Author Archives: first person productions

About first person productions

My blog "True Stories Well Told" is a place for people who read and write about real life. I’ve been leading life writing groups since 2004. I teach, coach memoir writers 1:1, and help people publish and share their life stories.

“The Business of Being a Writer” by Jane Friedman

Posted on April 17, 2019

The final required text for my Big MFA Adventure was The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman. If you don’t recognize that name, it’s time to change that. Advice and resources from publishing guru Jane Friedman have consistently … Continue reading →

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It’s Spring,Think Alvin

Posted on April 10, 2019

By Donna Biddle Today Spring arrived at 4:58 p m and for the first time in years, my thoughts turned to Alvin. Alvin is not his real name, but it certainly fits him. When I was Chief of Operations for … Continue reading →

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Naming Names

Posted on April 3, 2019

By Nancy Smiler Levinson No plan was hatched.  It just happened one morning, the first day of sixth grade at Burroughs Elementary in Minneapolis.  Like many a pre-adolescent girl trying on a different identity, the previous year I’d changed my … Continue reading →

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Paella at Dragonera

Posted on March 27, 2019

By Suzy Beal This is the eighth episode of a memoir that is unfolding, one chapter each month, here on True Stories Well Told. Stay tuned for more of the adventure as teenage Suzy’s family moves to Europe, builds a … Continue reading →

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What is Guided Autobiography? How do I teach it?

Posted on March 20, 2019

“Guided Autobiography” is where it all began for me–one book that got me started on leading reminiscence writing workshops. The year was 2004. I’d just heard about Guided Autobiography from the first personal historian I met–shout-out to Anita Hecht–who recommended … Continue reading →

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I have a Madison workshop starting in April: “Remember to Write! Memories to Memoir”

Posted on March 13, 2019

“In a community meeting room, participants in a reminiscence-writing workshop are gathered around a table. As we shift from discussing writing technique to sharing our stories, I witness again the power of writing in small groups. I see my participants … Continue reading →

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Happy International Women’s Day!

Posted on March 8, 2019

Eight years ago I blogged here about my personal connection to International Women’s Day. What started as a Socialist political event has evolved into a celebration for women’s economic, political, and social achievements–in Europe, anyway. USA–not so much. Let’s change that! … Continue reading →

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