Author Archives: first person productions

Unknown's avatar

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.

Pain, You Are the Master of Misery

By Carol J. Wechsler Blatter Pain, before your arrival, I was spoiled. Not spoiled like a spoiled child, but like a naive adult who had almost always enjoyed good health. Suddenly and without permission, you came into my life accompanied … Continue reading

Posted in Guest writer | Leave a comment

Waffling

By Faith Ellestad It was 1970. We had been married for just a few months and had recently moved into our first real apartment.  It was on the second floor of a vintage two-flat on South Broom Street. The smell … Continue reading

Posted in Guest writer | Leave a comment

The Ravine House

By Sarah White For the first assignment in my Creative Writing class this summer, I challenged my students to write a “portal story.” This is a story about the first time your protagonist reaches the place on the other side … Continue reading

Posted in Sarah's memoir, Writing prompt | Leave a comment

Mystery Science Theater of Life

By Sue Oakes There was an old TV show called Mystery Science Theater.  The opening scene was a view from the back of a movie theater.  The movie theater is dark against the bright movie screen, revealing silhouettes of a … Continue reading

Posted in Guest writer | Leave a comment

Skating through Life!

By Gina Chirichella  My favorite winter activity has always been ice skating. Actually, at this stage of my life, it’s one of the few outdoor winter activities that I still partake in. Now that the kids are grown, I no … Continue reading

Posted in Guest writer | Leave a comment

Pigs Can Swim (And I Almost Drowned Trying to Save Them)

By Iryna Mroz When I was about nine years old, I made a shocking discovery: pigs can swim. Not that anyone had bothered to tell me this crucial piece of information before I risked my life for them. We lived … Continue reading

Posted in Guest writer | Leave a comment

Notes from the Fourth Lake Writing Weekend

Why would someone like me—a writing teacher, MFA holder in Creative Nonfiction, and professional writer of more than 25 years—sign up for a weekend writing workshop? Because sometimes, even the most practiced hands need to put the client work down, … Continue reading

Posted in Sarah's memoir, writing workshop | 3 Comments

Mood Swings (Facing the Mew-sic)

By Faith Ellestad In years past, far past, my husband used to refer to me, I assume affectionately, as Pollyanna. I was always in search of ways to make things better, or at least more cheerful.  Yes, I looked on … Continue reading

Posted in Guest writer | 1 Comment

Magic in the Moment

By Janet Manders The day started like most others. Recently retired, I had learned to enjoy sliding into and savoring mornings. A huge difference from what I had experienced in prior years as a working mom. For the bulk of … Continue reading

Posted in Guest writer | Leave a comment

The Last Concert

By Loriann Knapton We all have gifts. Natural talents that make each one of us unique.  For example, some folks are athletic, setting records that put them on top of podiums, while others can solve complicated math equations. Some work … Continue reading

Posted in Guest writer | 3 Comments