In October of 1988, following upon the publication of my book of short stories, What Became of Them and Other Stories from Franco America, I was asked to read from this collection of autobiographical fiction to a group of foster grandparents. It was to prove how I started to teach memoir workshops.
It seemed good marketing to present to another group of people—potential book buyers. The reading would also give me an opportunity to send in a release to the local newspaper.
I accepted the invitation, but not without some hesitation. Might this group be too small?
Mary, the woman who coordinated the meeting, had told me however that, after my book program, she was confident many people in the room—Franco-Americans themselves— would want to hear the stories and share theirs. At that time, I had no mind to teach a memoir workshop.
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D: What motivates you to write a memoir? I asked Joe Skinkis. Here he shares how his many life experiences have impelled him to write his life stories.
I am a 75-year-old man who lives in Thailand with my 30-year-old wife. One day, we may have a child. I would like to have my child learn from my mistakes and to glean the positive aspects of my experience. (more…)
DL: The following is a guest post by a write who co-incidently bears the family name of Guest—Colin Guest. It presents his first days working in Saudi Arabia. The excerpt is form Follow in the Tigerman’s Footsteps / The Memoirs of a Serial Expat.
On my arrival at Jeddah Airport, now called the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Harold was there to meet me. As it was lunchtime by the time we arrived on site, Harold took me straight to the canteen. As we walked in, I noticed two seated English guys having lunch. On seeing me walk in, one looked up.
“Do you have my passport?” he asked. (more…)
I’ve noticed that many people who come to The Memoir Network have already been writing a while. They are not people who are just starting out on the memoir journey. Many have already written 5, 10, 15 or more stories or vignettes. They have been writing for a number of months—sometimes even years—and are concluding that they are spinning their wheels, that they are not producing a book as they so want to do. They realize they are not on the path to bringing their memoirs to a finish. What they are doing is writing stand-along piece after stand-alone piece. Well, a stand-alone piece is not a bad goal really—wouldn’t you love to have stand-alone stories from your grandparents? It’s just that stand-alones are really just not what they want to leave as a legacy. So, how do you finish writing your memoir?
DL: When I sent a call out for vignettes on diversity, I had not thought of intra-psychic diversity but here came a piece from Sue Lebel Young based on this very modality! Sue is a long time subscriber to this e-newsletter. Here is her post answering “how to write different parts of myself in my memoir.”
I have a book about my struggle with and eventual freedom from what I am calling FOOD FRENZY. The book is called FOOD FIX: OLD NOURISHMENT FOR NEW HUNGERS. It is another example of different parts of myself in my memoir
How to Write Different Parts of Myself in My Memoir Can Be Interesting
Participating in writing conferences, either as a panelist, lecturer, or as a workshop leader is a great way to get your name and book out in public and to network with other writers like you—especially when you are leading a conference workshop.
Being a presenter comes with tasks, but the challenge is not impossible. I’d like to offer you some guidelines to help you be as successful as you can be to:
- Respond to a presenters’ request for proposal,
- Adhere to a list of conference presenter’s guidelines, and
- Develop a workshop that keeps the promises you proposed – in the specified allotted time.<!–more–>
An important step to sell your memoir is to identify your intended audience early in the process. Your buying audience will affect what you include in your memoir and the manner in which you write it. You will likely include different material in your memoir depending on who you believe will purchase it.
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Giving the Memoir Workshop Structure. Winging It Doesn’t Work
The Curriculum Manual focuses on the memoir workshop structure. “Winging it” has a certain value at times, but structure always leads to faster learning. (more…)
My Love Story with Memoir Writing: How I Started to Teach Memoir Workshops
I was asked to read from my autobiographical fiction to a group of foster grandparents. It was to prove how I started to teach memoir workshops. (more…)
What Motivates You to Write a Memoir? Joe Skinkis shares his reason
I am a 75-year-old man who lives in Thailand with my 30-year-old wife. One day, we may have a child. I would like to have my child learn… (more…)
Overwhelmed by Book Marketing During a Pandemic? Use These Tips to Connect with Your Target Audience During Uncertain Times
Book marketing during a pandemic can be challenging for memoirists. These six tips will help you target your audience so you can connect with them better. (more…)
Working in Saudi Arabia
DL: The following is a guest post by a write who co-incidently bears the family name of Guest—Colin Guest. It presents his first days working in Saudi Arabia. The excerpt is form Follow in the Tigerman’s Footsteps / The Memoirs of a Serial Expat. On my arrival at Jeddah Airport, now called the King Abdulaziz […]
How to Finish Writing Your Memoir
Do you wonder how to finish your memoir? I’ve noticed that many people who come to The Memoir Network have already been writing a while. They are not people who are just starting out on the memoir journey. Many have already written 5, 10, 15 or more stories or vignettes. They have been writing for […]
How to Write Different Parts of Myself in My Memoir or, A Vignette on Diversity—Inner Diversity
When I sent a call out for vignettes on diversity, I had not thought of intra-psychic diversity but here came a piece from Sue Lebel Young based on this very modality! Sue is a long time subscriber to this e-newsletter. Here is her post answering “how to write different parts of myself in my memoir.” […]
Leading a Conference Workshop as a Guest Presenter
Participating in writing conferences, either as a panelist, lecturer, or as a workshop leader is a great way to get your name and book out in public and to network with other writers like you—especially when you are leading a conference workshop. Being a presenter comes with tasks, but the challenge is not impossible. I’d […]
Sell Your Memoir to Your Intended Audience: 4 Tips
An important first step to sell your memoir is to identify your intended audience. This will affect what you include and the manner in which you write it. (more…)