Three Memoirists, One Big Book Giveaway
TRY SOME HOSPITALITY, I always say, and when I do, the students in my memoir class frequently look a little stunned. They’re not in the room to learn etiquette, after all, so why would I mention the h-word? Simple: You cannot write memoir without it. Or didn’t you know that? It’s one of the many tactics I describe in my new book, The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing & Life. A little more on hospitality, and a chance to win one of six copies in a giveaway this week with two memoirist “sisters:”
I’m talking about being hospitable to your work, and that begins with taking notes. To do so, you need to get in the habit of carrying an index card in each pocket. That way, you can capture what you see, hear and remember. This does not require an expensive digital recorder, leather notebook or Cartier pen. That’s showing off. Being hospitable begins with the tools you need for writing what you know—index cards, notebooks, pens—and then paying attention to the goods, the scenes from your life you will choose among to illustrate your argument.
Argument, you say? Hold the phone. Can we be hospitable and still argue?
We can, and we must.
Consider the work of the women with whom I am running this book giveaway, Katrina Kenison and Margaret Roach. Both accomplished memoirists, they each have an argument, both of which are revealed from the moment you read their books’ titles. Katrina’s great memoir, The Gift of An Ordinary Day, and Margaret’s gorgeous And I Shall Have Some Peace There, both argue for the ability to find happiness, peace, and even some great provocation, right in your own back yard. Just like Dorothy’s red shoes, these writers both argue in their books, you already possess what you need to thrive. The gift is to see it that way. Would you like to see their arguments in a beautiful format? Katrina’s video is a fine, joyful persuasion to embrace her train of thought; Margaret’s book trailer conveys her argument beautifully.
And what a fine argument it is.
How to learn to find an argument worth making amid the enormous story that is your life?
Well, I said be hospitable, but I’m not going to give it all away away here. For more, I hope you’ll read my new book.
How to Win 1 of 6 Copies of
The Memoir Project
MARGARET, KATRINA AND I are each giving away two copies of my new book The Memoir Project: A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text for Writing & Life, and all you have to do to win is comment, answering the question:
What memoir that you have read mattered to you, and why?
Copy and paste your comment onto all three of our blogs to triple your chances of winning—again, each of us has two copies to share, and we’ll all draw winners at random (using the tool at random dot org) after entries close at midnight Saturday, June 18.
- Here.
- On Margaret’s book blog.
- And on Katrina Kenison’s, author of “The Gift of an Ordinary Day,” whose message has been heard not just in print but by nearly 1.6 million YouTube viewers so far.
Now we are pretty flexible, we three, so even if you don’t want to name a book, or have a title but not a reason why, that’s OK. Simply say, “I want to win,” or “Count me in” or some such, and your entry will be official. But remember: copy and paste it on all three blogs at the links bulleted above. Good luck! (And we can’t wait to see the booklist you help generate with your replies.)
“It’s a gift to be simple” (Shaker song, eighteenth century)… and I believe that you and your sister to it well! Simple but important things. I hope my children grow up with abundance in the simple – and learn – gardening, caring for animals, keeping track of memories, supporting family. Smiles – Sarah
One of my favorites is “The Hiding Place” by Corrie Ten Boom. Thanks for the chance to win.
-Sydney
I have never been drawn to memoirs exactly. I am sure I have read some but not on purpose. I’d have to say the book that has had the greatest impact in my life has been, The Moses of Rovno.
It was written by a rabbi about a German man who risked his own to save other’s lives. I did however, on a recent trip to the mountains and my favorite book shop, pick up Margarets book. I was drawn by the title. If I had to pick a word to define my life it would have to be peace. So I am in the middle of her book now and have been enjoying it very much.
the memoir that affected me the most was a million little pieces. i found it a mesmerizing read and then was stunned as millions of other readers were to find out that it was fiction. the feeling of being duped, the anger and then eventually the being ok with it all hung with me for a long time. i often think about writing a memoir but i want (need?) to get thru the midlife catharsis i’m experiencing right now first. what an exciting journey i’m on!!
I’m not sure if it’s a memoir but when my mother was dying I went through so many different feelings sitting there well she slept day after day thinking what do I do I need to make so many decisions and not sure where to begain. When ever that would happen before I would just call my mother now who do I call, so I sat and watched her breath it was so quiet and when I was told it’s anytime now all I could do is sit. One day when I went to take a walk and came back and sat some more I noticed a book on her table that read “Hey , God, what should I do now?” by Jess Lair, Ph.D and Jacqueline Carey Lair I just couldn’t believe it but started to read, read and read till I was done and felt such a relief that when it was that time to say good bye I felt happy to see she would not suffer anymore and knew I could handle what needed to be handled. A year later when I see that book in my closet it reasures me that life really goes on. Thanks
I’ve read thousands of books, but never found a memoir that I truly loved. HOWEVER… I did see (and LOVE) Elizabeth’s Eat, Pray Love (the movie).
One of the memoirs I have read that really mattered to me was Lillian Hellman’s “Julia” because it is about strength, personal bravery and standing up for what you believe in. It is also a love story between two women. A love story that is not about sexual, physical love but love, respect and admiration between two friends. This story has inspired me through the years to strive to be a better person.
Memoirs are wonderful, even when they crush you with their honesty. I’ve read many and loved them all for different reasons. Sorry, but I can’t pick one. Here are two that made quite an impact: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott and A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel.
I loved Bird for reminding me that writing is a way to honor yourself, bumps and all. Anne’s candor feels like she’s putting her arm around your shoulder and giving it a little squeeze. She’s reassuring, funny, wise and I wish we were related so I could call her to chat.
Zippy was hilarious. I laughed until I cried. I loved it because Haven confirmed that we all come from weird families. Her ability to see the absurd in the ordinary was delightful and affirming. I’ve read it three times.
I am currently reading Twyla Tharp’s “The Creative Habit” which is equal parts motivation and memory. I liken memoirs to taking a new path up your favorite mountain…the terrain is recognizable, but the path is new and unpredictable. Most memoirs give me the stabilizing calm of a well-guided hike, but the truly wonderful will focus my mind with stunning vistas and brilliant, sparkling, pure air.
Gives me room to breathe.
My Maternal grandmothers diary’s. Written the way she spoke. They bring her to life for me. Would love to expand on the concept and learn a better way to document life for my children.
I have long been fascinated by all things Japanese; probably in reflection of the “Opposites Attract” dictum. Our 24 year old Cotton-Arbo retum is not at all Japanese in stye, but has hundreds of Japanese plants genuses, including countless conifers, woodland plants, herbaceous and tree peonies and 70 Japanese maples.
I recently devoured, and then devoured again, Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan by Lafcadio Hearn, a book written in 1894 by an early U.S. visitor to Japan who was immediately entranced, and proceeded to settle, marry and live there his remaining days.Hearn was a very remarkable self-made man and his reflections on his travels revealed him to be as fascinating as the country he so thoroughly explored. Because I have a large visual mental library to draw upon ( historic photos, films, artwork) I could, with Hearn’s narration, see Japan living and breathing, acting and interacting, a hundred years ago, before it had achieved the complete Westernization that it sought after coming out of its previous 230 year period of isolation. I was mesmerized by Hearn’s memoir of his first encounter with Japan, and I have continued reading other memoirs about late 19th c. Japan and the Americans who explored it.
I’m in—I want to read this book (and my b-day is closing day). My choice of notable memoir is “For Those I Loved” (I have a weakness for holocaust survivor memoirs, also favoring “Night” by Elie Weisel). Martin Gray’s book (http://amzn.to/lKzKi3) was very powerful in terms of losing everything… twice, and going on to write about it, continue to find courage, love and meaning out of bleakness. Add in Victor Frankl and me and Kafka could stay up all night laughing.
I enjoyed listening to Barack Obama’s memoir on audio, with him reading it.
I have loved the writing of Gladys Tabor since I was a child. She wrote a column in one of my mother’s monthly magazine subscriptions and over the years I have collected all of her books. She wrote about her life with her partner Jill long before I understood that women sometimes prefered a partner more than a husband. They left NY city and found their peace and happiness on a small plot of ground called Still Meadow where they raised show quality Cocker Spanials and Irish Setters. I give her credit for my life long interst in animal rescue but more than anything she taught me to open my eyes to the beauty and wonder of nature. I still love to reread her books as the seasons come an go and I am amazed that she has had such an influence on the kind of woman I became. She and I have truely been kindred spirits.
When I was a high school junior in the early ’70’s and having self-esteem issues and a father who didn’t think much of girls/women, I read Blackberry Winter by Margaret Mead (among other great women like Maya Angelou). She helped me envision other ways of living, to see the things that women can achieve, and gave me some of the courage I needed to leave.
Count me in!
My earliest memoir was the Diary of Anne Frank. This first real exposure to the horrors of the holocaust was shocking to me. Since then, I have enjoyed short trips into other people’s lives, including Black Like Me, and Night. I am interested in learning how to write about the significant events in my life, to learn to tell my story.
I would love to write a memoir of my life and all the struggles I went through to become the better person I am today. I must say it would be a very interesting story.
The Diary of Anne Frank — read countless times as a child.
Ms. Roach ~ I can’t help but be impressed by your courage to walk away from a secure job and look for your life – your real life – out in the country. Something I’ve ached to do for years but don’t have the hutzpah to do. At least not yet.
I began reading memoirs a couple of years ago because I want to write one about my father and his experiences in Nazi-occupied Poland. Not sure that actually qualifies as a memoir, since they aren’t my memories…
Hands down my favorite memoir is “Not Even My Name: A True Story” by Thea Halo ~ an account of her mother’s experience of the Turkish genocide of the Pontic Greeks and Armenians in 1914. I had never heard of this atrocity until I began doing research on war memoirs. It’s gut-wrenching and well-written.
Would love to win “The Memoir Project” because I need to get my father’s story written down before he leaves us…and he’s already 87…and I’ve never attempted to write a memoir before.
Peace,
~ Mikaela