THERE ARE MANY over-used and under-explained phrases in writing instruction. We tell writers to "show, not tell." We tell them to "write what you know," and we tell them that they need to know how to … [Read more...] about How to Write From the Small Moments of Life
How to Write About Marriage? Learn How to Write the Personal Essay
I TEACH ONLINE MEMOIR CLASSES and work as a memoir coach and memoir editor, and in those roles I get a lot of requests for teaching how to write the personal essay. The essay is my favorite medium and … [Read more...] about How to Write About Marriage? Learn How to Write the Personal Essay
How To Write About Loved Ones? Think Inheritance
GET A LOT OF questions about how to write about loved ones, and almost always my answer includes something about inheritances, the weirder the better. Let me give you an example. … [Read more...] about How To Write About Loved Ones? Think Inheritance
Memoir Writing: The Empty Nest
I HAD THE PEANUT BUTTER. The large-mouth jar of chunky. I had the spoon. The soup spoon, to be specific, the logic being the more peanut butter at once, the better. I had chosen well from Netflix and … [Read more...] about Memoir Writing: The Empty Nest
A September 11th Remembrance
HOW TO WRITE the personal essay is something I cover in my many online memoir classes. I've written many essays, including those I read during my time as a commentator for NPR's All Things Considered. … [Read more...] about A September 11th Remembrance
Three Hard Questions To Ask Before You Write Memoir
HOW MANY PEOPLE do you think are in therapy because of you? Oh, I’m sorry. Did you just spit your tea right onto the computer screen? I know. I had a similar response when the question was posed to … [Read more...] about Three Hard Questions To Ask Before You Write Memoir
