreats, the very best time of year to get people together in one place, and shelter and feed them long enough to get them working. I love such places, and next week will be visiting my favorite among them to give an afternoon talk on writing memoir.
How to sum up writing memoir in one single talk? Here are my notes.
- Memoir is about territory, and you need to know how to stake out the boundaries.
- Making it up is never an option.
- Along with lying, other known hazards of memoir writing include being self-congratulatory, which is never ever a good idea.
- To get going, how about writing some lists? Lists are good, of course, and always welcome.
- Characterization is key.
- The myth of writer’s block is just that–a myth.
- Knowing when a story is ripe for writing is essential, as I did when I waited 46 years to write the story of my fourth grade play.
- A general pitch session, when they pitch me their tales and I show them how to make them small enough to write.
And we’ll be done.
All except the writing, which I know they’ll do–if they can ignore the weather.
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{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Marion,
Believe it or not, I’ve been very busy this summer; researching, writing and attending a one day writing seminar. When my daughter went to camp for a month to be a counselor-in-training, instead of missing her as much as I thought I would, I enjoyed the quiet and wrote. My challenge, now that she’s home, is to keep writing. You’ll find me, hopefully, with either my laptop or a notebook writing with my new best friend, my thesaurus, next to me.
See you in Sept.
Hollis
Marion,
It was great to get your email. I miss our classes and look forward to more with you. I’ve been writing this summer, though not as much as usual. Currently working on two new poems as I will be a reader at Pine Hollow Arboretum on Friday evening, August 13.
Hope you are having a wonderful summer – such gorgeous weather!
What again is the name of your book about your Mother and Alzheimers, and where can I order it? I’ve been really busy touring all Alzheimers’ facilities in the Capital Region to choose one for a family member.
Thanks, Susan
Hello, Hollis and Susan: What a joy it is to read you here. I’m delighted that the prompt I sent out from this page has you writing. How lovely to know.
Susan – the name of my first book is Another Name for Madness. Hope it helps. You can order it here. Congratulations on the reading. How wonderful.
Hollis – So glad you are writing, and that I will see you again in fall at the classes. Yipppeee for me.
Write on, sisters.
And keep in touch.
I wrote a playlet “Apology to my Feet.” I posted it on Facebook and got the desired result: some laughs! What else can I do with it? I keep changing the ending.
Hi, Miriam. Welcome back to TSP. I love the title, particularly since I have two feet to which I must constantly apologize. Write it. Post it, write another. See if you can find some place online that is collecting stories like yours. Or perhaps a performance space that is staging readings. Look around. You’ll find something to do with it. And write on.