Writing a memoir sounds daunting if you think of it as a single task. One way to get your arms around it is by breaking it down into parts. In this presentation, Jerry Waxler will show you how to look at memoir writing in stages, what the challenges are at each stage, and suggestions for overcoming them.
1. First thoughts, dabbling, overcoming doubts, recognizing benefits, understanding what a memoir is.
2. Serious beginnings. Anecdotes, timeline, discovery. Write short stories, read memoirs, attend writing conferences.
3. Deepening the project, searching for the book idea, look for the heart of the story that will drive the reader from beginning to end.
Going public, looking for and connecting with your audience. Publishing, or self-publishing, selling the book, blogging, connecting with strangers)
Jerry Waxler M.S. is a workshop leader, writing coach, and therapist, specializing in self-help for writers and writing as a tool for self-help. He has found that writing life stories is one of the best ways to promote self-understanding and confidence, as well as improve intimacy and strengthen social networks. He regularly shares observations about memoir reading and writing on his blog, http://www.memorywritersnetwork.com/blog, which includes essays, book reviews, stories, and writing prompts.
Here is a list of websites where you can purchase Jerry Waxler’s books:
Learn to Write Your Memoir
http://www.jerrywaxler.com/memoir.html
Four Elements For Writers
http://www.jerrywaxler.com/four_elements.html
Jerry’s Blogsite
My Blog: More Than a 100 Essays for Memoir Writers and Readers
