MARY KARR’S NEW BOOK, The Art of Memoir, came in the mail from her publisher with a lovely letter asking me to read it. Oooh, I thought, now this is a job perk. A free book. Nice. And then I began … [Read more...] about New Memoir to Read: Mary Karr
Writing Lessons: The Joy of Finding the Funny in Memoir
FEW, IF ANY, THINGS MAKE ME HAPPIER than a successful memoir written by someone I like and admire. Perhaps the only thing that comes to mind is if the book is gorgeous, as well. That being the … [Read more...] about Writing Lessons: The Joy of Finding the Funny in Memoir
New Memoir: Women and Drinking, An Update
TAKING ON THE TOPIC of blackout drinking would be brave for anyone, but I would argue that for a woman to do so is a special kind of brave, particularly if she plans to be honest, as well as to do … [Read more...] about New Memoir: Women and Drinking, An Update
Writing Through Sadness. A Fix or a Failure?
AS A MEMOIR COACH and writing teacher, I am accustomed to a great deal of pushback from writers about re-entering troubled times. “Why should I go back there?” someone will ask, particularly after a … [Read more...] about Writing Through Sadness. A Fix or a Failure?
Mother-Daughter Memoirs in the News
“COMPANION MEMOIRS” is a new phrase to me. I’ve read books about the same topic that were published by different people, of course, as well as varying accounts of the same incident. My sister and I … [Read more...] about Mother-Daughter Memoirs in the News
Writing About Yourself and Your Dirty Laundry
LAST NIGHT I WENT INTO BATTLE fully armed. I felt most comfortable gearing up because I was eating alone. Suiting up in front of the family invites both ridicule as well as speculation. Solo, I can … [Read more...] about Writing About Yourself and Your Dirty Laundry