1. Write it fast, fix it later.
2. Commit to writing 16 ˝ minutes per day or 3 hours per week. If it is easier for you, commit to writing 3 pages a day.
3. Quality is more important than quantity. If you only get one paragraph done but it conveys your feelings and paints a picture the reader can see, then it is good.
4. Write stand-alone anecdotes, stories or chapters. You can connect them later with a theme, but if you don't the "pearls" will still have great value.
5. Make sure each piece has a "hook" which brings the reader in, a "middle" which gives the necessary information and the "end" which teaches a moral, makes us laugh or delivers the point. The end is usually tied in with the hook.
6. Don't worry about literary style. Write your story as if you were sitting at the kitchen table swapping tales. Be yourself.
7. Include lots of details. Remember what was going on in society, the family, and the neighborhood as well as physically and emotionally with the people involved in the story.
8. Remember the five senses. Sight, sound, smell, taste, touch and feel. Help the reader relive the memory with you.
9. Edit out 10%. You will be amazed at how much better it is when you take out the extra words and phrases. Now edit out another 10%.
10. Let others read it for content, grammar and flow. Listen to their suggestions. If one or two people tell you the same thing it is an opinion, however if 3 or more tell you it is an observation that you should definitely consider.
11. Don't allow others or yourself to criticize too much. You are your own worst critic. It doesn't have to be perfect or to please everyone. It just has to be done. Many generations will be grateful you took the time, energy and risk to record some small part of history.
12. Re-write or correct passages. Let it sit for a few days and then you may want to tighten it some more.
13. Include some memorabilia or photos to bring the manuscript to life. You may find copies of newspaper articles, letters, cartoons, maps etc. that will add interest and information.
14. Finish the thing! It will never be completely done but bring it to a logical conclusion and be able to let it go and start on another project.
You are a writer -never forget it- just keep writing!
If you are interested in getting the answers to these and other questions about life story writing, please contact us at judywright@artichokepress.com and sign up for a tele-class and our FREE e-zine: "The Artichoke" - finding the heart of the story in the journey of life..
ŠJudy H. Wright, Personal and Oral Historian - www.artichokepress.com
In order to be successful with a newsletter, specialize in... Read More
Communication is effective when we follow certain rules. These rules... Read More
So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to... Read More
Most people can easily identify with the dreaded "writer's block".... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?The writer, who doesn't have the time... Read More
If Ben Franklin were alive today, he would be...uh, very... Read More
One of the best ways to blow someone's winning streak... Read More
The hardest part of nonfiction writing is finding a subject... Read More
Think you can't write a book that will sell? You... Read More
If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More
Connectors -- conjunctions, punctuation, and transitional phrases -- allow readers... Read More
It is certainly true that we don't get a second... Read More
There are so many ways for writers to make good... Read More
ESSAY 2Andre Malraux once said that what interested him in... Read More
The Internet has truly revolutionized the careers of writers worldwide.... Read More
What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way... Read More
* Scanning and Skimming Practices *Whether you're writing e-mail messages... Read More
Many of us have always wanted to write. We have... Read More
Having problems writing? I don't know why. San Francisco Chronicle... Read More
Self-examination sheds light on a writers motives, goals, and aspirations,... Read More
In large publishing houses, many manuscripts penned by first-time authors,... Read More
Writing better is critical for students. But it's even more... Read More
Chances are, you'll be busy over the next several weeks.... Read More
Not long ago, I took stock of my unrealized desire... Read More
Pictures they say are worth a thousand words, but many... Read More
Ever wonder why we refer to convincing an editor a... Read More
So, you want to freelance as an editor, writer, copy... Read More
This is the ideal topic for us all to think... Read More
If you have an online home based business you know... Read More
1. Write it fast, fix it later.2. Commit to writing... Read More
Q. My writing sounds stiff and stilted. Help!A. Memories of... Read More
Everyone has a unique story to tell. From explaining business... Read More
Style manuals are all well and good, and in fact,... Read More
You are far more likely to successfully write and publish... Read More
Want to write your book? But, need a blueprint on... Read More
Communication is effective when we follow certain rules. These rules... Read More
When one population in one century survived five wars, two... Read More
The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More
Today Norm Goldman, Editor of sketchandtravel and bookpleasures is honored... Read More
Writers are notorious collectors of slips of paper. They tear... Read More
As an International language, English has been used widely in... Read More
Ah, writing. For those of us who love to play... Read More
ESSAYS ON AUTOBIOGRAPHY: NUMBER 1Preamble:Nearly seven years ago I wrote... Read More
The Blogfest 2005 Writing Contest has only been running for... Read More
We all need a cheer squad.We all need people to... Read More
Is there a book inside of you? Yes? Then why... Read More
So, the decision is final. I am a writer.Actually, I... Read More
Writing for the web is very different from writing for... Read More
Poems. Just the mention of them makes me smile. Why?... Read More
Becoming an author is probably a lot easier than you... Read More
Writing is a personal and introspective process. To share with... Read More
Freewriting is a release from the prison of rules. It... Read More
11 Secrets from an Experienced InterviewerOne of the unwritten rules... Read More
Agents and publishing houses have their best interests at heart,... Read More
There is a lot of confusion about recommendation letters.Recommendation letters... Read More
In one of the exercises in my "Getting Started as... Read More
There is one key difference between reports and most other... Read More
Have you ever wondered why certain writers are able to... Read More
More and more good authors are turning to the Internet... Read More
Whether you are working for a small business, large corporation,... Read More
Why is it that so many people don't take writing-as-a-job... Read More
We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More
May I tell you about a writing technique shared by... Read More
Joanne Kathleen Rowling was born in Chipping Sodbury,England in 1965.... Read More
Congratulations on writing your first book. That is quite an... Read More
Remember the days when we wrote with pen and paper?... Read More
Writing |