I just finished Linda Joy Myers' book Becoming Whole: Writing Your Healing Story. My copy is a little rough around the edges now, filled with Post-It tabs, highlighted passages, and pencil annotations. I know that I will return to this book again and again.Linda writes about the psychology surrounding writing one's memoir, and the healing that the process can bring. She offers practical advice on ethical issues that may arise if one is writing about sensitive family issues.
The third section of the book is called Writing the Memoir and it was the section that spoke the loudest to me. As Linda shared her process of writing a memoir, I heard that little voice in my head speaking. Memories and ideas for the memoir that I am working on spoke loud and clear.
The Appendix also has useful questions for one to consider as one delves into the past. As I read the questions, things that I had forgotten surfaced and I am certain that as I go back and reread the sections I will find more nuggets that I had forgotten.
If you are writing a memoir this book is a must-read. If your genre is more fictional there is still plenty of information in this book that you will find helpful.
That's it for now. Excuse me, I'm going back to reread the sections that I highlighted in my own autographed copy.
4 comments:
I think I've been subconsciously working on my memoirs for a good many years; consciously the past two. Much of what they comprise
rests here, in snippets, in the blogosphere. Later I'll weave them into a finished whole.
But you've intrigued me with your book recommendation. I'm headed over to Half.com to grab a copy.
Thank you, and be blessed,
Kathleen
I love when I find a great book like that. Hope your writing goes well!
My husband keeps encouraging me to do this, but I'm not sure. Thanks for the tip on the book - I think I'll put it on my list.
I've not read that book! It sounds as if it has been a joy to you :)
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