"The roofs are shining from the rain,
The sparrows twitter as they fly,
And with a windy April grace
The little clouds go by.
Yet the back yards are bare and brown
With only one unchanging tree--
I could not be so sure of Spring
Save that it sings in me."
- Sara Teasdale, April
Welcome to the National Association of
Memoir Writers newsletter!
It is fun letting people know about us during my events and
through the internet. Welcome to all new members and
sign-ups this week!
During the last two weeks, I have been privileged to be
part of two literary events. The first one was on March 30
in San Francisco. Winners of the Soul Making Literary
Contest sponsored by Pen Women West read their winning
entries and were congratulated on their creativity and
skills. A marvelous woman named Eileen Malone organizes the
contest, advertises it, and then throws a wonderful
reading/party/celebration of art and creativity at the
Koret auditorium at the San Francisco Main Library each
year.
I am the judge and sponsor for the “Linda Joy Myers Memoir
Prize,” which means that I get to read a lot of memoirs
during each Christmas holiday! Many dozens of entries
invite me into the hearts and souls of the writers and
their families, losses, joys, and insights. It is so
difficult to choose winners each time, but what a fun job!
It was an enjoyable afternoon listening to readers, some of
whom flew in from the east coast, to read at the event.
Juicy creativity abounded as we listened to poetry, short
stories, novel excerpts, and memoir. I think everyone there
began a germ of a new story or poem that day, it was that
inspiring.
Last weekend I was blessed to gather with four women at my
retreat in Calistoga. The brilliant spring weather teased
us as everyone entered the journey of writing stories and
discovering transformation as the weekend evolved.
The work of memoir writing—the way it works upon us—could
be seen as the stories revealed layers of self and history
that had been forgotten or lost along the way. Each story
and sharing of story built upon the previous ones. The room
would be suspended with ahas along with occasional tears as
the power of the story and the witnessing that occurs when
sharing deep personal truths moved us all.
By the end, the stages of memoir writing that I talked
about last week were obvious and easy to identify: purging
out the old by writing raw, learning how narrative
structure contains and reveals, and in stage three, the
writers had a new perspective about their memories and
their experiences, ending with new writing and more
resolved about the various issues that they had confronted
through story.
Keep in mind these stages as you write, knowing that where
you begin is not where you end up. It is truly a journey
and a satisfying one that can change your life! Attendees,
particularly in memoir, were pleased to hear about the
NAMW, and others let me know they want to be part of what
we are doing. We are all part of a wonderful network and
connection through creativity and the written word. How
lucky I feel to be part of this, and be able to do what I
love!
Keep writing! Enter contests and put your writing out into
the world. You will learn a great deal in the process, as
you develop your writing skills even more, and you might
win too!
We offer inspiration, connection, and support through our
membership organization, our website, and Facebook network.
Stay tuned for our teleseminar series, products, and
services. This week we will be offering books and a audio
teleseminar on the products page. Stay in touch, and do
join us at Facebook. Get acquainted!
Be Brave—Write Your Story!
Weekly Memoir Vignette Prompts
Spring Stories and Memories
Tuning into the sensual world around me gives me cues that help me to
write something that draws upon my emotions, my senses, and helps me
to branch out with ideas. Each season has a theme, a feeling in the
body, and often has symbolic rituals handed down through the ages.
• What rituals did your family participate in for Passover, Easter,
or the Equinox?
• What spring stories bring a smile to your face? Think about how old
you were, show us the size of your body without telling us your age.
What happens in your story that makes it stick in your memory?
• What stories do you need to write? Begin with one of the stories
that illustrate an experience that you would like to leave as a
legacy for your family.
• Make a list of five legacy stories that are important to you.
Upcoming NAMW Events
Writing to Heal - Kay Adams
May 8, 2008
---
Baby Boomers' Power to Create - Dotsie Bregal
June 5, 2008
---
Submission Strategies for Successful Publication - Joan Gelfand
June 10, 2008
