First, the bad news: the magazine markets shrank dramatically over the last ten years, making it tougher than ever to break in. Even if you do land an assignment, freelancing is no longer remotely lucrative unless you’re writing for top-tier mags (think “winning the lottery”). Expect to pull in a few hundred bucks at most […]
Stalking Perry Mason: Following the Footsteps of Erle Stanley Gardner in Ventura
What’s not to like about a lawyer who got kicked out of law school?! His best-selling Perry Mason novels aside, Erle Stanley Gardner would still be legendary for that un-lawyerly feat! Born in 1889 in Malden, Massachusetts, Erle Stanley Gardner managed to stay enrolled at Valparaiso University’s law school for only a few short months. […]
Writing About an “Ordinary” Life
MEMOIR TIP: Finding the Special in an “Ordinary” Life Ever feel like “my life was nothing special”? It’s a common refrain among memoir writers. You went to work; came home; cooked; did laundry. Then rinse and repeat, day after day. Where’s the special to write about in that so-called “ordinary” life? Here’s my take-away after interviewing dozens of folks who […]
3 Hacks to Writing Better Copy
by Karen Dustman There’s a smoothness to good writing. It’s effortless to read. Your eye moves easily through the sentence. You don’t have to struggle to make sense of the paragraph. Easier said than done, of course. But good writing is part art, part craft. And that means that the right tools and a bit […]
GUEST BLOG: Q&A With Memoir Author Lisa Lombardi O’Reilly
Jim Lombardi may have started out in life as an altar boy. But his years as a teen were a somewhat different story: Jim was shipped off to boarding school for “not shaping up.” Shape up he did, operating a successful L.A. restaurant and then joining LAPD as a reserve, patrolling the beat and working undercover […]
Dream of the Water Children: Memoir Tips from Fredrick Cloyd
GUEST BLOG: Q&A With Memoir Author Fredrick D. Kakinami Cloyd Some stories just grab your heart and demand to be shared. Dream of the Water Children is one of those special books. Author Fredrick D. Kakinami Cloyd was kind enough to share some thoughts about his new memoir that I hope will inspire you. A […]
Inspiration for your Memoir Writing
GUEST BLOG: Q&A With Memoir Author Fran Macilvey I was so excited to “meet” this memoir author on Facebook recently, and wanted to share her story and tips with you! Hope it inspires your own memoir writing. Author Fran Macilvey has not just one inspiring memoir book under her belt, but three. Her first book, Trapped: My Life with Cerebral Palsy, […]
Mental Yoga
Starting to write can feel like this. Awkward. Uncomfortable. Totally unfamiliar. And like everyone else is better at this than you. Just close your eyes and dive in. Remember any words you write can be fixed up, corrected, and changed later. But a blank page can’t be edited. So pull out a pen. Top off […]
Valentine’s Day Memories
Everyone loves a good love story. And love stories make an especially wonderful addition to a life story or memoir! Maybe it’s that magic moment you first saw your future wife or husband; Or the accidental meeting that brought your parents together. Maybe it’s the high school sweetheart you loved and lost – but never quite […]
Memoir Tip – A Funny Thing Happened
Life isn’t humor-free. Don’t forget to capture those silly, awkward, and downright hilarious times in your memoir, too! What pranks did you play on friends and family — or got played on you? What stunts did you pull as a kid? (And did you get away with it, or did you get caught?) Tales of our […]
Memoir Tip – Small stuff IS the big stuff
For us memoir writers, the small stuff really is the big stuff. Great stories often spring from really humble things. Mom’s pin-cushion, always at the ready to mend a tear, re-attach a button, or stitch up a hem. The smell of baking bread from the kitchen. The flat stones by the ocean that you learned to […]
Memoir Tip – Finding Time
How do I find time to write? It’s a dilemma for nearly every memoir writer. Here’s a fresh thought: instead of fighting the calendar, treat it as your friend. Remember that every day brings you 24 fresh hours. Every week, that’s 168 precious chances to find an hour – just ONE hour! – to write. Steal […]