Author Archives: first person productions
Weather alert & Monday’s Salon…
12:00 Sunday update: Sad to make this decision, but “First Monday First Person” is cancelled for Monday January 6th. Join us for next month’s salon, February 3rd. In the meantime… why not use Monday night to write instead? Here’s a … Continue reading
“First Monday, First Person” Memoir Writers’ Monthly Salon meets January 6th
6pm – 7:45pm Goodman South Madison Branch Library, 2222 S Park St, Madison, WI Free Share and critique writing in the first person with like-minded people! Sign up on arrival to read on a first-come, first-served basis, and receive group feedback. Listeners … Continue reading
“I Hate Feminists,” She Said
Earlier this year I was riding around Atlanta on a lunch hour with my client’s personal assistant, Rhoda. A sharp 30-ish Black woman with a self-possessed air, she had just finished telling me the quick rundown of her life—started a … Continue reading
Tethered to the Real World
By Doug Elwell Dear Everyman, Social media has wormed its way into almost every part of our lives—that is unless you’re making mud pies down by the river for a living. But for the rest of us there it is, all … Continue reading
“West African Cuisine and Cultural Cookbook” book signing by Tina Osuocha
Some of you who’ve attended my classes at the Goodman South Madison Library Branch know Tina Osuocha. Friday 12/13 she is celebrating the publication of her new book with a signing party! Tina is a native of Nigeria who learned … Continue reading
Interview with Libby Atwater, author of “What Lies Within”
Last week I posted a review of Libby Atwater’s memoir, What Lies Within. Today I offer this interview with Libby, one of my colleagues in the Association of Personal Historians, of which she has been a member since 1997. We … Continue reading
What Lies Within, by Libby J. Atwater
At the recent Association of Personal Historians conference I bought a copy of the memoir written by my colleague Libby Atwater, titled What Lies Within. Having heard that Libby was working on her memoir–and being aware of her “backstory” as … Continue reading
November 29: Listen to Your Family’s Oral History
For several years now, Storycorps has encouraged us to use the day after Thanksgiving to listen, instead of shop. This “National Day of Listening” recognizes that we need to make time to honor our loved ones through listening. “It’s the … Continue reading
Looking for Stories that Teach Life Lessons
A colleague of mine in the Association of Personal Historians, Paul Smith of Lead With a Story, is looking for stories that are vehicles for values. Here’s Paul’s story: I’m a writer and storyteller like many of you. I’m under … Continue reading
True Stories Well Told 
2013 in Review: How My Personal Got Political Again
In 2013 I was reborn a Feminist. You know how people say, “I’m not a feminist but…”? And then they go on to say something perfectly reasonable about women’s rights? This was the year I swore never to allow those … Continue reading →