{"id":748,"date":"2010-03-05T06:28:01","date_gmt":"2010-03-05T14:28:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=748"},"modified":"2010-03-05T06:28:01","modified_gmt":"2010-03-05T14:28:01","slug":"write-a-fascinating-memoir","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=748","title":{"rendered":"Write a Fascinating Memoir"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some of you are writing your memoirs. That\u2019s cool. And the process can actually be cathartic, don\u2019t you think? Most of us have probably solved a problem or resolved an issue through writing at some point in our lives. And if you\u2019re holding onto any sort of animosity or bitterness from the past, writing about it can certainly help to dissolve or minimize it. In fact, some people feel so relieved once they write about things in their past that they don\u2019t even bother to publish their memoirs. For them, it was simply a therapeutic process.<\/p>\n

There are different types of memoirs. I wrote a memoir once. But it wasn\u2019t my entire life story. Instead, this book focused on one period in my life. The resulting book was Quest for Truth, A Journey of the Soul<\/em><\/strong>, a metaphysical adventure. This fascinating story is still available at Amazon.com and here:
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/questpage.html<\/a> <\/p>\n

Some authors write books featuring one incident occurring in their lives\u2014a rape, a debilitating accident or illness, a travel experience, a connection to a celebrity, a period of living on the streets or a brief association with a special child or pet, for example. I know a woman who wrote about her experiences living in a rundown shack on an island for a year.<\/p>\n

There are childhood memoirs, military memoirs and career memoirs. The main focus is typically the childhood, military or career years. <\/p>\n

And then some people write their entire life stories in a sort of journal form. Some use letters, poetry or journal entries to tell their stories. I even met one woman who used recipes through which to share her family story.<\/p>\n

A memoir can have another aspect, such as a self-help or how-to element. It might feature professional photographs or your drawings.<\/p>\n

We hear that only memoirs by celebrities are selling. But, still, an occasional memoir by a formerly unknown writer will resonate with the world and become a bestseller. So we all know it is possible to break in.<\/p>\n

Are you writing a memoir? Why? No matter what type of book you are writing, it is always important to respond to this question. What is the reason that you are writing this book? Is it to fulfill your personal desires, to make a lot of money, to tell the world your sordid or amazing story so you\u2019re more well understood? Or is it because you feel that this book would be of interest or value to others? <\/p>\n

Also ask yourself what is the purpose of this book that you are writing. Is it to push your opinion on people, to change people\u2019s minds or is it to entertain, delight, teach, inform or share? Make sure that your reason and purpose are valid and not driven strictly by emotion.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d like to hear from you. Let\u2019s talk about the direction of your memoir. PLFry620@yahoo.com<\/p>\n

As you know, I teach online courses. I\u2019m thinking about adding one on memoir-writing. How many of you would be interested in this one? PLFry620@yahoo.co. Or leave a comment here.<\/p>\n

Publicity<\/strong>
\nOn another note: Are you getting press? I was quoted in an article for a writers\u2019 magazine this week and one of my articles appeared in Cross and Quill<\/em>. I got word from a few editors that they loved articles I sent and they would run them soon. And I set up a speaking engagement for next week at a writers\u2019 group meeting in another city. Oh yes, I also sent out emails to some of my favorite clients, students and customers asking how they\u2019re doing and if there\u2019s anything I can do to help in their quest for publishing success. <\/p>\n

I am happy to report that several wrote back to say they are progressing quite nicely. Good to hear.<\/p>\n

Contests for Authors<\/strong>
\nI have a request. I\u2019m looking for contests for published books. I\u2019d like to enter Catscapades, True Cat Tales<\/em><\/strong>. If you have entered your book in a contest and you recommend it, please let me know. Or contact me if you\u2019ve heard of a contest for books. PLFry620@yahoo.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Some of you are writing your memoirs. That\u2019s cool. And the process can actually be cathartic, don\u2019t you think? Most of us have probably solved a problem or resolved an issue through writing at some point in our lives. And if you\u2019re holding onto any sort of animosity or bitterness from the past, writing about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t