Let’s face it: writing can be a lonely business. But a “support tribe” can help keep you motivated and on-task! What’s a “support tribe”? In a nutshell, it’s a network of folks who provide encouragement and advice for your writing. That can take different forms, depending on your particular needs. It might be an informal […]
A Heart for Helping
Writing a memoir is a big undertaking. And tackling that job all alone can make it feel twice as big! Luckily, helpers are out there. Whether you call these folks personal historians, memoir coaches, or developmental editors, all of them can help with various parts of the writing process. This month I wanted to […]
Three Ways to Start Your Memoir (Without Actually Writing)
Writing a memoir isn’t all about writing. Some powerful early steps actually don’t involve writing at all! Here are three powerful ways you can get started: * * * * * * * 1. Pick Your End Date: Okay, I know it sounds counter-intuitive to think about finishing a […]
Five Things I Learned Doing My Family History
I recently finished my own family history, a six-month project that only took me, oh, about thirty years to complete. That’s right. I’ve helped dozens and dozens of other people write their memoirs or family histories. I’ve written a whole book about how to do what I did for others. But it’s taken me […]
Getting Your Memoir Printed
Most of my posts gave focused on getting your memoir written. This time I wanted to jump ahead and talk about getting your manuscript printed once you finish writing! First, the bad news: chances of a big publisher sweeping up your beloved work with a mega-contract are (generally-speaking) somewhere between slim and none, unless you’re close kin to […]
Words to Live By
WORDS TO LIVE BY: One common theme in the memoirs I’ve worked on is a Words to Live By chapter. It could go anywhere, of course; but typically it’s the last chapter of the book — an effective way to leave your reader with positive and helpful thoughts. […]
Share the Hidden History in your Family Stories
I’m deep in the middle of compiling our family stories. It’s struck me how much hidden history there is in these simple tales. Things we never learned about in school. Aspects of history that never drew the limelight. Telling details or images that add depth or perspective to a larger historical picture. […]
When Memoirs Bring Up Feelings
Watch out for the “Memoir Blues”! Working on a Memoir – your own tale, or the story of your family – can tap surprising, long-buried feelings. Memories and emotions you thought you’d worked out long ago. And definitely not just the happy ones. I know. Because it’s been happening […]
Can Old Magazines Help Inspire Your Memoir?
Looking for a little visual inspiration for your memoir? Old magazines can prompt a flood of memories to write about! Check out these images, for example (from Family Circle magazine of September, 1954 and Good Housekeeping of August 1959). How much things have changed in over 60 years – Family […]
Tips for Promoting Your Memoir
Some Tips for Promoting Your Memoir: So you’ve finished writing your memoir. Now, how the heck do you promote it? It’s one of the questions memoir writers struggle with the most! The awful, painful truth: book marketing is never easy. Worse yet, marketing a memoir can be especially difficult. That’s not […]
Preserving Your Family Photo Collection
Preserving Your Family Photo Collection Are you the keeper of your family photo collection? The one who inherited a giant, jumbled box of pictures, negatives and slides? Deciding what to do with all those family treasures can be a daunting prospect, indeed. But here are a few tips and resources to help! * * * * […]
Adding Visuals to Family History
Let’s face it; a family history packed with bare facts would be pretty boring. (Think page after page of names, dates and marriages.) But sprinkle in some visual details — graphics, or maybe even a picture – and that family history springs to life! So, what if you don’t have a photo from, say, 1835 to add […]