THE SUMMER WRITING SLUMP. This is a tough time for writers–that time of year when the most seductive set of temptations to not write beckon: the great outdoors and all its wonders. I mean, who can write in this weather? Who can write when you could instead: swim/sail/run/play tennis/golf/hike, whatever? You can. That is, if you’re willing follow these simple rules to get over a summer writing slump. Are you? Then come along.
Despite the weather–or, more precisely, because of it–this is a hallowed time for writing retreats, the very best time of year to get people together in one place, and shelter and feed them long enough to get them working. I love such places, and soon I will be visiting my favorite among them to give an afternoon talk on writing memoir.
How to sum up writing memoir in one single talk? Here are my notes.
- Memoir is about territory, and you need to know how to stake out the boundaries of your story.
- Making it up is never an option.
- Along with lying, other known hazards of memoir writing include being self-congratulatory, which is never ever a good idea.
- To get going, how about writing some lists? Lists are good, of course, and always welcome.
- Characterization is key.
- The myth of writer’s block is just that–a myth.
- Knowing when a story is ripe for writing is essential, as I did when I waited 46 years to write the story of my fourth-grade play.
- A general pitch session, when they pitch me their tales and I show them how to make them small enough to write to write.
And we’ll be done. All except the writing, which I know they’ll do–if they can ignore the weather.
Want to hear this talk in full, and see the visuals I present along with it? Here’s where I’ll be. Alternately, invite me to speak to your group. I present everything from small workshops to lectures for large audiences. Leave a comment below, email me, or call my lecture agent and we’ll be on our way.
