The year’s at the spring and day’s at the morn,
Morning’s at seven’ The hillsides dew-pearled;
The lark’s on the wing; The
snails on the thorn: God’s in his heaven
– All’s right with the
world!
-Robert Browning
Welcome to the first issue of the National Association of Memoir Writers newsletter!
We are here to let you know what’s
happening in the
writing world, present special offers and
events,
and be a place where we can talk about memoir writing in
all its forms. You do not have to be a “serious” writer in order
to enjoy our newsletter and to participate.
Memoir Writers include all kinds of people:
includes those
who are writing for their own pleasure—uncovering
memories and times in their lives they want to remember. Others
are writing to leave a legacy for family.
Many memoir writers create their stories for the enjoyment
of creating and telling stories that
otherwise would be
forgotten and buried. And there are many who
would like to see their stories published, either online or in
print. Whatever your goals might be,
The National Association of Memoir Writers wants
to help you achieve them.
We offer inspiration, connection, and support through
our membership organization, our website, and Facebook network.
Stay tuned for our teleseminar series, products, and services.
Be Brave—Write Your Story!
Weekly Memoir Vignette Prompts
Inviting and Quilting Your Stories
Writing a memoir invites you to tell your story in your own
voice, and it can stir up ghosts from the past. However, we
learn to be in charge of how much we write and how far we go
into the more challenging stories of our lives. Our writing is
shaped by our intent and focus. At the same time, we are
inviting the right brain to help us to create without worrying
about final products or final drafts. Writing is a process that
sweeps us along some of the time, and makes us stop to think at
others. Think of your writing as something you can do in small
pieces, like quilting.
It helps to start with the turning points of our lives—the
moments that changed your and helped to shape who you are today.
Invite your memories to surface about these life changing times,
and think about how you are different and the paths you have
taken as a result.
• List the moments that changed you
• People who changed you
• Places that changed you
• Events that altered your perception of self and family
After making your lists, select a new topic each day to write
about. The first two days, write for 10 minutes. The next day
write for 15 minutes.
By the end of the week write for 20 minutes each writing
session. Put your pen on the page and freewrite for the minutes
suggested.
Don’t allow the inner critic to judge your writing! This is the
most important part. Accept and welcome your writing as you
would a good friend. Treat it well and it will reward you with
more memories and more writing. Gather your small quilt pieces.
More later on what to do with them.
Have a great week.
Upcoming NAMW Events
Writing to Heal - Kay Adams
May 8, 2008
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Baby Boomers' Power to Create - Dotsie Bregal
June 5, 2008
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Submission Strategies for Successful Publication - Joan Gelfand
June 10, 2008
