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With the publication of Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt, the art of Lifewriting has become a huge topic of interest
to the American public. The July 2002 issue of Writer’s Digest is almost wholly devoted to Lifewriting and the publishers
of Writer’s Digest have even issued a separate magazine to cover the how-to’s of writing memoirs and journaling.
In 1999 I began teaching memoir
and journaling classes in Palm Beach County. I also work as a Personal Historian,
taping clients memoirs and transcribing them to book form.
A few of the topics I explore with
readers are:
Why should we write our memoirs?
Basic Writing Rules for Memoirs
Dealing with Painful Issues, Truth,
and Personal Myths
Items to include in your memoir
Interviewing Friends and Family
Members
Research
Putting it all Together
Re-writes
Publishing Your Memoirs
Getting
professional assistance
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We all think that we are not famous enough to write our memoirs but
this is a misconception! Each and every person who has ever lived has a zillion stories inside of them just screaming to be
told!
Even
if the only person who ever reads your stories is you - you will be leaving behind a valuable legacy for your descendants!
What
would you do if you came upon a manuscript written by your great grandmother in the late 1800's?? Wouldn't you be thrilled
beyond words to hear what life was like then? Wouldn't you be excited to find that people then loved, lost, and lived much
as you do today?? How did they handle it? How did everyday life make them feel??
Why
should YOU write your memoirs? "People today are rootless and aching for connections to the past", says Lettice Stuart, a
Texas personal historian who records the memoirs of everyday people.
The
process of documenting your life often brings family members together. And, as their life tale unfolds they will find themselves
gaining new insights into events that took place, perhaps even bringing about healing to the past.
In
addition, it is the act of writing, not the words themselves that produce a healing in the writer. Therefore, one need not
be a scholar or novelist to reap the benefits of lifewriting.
If you are interested in
hearing more about setting up a workshop in your community, I would be happy to visit with you and discuss it further.
To
book, organize, or request further information please fill out the form below.
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