Fiction Techniques

It was a cool morning so I donned my comfortable old sweats. I grabbed a steaming cup of black coffee and my new book, Now You See Her by James Patterson, and headed for my reading chair. I got fixed in the chair with my legs drawn underneath me and opened the book. As soon as I read the first paragraph, I checked to make sure I was reading the right book. I was. I read through the prologue and started on part one before I stopped and smiled.

It was reading like a memoir.

The prologue was present day — what was happening in the here and now. When I got to part one, it switched to a time in the past. A lot of memoirs do this. I personally think it gives more depth to the story if you are writing it in a present day — past story — present day sort of format. After all, that’s how our memories work. And, he writes in the first person so it just reinforced the memoir-ness of the story for me.

I made some notes as I was reading through the story. He really is a gifted writer. I always feel like I am right there, seeing things as the protagonist sees them. Learning to write is not easy but if — for your homework — you get to read all genres of books, at least it’s fun.

Agents and publishers are always saying memoirs need to be written using fiction techniques. So, reading fiction seems like a good place to start. What does fiction have that can be used in a memoir?

• Dialog — Character dialog is how the story is told. This is an excellent tool to add to a memoir. You know what people said, what you said — you have to it’s part of your story. Write it in dialog scenes and let the reader follow along as though it’s happening now.
• Write details. A reader has to know where the story takes place and where in time they are. They become grounded to the story with these additions to your writing.
• Show as much as you can in your writing. While telling is a necessary part of memoir, showing brings the story to life for a reader. Remember, readers are smart. They like to draw conclusions  themselves not be lead through a story by the nose — being told everything. Put them in your shoes by showing them, through words, how you felt.  Don’t say “I was sad when she died.”  Say “I felt a single tear roll down my cheek as I looked back at the casket.”

Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I giggled at how well Mr. Patterson did at writing the book from the view of a 39-40 year old woman. Impressive. Remember to read. Write down things you like or don’t like from a book. It will help you immensely with your writing.

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A memoir is capturing and focusing on one portion of your life. It spans a certain time period like childhood, teen years, career, retirement, raising your children, etc… It can be about a relationship with your best friend, a parent or grandparent or about one week in your life that things changed dramatically – good or bad.

Your lifetime is made up of thousands of stories. These individual stories are what make up a memoir. The easiest way to focus — drill down — for a memoir is to look at the turning points in your life.

Turning Points

A turning point involves some sort of change in your life. These changes can be caused by many things — things you can control and things you can’t. They can be emotional changes or physical changes.

For example, a physical change could involve a move to another state or country, an illness, an addiction, a job change, etc… An emotional change could be the loss of someone close to you, a spiritual or religious awakening or it could be driven by a lifestyle change like marriage, divorce or birth of a child.

Memoir is a story with all the traditional story elements and structure. In order for your memoir to appeal to others (outside your family), the story you choose to tell has to have meaning, a theme — a change has to occur to you or within you. The story is about the journey of change.

People, events and realizations within the journey can also turning points of your story.

Sit down, clear your mind and think back. List turning points that come to mind. When was your life changed for the better or for the worse? Write them down.

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One of the good results from all the bad that has happened is that our son found himself and what he wants to do with his life. Before we lost our way of life, he was unmotivated, wasn’t sure what he wanted to do. He has changed and grown so much in the last 3 years.

Almost a year ago, hubby and I were getting ready to embark on our third move — back home to Indiana. the one drawback in my mind was leaving my son in Florida. I knew it was the best for him and the choices he was making but it felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind — I wasn’t whole anymore. I’m sure all parents go through this but this was my first experience with it. I thought my heart would break. It didn’t.

Today, I got the phone call I have been waiting for. He has his car packed, gassed up and is starting out on his trip home. He found a great job in his chosen field only 10 miles from where we live. He’s coming home and I couldn’t be happier.

Is that selfish of me? Probably, but what’s a mother to do? He found the job, interviewed and announced he was moving home. I was thrilled, relieved, excited and my heart was full again.

I know it won’t last and it shouldn’t. He is making his way in this world just like I did. When I was his age, I had been married almost five years and had a 4 year old son. Our paths to life are very different but I gave him what I got from my parents — wings.

I’d be disappointed if he didn’t try them out…

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Rather than try to paraphrase, reading it straight from his blog will ensure the message is clear. It cracked me up and made me think at the same time. The post is not for memoir writer’s in particular but we can take away some great advice from it.

Let me know what you think!

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Purdue University OWL – The Personal Memoir

Another great resource with lots of information, webinars, videos and more is the National Association of Memoir Writers. Founder and President, Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D., says about NAMW:

“The National Association of Memoir Writers (NAMW) is a membership organization that invites memoir writers from all over the world to connect, learn and become inspired about writing their stories. The goal of our organization is to help memoir writers feel empowered with purpose and energy to begin and develop their life stories into a publishable memoir, whether in essay form, a book, a family legacy, or to create a blog.” 

Benefits of Membership by Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D.

I have not yet had the financial means to join NAMW, but do plan to as soon as my budget will allow. The membership package is huge (e-books, books, e-seminars, members only area, newsletter, etc…).

It really is a great resource if you are serious about memoir writing!

Author’s Note: I do NOT receive compensation in any form from Purdue University or the National Association of Memoir Writers. ;D

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Yes — Valentine’s Day. What if you gave a piece of yourself to your Valentine this year? Get your feet wet or practice up your story-telling skills by writing to your Valentine this year. Giving special people in your life a short story of a special memory is an excellent way to give of yourself for Valentine’s Day. Every person’s view of a situation is a bit different. Share your view through memoir.

Some examples of ideas you can write about for your Valentine (depending on who they are to you) could be…

Love Letters and Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is synonymous with love letters. But, instead of just touting Browning about your undying love, tell a specific story that shows your feelings. Words that you have put together in a story mean more than just reciting. Take a few minutes and write to your significant other about one aspect of your relationship. It could be:

• The day you first laid eyes on him/her — describe how you felt, the setting, if you were nervous or not, why or why not, the circumstances of your first meeting
• Your wedding day from your view point — write how you were feeling that day, what was going through your mind, describe how you saw the church or venue with details — your personal impressions
• Your favorite funny or happy story about you and your significant other
• Write about “your song”, “your place”, “your favorite vacation”, etc…
• Write about a memory that belongs to you or both of you exclusively

Other Special Valentines

Is your Valentine a best friend, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, a teacher or mentor? Here are some ideas for a memory story to share:

• Write about how you felt the day your child or grandchild was born. Was it snowing, raining, sun shining? Was it at a hospital, at home, in a taxi? How did you feel — what did you do — who was with you?
• Write about a specific instance when your Valentine was there for you — supporting, loving or just as a listener when you needed it most. Write about how it helped or affected you. Write it as a story, like they were sharing your mind as it happened.
• Write about a time you observed your Valentine and they didn’t know you were there. What were they doing? How did it affect you? Who was there? What was the setting?

Use this opportunity to learn to write in a showing rather than telling manner. Use descriptive words that put the reader in your mind and place — sharing what you were thinking, feeling, seeing, touching, hearing. Use inside jokes or references that will add to the personal aspect of the short memoir. Practice makes perfect and your Valentine will be touched by your honesty and writing.

All Things Old are New Again

Your Valentine may have heard these stories before but putting them down on paper and giving them as a gift is something they will undoubtedly cherish. Your voice is unique — use it to tell the story from your viewpoint (which is also unique).

This is my best suggestion for a meaningful, heartfelt gift for your Valentine this year. Give the gift of memories by writing a memoir story.

Image credit:

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In the interest of not clouding the internet with duplicate content, I will point you towards a review I wrote about the book “The first Five Pages” by Noah Lukeman. Because Lukeman has been an agent and in the industry a long time, there are jewels of wisdom that no author (wanting to get published) should ignore. BEFORE you send out an queries, read this book.

Even though it is geared more towards fiction authors the lessons are more general practice and ones memoir writers can make sure the heed. When a resource like this is published, it’s kind of silly not read it — especially when it can help your memoir stay out of the rejection pile!

The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide To Staying Out of the Rejection Pile

Resources: Official Page for Noah Lukeman, The First Five Pages — A Review

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It’s a new year! With it, we all have goals or resolutions we make and try to reach or stick with. As an aspiring memoirist, we need to prioritize our memoir writing.

Think about it — during the 2009 – 2010 television season, almost half (9) of the top twenty shows on TV were reality based. That tells us that there is, most definitely, an audience for our memoirs. True stories can be as captivating, if not more, as any fiction work.

This year, 2012, make a commitment to yourself and your memoir. Set aside time each day to write. It can be as little as 15 minutes or as long as you want. If daily is too much with your schedule, choose a time once or twice a week and stick with it.

As William Zinsser says, it adds up quicker than you think. Don’t worry about re-reading or editing right now. Just get in a habit of writing. You may use all of it, none of it, some of it — it doesn’t matter. You have to get used to using your writing muscles!

Happy new year everyone! Let’s make this a wonderful, writing year!

Mandee

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It was New Year’s Eve afternoon and we were moving the last of the items from mom’s old house to the new one. Mom, hubby, brother-in-law, Tony, nephew and my sister Debbie and I were all helping. At some point Deb disappeared. She had knee replacement surgery a few months back so I usually try to keep an eye on her to make sure she’s not over doing it.

After not seeing her for about 15 minutes, I decided to walk into the house to see if she was there. I noticed the bathroom light was on through the frosted window leading to the back porch. Good, I thought. There she is. I messed around a few minutes, walking through the empty house making sure it was truley empty.

She still hadn’t come out. I knew something was wrong — just like before. I walked to the bathroom door and knocked. No response. I knocked again and called “Debbie?”

No response. I was feeling the now familiar wave of fear building in my stomach. I began banging on the door and yelling to her all at the same time. I stopped to listen for a reply. A very weak voice said “Yeah”.

That’s all I needed. I ran outside and screamed at Tony “Come quick, something is wrong with Deb”.

He dropped the box he was carrying and his 6″6″ frame had him inside the back door in seconds. I heard him try the door and then break it like I would snap a pencil. I followed him into the bathroom.

Debbie was on the floor. Her eyes were completely glazed over. She was looking at us but I don’t think she was seeing us. Mom came in behind me and called 911 on her cell phone.

Turns out her potassium level was critically low. Today, they are still not sure why but at least they have ruled out stroke, aneurysm and blood clot. She is going to the neurologist for some more tests to get to the bottom. She’s at home resting with her husband and son with virtually no memory of the episode — only the 2 1/2 days in the hospital that followed.

For me, it was too familiar a feeling, circumstance. Mom was in the bathroom too. Mom had the same empty stare and darting eyes. I’m glad I found her when I did but I could have gone the rest of my life without another episode like this.

Thank goodness, in both cases, they are doing well.

What a way to end 2011.

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Memoir prompts can come from everywhere during this season. Keep a small notebook with you at all times — in your purse, jacket or shirt pocket. You need to jot down the memories as they come. The holidays can (and most likely will) bring back a flood of memories.

The memory is stimulated by the things around us. The smell of cookies baking or the fresh pine tree, the sounds of bells ringing or your favorite Christmas carol, the site of your family and friends gathered round drinking eggnog and telling stories — all of these stimuli are bound to ignite the memory and possibly supply material for your memoir.

Be ready! Have a notebook or piece of paper handy so you can write down some keywords to remind you of that memory later, when you are ready to write.

Otherwise, enjoy your holiday celebrations. Look forward to the new year and a resolve to work on your memoir(s).

Happy Holidays and Bless us Everyone!

Mandee

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