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.

Karma

Posted on May 16, 2018 by first person productions

By Faith Ellestad You talk about your dirty tricks. I was stumbling into my dorm late one Saturday night when I felt a tap on my shoulder and saw a finger beckoning me over. “Past curfew, aren’t you?” asked a … Continue reading →

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“Q Tips”

Posted on May 9, 2018 by first person productions

By Suzy Beal Let me tell you about my week. It started early Monday morning at 4:30 am just as my husband was getting up to go to the gym. He said, “Well, after today’s cleaning of the gas stoves, … Continue reading →

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More on revising your work: Jean Krieg and Sarah White talk writing craft

Posted on May 2, 2018 by first person productions

A few weeks ago I posted a dialogue with Doug Elwell about his approach to revising his writing. Jean Krieg posted a comment that led to this continuation of that conversation. Sarah: Hi Jean, nice to hear from you! In your comment … Continue reading →

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The Blue Backpack

Posted on April 25, 2018 by first person productions

By Madelon Wise James brought it out of the trunk of his car each time we pulled up to a parking space at the dog park. He proudly assured me that he got the floppy light blue nylon backpack with … Continue reading →

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Life is Circular (Revisiting your past writing)

Posted on April 19, 2018 by first person productions

My last post (with Doug Elwell) concerned revising your writing. Like Doug, I find it fascinating to go back to pieces written in the past to discover not just how my editorial skills have sharpened in the interim, but also … Continue reading →

Posted in Call for action, Sarah's memoir | 2 Comments

Revising Your Work: Doug Elwell and Sarah White talk writing craft

Posted on April 4, 2018 by first person productions

Let’s talk about revision. In fact, let me invite you into a dialogue I had recently with Doug Elwell, a frequent contributor to True Stories Well Told. But first… It’s a fact of the writing life that you will likely … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest writer, writing workshop | 4 Comments

“What It Is” by Lynda Barry

Posted on March 28, 2018 by first person productions

Book Review by Rebecca Ahl I first started reading Lynda Barry in 1990, when her comic strip Ernie Pook’s Comeek ran in Seattle’s free weekly paper, The Stranger. The oddly ugly drawings and scathing observations about childhood grabbed me every week. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book review, Guest writer | 2 Comments

Ice Cream “Sundays”

Posted on March 21, 2018 by first person productions

By Suzy Beal Full of excitement, we pile into the station wagon and head the six miles into town. We seven kids do everything together. There are no neighbors close by so we depend on each other for everything; entertainment, … Continue reading →

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Not Enough Time

Posted on March 14, 2018 by first person productions

By Kaye Ketterer, performed at “First Monday, First Person” salon for memoir writers recently. When Kaye read her essay, I encouraged her to share it with readers of TSWT. I have no time to write a story. I’m busy. I … Continue reading →

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Happy International Women’s Day on March 8th!

Posted on March 7, 2018 by first person productions

Most years since starting this blog (seven years ago!), I have commemorated International Women’s Day with a post. I don’t know why the United States hasn’t embraced this holiday to the extent Europe and Eurasia have, but I hope that’s … Continue reading →

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