tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post609192154959585810..comments2024-03-19T02:31:33.746-07:00Comments on Tossing It Out: Do's and Don'ts of Memoir Writing: The FOLLOWING THE WHISPERS Blog Book Tour with Author Karen WalkerArlee Birdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-64138390283314025282014-09-08T14:59:15.380-07:002014-09-08T14:59:15.380-07:00Karen, I am writing a memoir and am desperate for ...Karen, I am writing a memoir and am desperate for a glimmer of hope. It seems that the web is chock full of people saying, "do this" or "don't do that". Also I'm beginning to feel my subject matter is contrived, already been done, or that it's just not that interesting. I seem to be stuck on the idea of having to present it from growing up (which is when I showed traits of what is to come in the "arc") and so many say "don't talk about growing up, being bullied, drinking/drugging/recovery" etc. I'm a bit lost because when I tell stories aloud people say "you have to write a book" but the process is making me think that I don't, but I really want to LOL! Thoughts?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04323347656936747831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-9403055920991935112011-07-24T13:33:17.236-07:002011-07-24T13:33:17.236-07:00Thank you, Lee and Karen. Memoirs have really help...Thank you, Lee and Karen. Memoirs have really helped me through some challenging times in my life, so they have a special place in my heart. The tips are great, and also some good signposts for fiction.Leslie S. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122865337924270039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-83062285415994619282011-07-22T06:46:31.146-07:002011-07-22T06:46:31.146-07:00I was reading Karen's site after her post on A...I was reading Karen's site after her post on Alex's blog. Then I saw this link about Memoirs. Good information here... I've often told my Mom that she should write about her life. It's just.. unbelievable. I had a simple, boring, happy childhood and life :) Nothing to share there, but Mom? She's been through hell and back and then again and still survives. She told me when she "retires retires" (she's a returned retired teacher) then she'll write her story. I hope that will be some point and time in the future. She loves her work! Sorry, I rambled :)Aletahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05605214202876973830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-53180209408826682522011-07-22T04:48:28.551-07:002011-07-22T04:48:28.551-07:00Hi Lee - so pleased that Karen is getting so much ...Hi Lee - so pleased that Karen is getting so much exposure for her Memoir - it's a story that needs to be told ..<br /><br />I have bought it .. and so will be reading it soon .. <br /><br />Your tips here are so sensible .. we, your readers, want to 'enjoy' ourselves not be bored with drivel (writing!) .. I like the way you mention flash backs .. <br /><br />Cheers and good luck, Karen, with sales etc .. thanks Lee - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-38702392784683460392011-07-21T22:29:21.158-07:002011-07-21T22:29:21.158-07:00Karen -- Thank you again for visiting Tossing It O...Karen -- Thank you again for visiting <i>Tossing It Out</i>. It was a helpful post. I wish you great success on <i>Following the Whispers</i> and on your upcoming novel.<br /><br />Eve -- I hope you will let me know what your thoughts are about <i>The Blaok Veil</i>.<br /><br />And thanks to all of you who left your comments on this post.<br /><br />LeeArlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-90934857990473597272011-07-21T22:03:58.863-07:002011-07-21T22:03:58.863-07:00Nicely done! Thanks Lee and Karen; great tips!Nicely done! Thanks Lee and Karen; great tips!Ellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06070952447277684613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-67040318987869219102011-07-21T15:42:53.426-07:002011-07-21T15:42:53.426-07:00Just letting you know I am still here. Sometimes t...Just letting you know I am still here. Sometimes the subject is beyond me but I do read each day. Hope all is well with thee and thine!Gregg Metcalfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16413691313803396844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-57277661414355310372011-07-21T13:25:33.984-07:002011-07-21T13:25:33.984-07:00great tips on writinggreat tips on writingRebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10213055916162799647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-10127427592465851252011-07-21T08:09:34.466-07:002011-07-21T08:09:34.466-07:00Wow. I encourage all memoir writing, but as Kathle...Wow. I encourage all memoir writing, but as Kathleen said, you really nailed these points - the difference between a family memoir and one that will sell to the public. Very concise, very important. I have to link to this post.Linda Austinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12440198392313322295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-14202343761037714882011-07-21T08:06:24.353-07:002011-07-21T08:06:24.353-07:00Thank you Lee, and thank you Karen! Fantastic tips...Thank you Lee, and thank you Karen! Fantastic tips here, I look forward to following your blog Karen..you definatley know what you're talking about! And Lee, just wanted to let you know that I'm starting 'The Black Veil' today! I found a copy at one of my favourite stores, 'The Bookman'...I'll let you know what I think..E. M. Prokophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12395951217528199963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-4351537773713262442011-07-21T06:53:18.033-07:002011-07-21T06:53:18.033-07:00Wow, Karen. That is so respectful of you, to wait ...Wow, Karen. That is so respectful of you, to wait until your parents are gone to publish your memoir.Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12399082789777816445noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-9633010434830330682011-07-21T00:33:33.694-07:002011-07-21T00:33:33.694-07:00Thanks to Karen for the terrific tips and to Lee f...Thanks to Karen for the terrific tips and to Lee for hosting! Good luck with the rest of your virtual tour! JulieEmpty Nest Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074223969046687064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-51302294374470453862011-07-20T18:09:33.095-07:002011-07-20T18:09:33.095-07:00Karen's book is wonderful! Everyone should rea...Karen's book is wonderful! Everyone should read it.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-21224189019169709582011-07-20T17:09:21.817-07:002011-07-20T17:09:21.817-07:00fantastic tips for memoir writing. I think the bes...fantastic tips for memoir writing. I think the best memoirs are the ones that read like fiction.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-78029001457971165362011-07-20T16:22:21.382-07:002011-07-20T16:22:21.382-07:00Karen,
I enjoyed these no-nonsense, practical memo...Karen,<br />I enjoyed these no-nonsense, practical memoir writing tips. You really nailed the essence of memoir writing-tell a story using fiction techniques, stand in your truth, be aware of the people in your life who will be affected and present characters in a balanced way. Lots of pearls here as well as a great discussion. <br />Thanks Karen and Lee for a great post!kathleen poolerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02011121167730644229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-12656536461261153372011-07-20T15:13:38.891-07:002011-07-20T15:13:38.891-07:00Karen -- It's been a delight having you as a g...Karen -- It's been a delight having you as a guest. Thank you for staying on top of comments like you have--I'm sure there will be more to come.<br /><br />Thanks to all of you who have left comments. I know I can always count on my readers for good comments and questions.<br /><br />LeeArlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-50449721345483151472011-07-20T12:34:52.881-07:002011-07-20T12:34:52.881-07:00Very useful tips. Thank you! Going over to visit y...Very useful tips. Thank you! Going over to visit you on your own blog, Karen.Sharon - inspiring non-fictionhttp://grandmaisawriter.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-17116497456896730042011-07-20T12:33:54.151-07:002011-07-20T12:33:54.151-07:00An interesting post. Thank you. Peoples lives can ...An interesting post. Thank you. Peoples lives can be really fascinating and getting them down in the right way can make fantastic reading.Rebecca Bradleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10194524230109997420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-81234757848351989022011-07-20T12:27:10.610-07:002011-07-20T12:27:10.610-07:00Karen, you've managed to cram a book's wor...Karen, you've managed to cram a book's worth of tips into a blog post. Way to go!Sharon Lippincotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16269757107845288737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-69842312651518101822011-07-20T10:47:52.584-07:002011-07-20T10:47:52.584-07:00I have never attempted to write me memoirs as my l...I have never attempted to write me memoirs as my life has been too boring. Karen, best wishes for your continued success with Following the Whispers! You do have an amazing story to share with the world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-33663239435003516342011-07-20T09:16:15.815-07:002011-07-20T09:16:15.815-07:00Good advice, Karen. I'd never thought of writi...Good advice, Karen. I'd never thought of writing memoir using fiction techniques, but it makes sense.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-68581962680453469552011-07-20T05:56:05.776-07:002011-07-20T05:56:05.776-07:00I don't think I have a memoir in me, but I can...I don't think I have a memoir in me, but I can completely understand waiting to tell a painful story to avoid hurting people.Luanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-27280705254843785452011-07-20T05:51:15.186-07:002011-07-20T05:51:15.186-07:00Personally I write fiction, but it's all heavi...Personally I write fiction, but it's all heavily based on my own life anyway.Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-46088665676610208362011-07-20T05:39:03.506-07:002011-07-20T05:39:03.506-07:00I have never considered writing a a memoir but Kar...I have never considered writing a a memoir but Karen shared some excellent types. Especially like the idea of giving someone a balanced portrayal. No one is all bad.Wandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07438544740170524813noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-149224757183756660.post-47037149472954661862011-07-20T05:35:06.184-07:002011-07-20T05:35:06.184-07:00Good Morning Lee,
Karen it is a pleasure to meet y...Good Morning Lee,<br />Karen it is a pleasure to meet you! I enjoyed this post and best wishes with your book!<br />Take care,<br />LisaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com