Author Archives: first person productions
The Power of place in your memoir
The following musings were sparked by a post on Nieman Storyboard brought to my attention by APH president Pat McNees earlier this year. In it Andrea Pitzer lauds author Robert Caro for recognizing the power of place, acknowledged as a key component of literature, is … Continue reading
Learning to Divine
By Linda Lenzke DOWSING is a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals or ores, gemstones, oil, gravesites and many other objects and materials. Dowsing is also known as divining (especially in reference to interpretation … Continue reading
Getting and Spending in Carmel Indiana, 1960s
This was written in response to the writing prompt, “The role of money in your life.” I have always had a sense of myself as an earner, a participant in the economy, not just a consumer. I was born to … Continue reading
“Start Writing Your Memoir” workshop in Madison starts 9/21
For every life there’s a unique story–are you writing yours? Small groups are a great way to get ideas and stay motivated. My next workshop starts Wednesday, September 21. For 8 weeks the class will discuss and practice techniques for … Continue reading
Alexandra Fuller’s memoirs
Reviews have been appearing about Alexandra Fuller’s new book, Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness. I haven’t read it yet but I’m eager to, as I fell deeply under Alexandra’s spell when I read her first memoir, Don’t Let’s … Continue reading
“Produce a lot of work.” -Ira Glass
Ira Glass offers encouraging words for beginning writers in this 1:55 video. For more on Ira Glass, go here…
Two tips on “dealing with the dark”
My APH colleague Sharon Waldman wrote me recently to say, I just read your essay about the “Reminiscence Bump,” which is a phenomenon that I had never heard of. Thanks for discussing it! I don’t find that my memoir writing … Continue reading
Jeremiah Karpowicz on Digital Storytelling
Jeremiah Karpowicz stumbled onto “True Stories Well Told” earlier this summer and shared his interest in telling stories via electronic features (eFeats) with me. I have always loved the idea of combining images and words to tell stories–I like the … Continue reading
William Zinsser on writing family history
William Zinsser is is well-known for his writing, editing, teaching, and literary criticism. I keep his book On Writing Well within arm’s reach. An article by Zinsser on how to write memoir came across my virtual transom recently. I found myself … Continue reading
These Hands
By Jillian Hussey I have always liked my hands, even now as the hands of a 73-year-old woman. As I look at the wrinkled, thin skin, and the bulging veins, my mind carries me back over the years in contemplation … Continue reading
True Stories Well Told 