This document provides seven practices for creating a memoir that effectively shares one's life story. The practices include establishing a daily writing ritual with meditation or prayer for guidance, setting a dedicated writing space, reviewing old photos to spark memories, visiting places from the past to immerse in memories, using accountability partners, limiting writing sessions to focus the mind, and moving one's body to clear the mind between sessions. Following these practices is said to help leave a wonderful legacy through a well-written memoir.
The document is the author's reading autobiography. It summarizes her experience learning to read as a child with supportive parents and family. As a teen, she used fantasy novels featuring female heroes to explore her identity and avoid social conflicts. In college, she became a more critical reader and reflected on how the books she read as a teen portrayed limited notions of feminism. As a librarian, she wants to help all young people find books that support their identity development and make reading a positive experience.
This document is the first issue of a newsletter called YADC Newsletter. It includes an introduction from the editor welcoming readers to the newsletter. The editor discusses their interest in compiling a list of books featuring deaf characters after a former student requested summer reading recommendations. The newsletter features an interview with author Lois Hodge about her book Season of Change. It also provides a list of books the editor plans to read over the summer and a list of 121 books featuring deaf characters in adolescent literature.
This document contains farewell messages from the senior editors of a school newspaper, the Torch, to the incoming junior editors.
Riley Galbraith reflects on their time with the Torch staff and lists things they want to experience one last time, such as interacting with teachers and completing their final publication.
Rachel Gilman's editorial discusses discovering their thesis for their final piece. They reflect on opportunities they took in high school, taking initiative on the newspaper staff, and how hard work led to personal growth and lessons that will carry into the future.
The seniors congratulate the junior class on taking over leadership of the newspaper and encourage them to make it their own while having fun with the experience.
- The document discusses how reading and writing have always helped the author mentally escape from overwhelming thoughts and emotions. Witnessing her mother perform spoken word poetry from a young age inspired the author and showed her how powerful words can be.
- As a child, the author's mother read to her before bed and introduced her to interactive books, sparking her love of reading and helping her visualize stories and mentally escape family hardships. Though writing is sometimes difficult, the author sees it as a form of self-expression.
- The author wants to improve their writing by reading classics and transitioning to journalistic writing to discuss important issues not given enough attention. The long-term goal is to become a well-known novelist
This portfolio documents the student's growth in understanding literacy over the course of a semester. They learned that literacy involves reading more than just words - one can read different elements of the world. Through assignments analyzing everyday activities and media like advertisements, the student gained a broader view of literacy and how to think critically about the social implications of texts. Their idea of literacy expanded from basic reading and writing to encompass the many ways people communicate and interact through language.
This document summarizes a student's personal brand and accomplishments from middle school into high school. It highlights things the student is known for like being kind, keeping good grades, and enjoying Pokemon. It outlines goals for the next year like improving singing and media skills. The student has learned to believe in themselves and be more social and comfortable speaking in front of others. The document shares the student's passions, important relationships, and a skill they want to improve. It compares their accomplishments from last year to the current year.
This document is the February 2009 issue of the newsletter "Global Thinking Women". It contains several articles focused on personal growth, leadership, and mental health. The lead article discusses the editor realizing she took on too many commitments and wasn't prioritizing self-care. She reflects on the importance of limits and balance for maintaining well-being. Other articles discuss the benefits of therapy for depression, gradual personal realizations over sudden epiphanies, and the importance of women taking control of their health.
1) The author wrote and illustrated a children's book for a senior project to teach elementary school students about how things are not always what they seem.
2) She worked with her facilitator and an elementary school teacher to have her book illustrated and read to a first grade class.
3) Through the process, the author bonded with the students and realized that while educating children through literature is worthwhile, writing children's books may not be the best career path for her.
The document is the author's reading autobiography. It summarizes her experience learning to read as a child with supportive parents and family. As a teen, she used fantasy novels featuring female heroes to explore her identity and avoid social conflicts. In college, she became a more critical reader and reflected on how the books she read as a teen portrayed limited notions of feminism. As a librarian, she wants to help all young people find books that support their identity development and make reading a positive experience.
This document is the first issue of a newsletter called YADC Newsletter. It includes an introduction from the editor welcoming readers to the newsletter. The editor discusses their interest in compiling a list of books featuring deaf characters after a former student requested summer reading recommendations. The newsletter features an interview with author Lois Hodge about her book Season of Change. It also provides a list of books the editor plans to read over the summer and a list of 121 books featuring deaf characters in adolescent literature.
This document contains farewell messages from the senior editors of a school newspaper, the Torch, to the incoming junior editors.
Riley Galbraith reflects on their time with the Torch staff and lists things they want to experience one last time, such as interacting with teachers and completing their final publication.
Rachel Gilman's editorial discusses discovering their thesis for their final piece. They reflect on opportunities they took in high school, taking initiative on the newspaper staff, and how hard work led to personal growth and lessons that will carry into the future.
The seniors congratulate the junior class on taking over leadership of the newspaper and encourage them to make it their own while having fun with the experience.
- The document discusses how reading and writing have always helped the author mentally escape from overwhelming thoughts and emotions. Witnessing her mother perform spoken word poetry from a young age inspired the author and showed her how powerful words can be.
- As a child, the author's mother read to her before bed and introduced her to interactive books, sparking her love of reading and helping her visualize stories and mentally escape family hardships. Though writing is sometimes difficult, the author sees it as a form of self-expression.
- The author wants to improve their writing by reading classics and transitioning to journalistic writing to discuss important issues not given enough attention. The long-term goal is to become a well-known novelist
This portfolio documents the student's growth in understanding literacy over the course of a semester. They learned that literacy involves reading more than just words - one can read different elements of the world. Through assignments analyzing everyday activities and media like advertisements, the student gained a broader view of literacy and how to think critically about the social implications of texts. Their idea of literacy expanded from basic reading and writing to encompass the many ways people communicate and interact through language.
This document summarizes a student's personal brand and accomplishments from middle school into high school. It highlights things the student is known for like being kind, keeping good grades, and enjoying Pokemon. It outlines goals for the next year like improving singing and media skills. The student has learned to believe in themselves and be more social and comfortable speaking in front of others. The document shares the student's passions, important relationships, and a skill they want to improve. It compares their accomplishments from last year to the current year.
This document is the February 2009 issue of the newsletter "Global Thinking Women". It contains several articles focused on personal growth, leadership, and mental health. The lead article discusses the editor realizing she took on too many commitments and wasn't prioritizing self-care. She reflects on the importance of limits and balance for maintaining well-being. Other articles discuss the benefits of therapy for depression, gradual personal realizations over sudden epiphanies, and the importance of women taking control of their health.
1) The author wrote and illustrated a children's book for a senior project to teach elementary school students about how things are not always what they seem.
2) She worked with her facilitator and an elementary school teacher to have her book illustrated and read to a first grade class.
3) Through the process, the author bonded with the students and realized that while educating children through literature is worthwhile, writing children's books may not be the best career path for her.
The document provides tips for improving fiction writing skills. It recommends taking writing classes, reading books on writing techniques, writing regularly, getting feedback from critique groups, identifying common writing weaknesses, and allowing time between drafting and revising. The goal is to develop skills through practice, feedback, and dedication to continuous learning over many years of writing.
1. This document provides a horoscope to determine one's personality based on their birth tree. It lists different trees and the corresponding birth date range for each.
2. For each tree, it gives a brief description of the typical personality traits of those born under that tree sign, such as traits like ambitious, generous, shy, and passionate.
3. It concludes by saying being near one's birth tree can help when feeling tired or having problems, and that nature in general can be good for one's well-being.
This article profiles Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. It discusses how she overcame obstacles as a woman to become the first Kenyan and first East/Central African woman to earn a doctorate degree. As an environmental activist, she founded the Green Belt Movement to plant trees and fight corruption/oppression in Kenya, winning her both praise and criticism. In 2004, the Nobel Committee recognized her work by awarding her the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.
The article discusses graffiti in Philadelphia from multiple perspectives. It notes that graffiti is popular in Philly but seen as vandalism by some. The city spends millions cleaning it annually. The article interviews a local graffiti artist, who notes he started tagging to showcase his art and gain recognition. He learns from other artists but considers risks and consequences, though is not concerned about being caught. The city could spend less cleaning if providing legal spaces for graffiti.
Sociology of Community- Service Learning HatchetDanielle Mueller
This document provides background information and activities for the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. It begins with biographical details about author Gary Paulsen, noting he had a difficult childhood and draws from personal experiences in his stories about survival and coming of age. The summary explains the plot of Hatchet, where a 13-year-old boy survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet. The document then lists major themes and includes chapter-by-chapter notes, vocabulary, discussion questions and activities to accompany reading the novel.
Bob Steck Memorial Service Presentation Vanessa Steck
Robert Neille Steck passed away on March 9, 2015 at the age of 70. He was born in Victoria, Texas and had a long career as a philosophy professor and consultant. He is remembered fondly by many for his humor, intelligence, generosity, and strength in battling cancer. He had a profound impact on those whose lives he touched through his teaching, conversations, and example of character.
A memoir explores personal experiences from the author's past that were meaningful. It tells a good story using vivid details and chronological order to bring events to life for readers. The memoir focuses on revealing the significance of key incidents or people rather than just stating their importance. Writers are encouraged to list impactful past events and choose one to describe in detail, explaining what happened and what it meant to them.
This document provides information about an upcoming creative writing class, including bringing a folder on Friday when laptops will be used for online journaling. It introduces the teacher through poems about her identity and summer experiences, and prompts students to create their own "I AM" poem by following the given structure and sharing it the next day.
The document provides guidance on writing a memoir, including choosing a meaningful life event to write about, such as a turning point, lesson learned, or experience that changed or strengthened the person. It recommends introducing the experience, providing necessary background details, and concluding by describing what was learned and why the event was significant. The writer should show rather than tell the story through sensory details, dialogue, thoughts and feelings. The structure and tone of the memoir can be chronological, use flashbacks, or be reflective in nature.
A memoir is a literary genre that is a subcategory of autobiography focused on personal experiences and themes rather than a complete life story. Memoirs have a flexible chronology and use vignettes rather than a novel structure. They are written for an audience other than the author and with a focus on plot lines rather than daily records like a diary. Reasons for writing a memoir include leaving a legacy, sharing a story, or reflecting on one's life and experiences. Famous memoirists of the past and present are mentioned.
This document provides guidance on writing a memoir in 5 steps:
1. Choose an important event to write about that you remember well
2. Start the memoir at the beginning of the event
3. Add vivid details that engage the senses to describe the event
4. Include reflection on the event and how you felt at the time
5. Proofread for errors, check that the writing meets assignment requirements, and submit the finished memoir
The document outlines a 12-step process for writing a memoir. It involves pre-writing exercises like listing important places and memories. Students then draft their memoir, revise it based on peer feedback, and proofread and publish the final version by printing it with a cover featuring a 6-word summary of the memoir. The process emphasizes turning off inner editors during early drafting and focusing revisions on clarifying key elements like impactful emotions and life lessons.
Memoirs allow writers to gain perspective on past events and experiences. They reflect on who the author was at a particular time. Memoirs explore a specific theme or incident from the author's life in an in-depth, reflective way. Effective memoirs are written in a first-person, conversational tone that brings readers into the reflection and lessons learned from the past.
A memoir is an autobiographical work that focuses on a single important event or time period from the author's life and reflects on its meaning. It is told from the first person perspective and aims to reveal the feelings and lessons learned from a true experience in the author's past through descriptive writing in a natural voice. When writing a memoir, authors should select a meaningful topic and ensure their perspective and emotions about the event come through for the reader.
The document provides guidance on writing a personal memoir by outlining its key elements: reflection, emotion, sequence, description, and events. It encourages reflecting on special memories and experiences to choose a memoir topic, then recalling the events in sequence while describing the scene and reflecting on emotions. An example memoir is provided about getting engaged that demonstrates these elements by recounting the events, describing the setting, and reflecting on feelings.
The document contains observations from a teacher trainee's journal of lessons taught during their practicum period.
1) The trainee observed that while the lessons aimed to follow a communicative approach, some activities like drills were more similar to an audiolingual method. Student reaction was generally positive but the trainee noted some ways to reduce anxiety and give more meaningful input.
2) Suggested improvements included giving students more opportunities to produce language themselves rather than relying on the teacher, and ensuring activities like listening have clear comprehension goals.
3) By the final lesson, the trainee recognized the value of focusing an entire unit on one topic like directions, rather than introducing new topics each lesson. Overall
The document provides 6 tips for writing a journal:
1. Make a commitment to write regularly by setting up a schedule and not skipping writing sessions.
2. Choose convenient and inspiring tools to write your journal, such as computer software that keeps the focus on content.
3. Write with any tool that is convenient, such as a computer for its searchability, security, and easy editing, or a small notebook when away from computer.
4. Just start writing to get in the flow, even if it's just a few words, as writing becomes easier with practice.
This document provides an overview of the craft and language used in Kiese Laymon's memoir Heavy. It discusses how Laymon uses words and their meanings throughout the book to explore themes like weight and shame. It also examines Laymon's use of dialect, repetition, sentence structure, and exploring the power of words. The document discusses how Laymon finds his authentic voice that incorporates his region of Mississippi. It encourages finding one's own authentic voice and provides examples from Heavy and other books on writing about writing and the writing process.
Class 1: What Made THE TENDER BAR a Best-selling Memoir?Brooke Warner
This document provides an overview and analysis of the structure and themes of J.R. Moehringer's memoir "The Tender Bar". It summarizes that the memoir follows a linear, coming-of-age structure over 44 chapters from when the author was age 7 to young adulthood. It tracks the major themes of searching for manhood and father figures, belonging, truth and lying that are woven throughout the story. It also discusses how the author uses memory passages, time markers, and specific places and objects to immerse the reader in the story and guide them through time and space.
ENG 30 INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE PROF. GENE MCQUILLANSPRTanaMaeskm
ENG 30: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
PROF. GENE MCQUILLAN
SPRING 2021 FINAL EXAM
ALL OF THE QUESTIONS REQUIRE THAT YOU REFER TO
THESE FOUR TEXTS:
=Sherman Alexie, “Superman and Me”
=Isabel Allende, “Reading the History of the World”
=the “Transcript” of the interview between Michiko Kakutani and President Barack Obama
=Alison Bechdel, Fun Home
I expect a QUOTE from each text. Make sure to use the formats we have reviewed! Please write an essay—not a list. As always, please do more than just list examples and then stop—I expect a patient and challenging conclusion to the essay.
Please do NOT refer to any outside sources or to our other readings, such as The Great Gatsby.
There are THREE questions. Choose ONE. Please do not copy the question—just indicate the letter of your choice.
QUESTIONS:
A) In all of these texts, these writers speak of how reading allowed them to claim their identity, to raise their voice, to see their world more clearly, to find the words they had been unable to say. Refer to a specific example of this process from each of the texts. Which readings (or types of readings) are mentioned? What sort of effects did these readings have on the people reading them? What might be significant about the choices they made or the reactions they had?
B) In all of these texts, these writers speak of reading and writing as a social process, one that deeply involves their families. Refer to a specific example of this process from each of the texts. Which readings are chosen and shared? Who shares them with whom? Why and how might these exchanges of texts and ideas matter?
C) In all of these readings, the writers recall that they were very curious about a range of different texts. In what ways were they influenced by “classic literature” and in what ways did they also search for inspiration in texts that might not be considered “literature?” Refer to a specific example of this process from each of the texts. Which readings (or types of readings) are mentioned? What sort of readings seem to have the most profound effects on each author? What might be significant about the types of readings that they chose and considered most influential?
It is worth 8 points (all-or-nothing). It needs to be emailed in a Word file (or just “pasted” into an email), by NOON on Thursday, June 10th.
To get 8 points, you need to:
—Write at least 600 words.
—Refer to ALL four texts.
—Refer to specific and relevant statements. Please include a quote from EACH of the texts, and when you “quote,” follow the formats we’ve reviewed.
—Do more than write a “list” of references. What MATTERS about the statements and texts you chose?
One more key thing>>
Unlike all of our previous assignments, this one will NOT feature the option of sending me a “draft”—you have two weeks to do this, SO GET IT RIGHT!
Reflecting on the fire investigation process in your community, do you believe that it is thorough enough when it comes to determining the causes and ...
The document provides tips for improving fiction writing skills. It recommends taking writing classes, reading books on writing techniques, writing regularly, getting feedback from critique groups, identifying common writing weaknesses, and allowing time between drafting and revising. The goal is to develop skills through practice, feedback, and dedication to continuous learning over many years of writing.
1. This document provides a horoscope to determine one's personality based on their birth tree. It lists different trees and the corresponding birth date range for each.
2. For each tree, it gives a brief description of the typical personality traits of those born under that tree sign, such as traits like ambitious, generous, shy, and passionate.
3. It concludes by saying being near one's birth tree can help when feeling tired or having problems, and that nature in general can be good for one's well-being.
This article profiles Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. It discusses how she overcame obstacles as a woman to become the first Kenyan and first East/Central African woman to earn a doctorate degree. As an environmental activist, she founded the Green Belt Movement to plant trees and fight corruption/oppression in Kenya, winning her both praise and criticism. In 2004, the Nobel Committee recognized her work by awarding her the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to sustainable development, democracy, and peace.
The article discusses graffiti in Philadelphia from multiple perspectives. It notes that graffiti is popular in Philly but seen as vandalism by some. The city spends millions cleaning it annually. The article interviews a local graffiti artist, who notes he started tagging to showcase his art and gain recognition. He learns from other artists but considers risks and consequences, though is not concerned about being caught. The city could spend less cleaning if providing legal spaces for graffiti.
Sociology of Community- Service Learning HatchetDanielle Mueller
This document provides background information and activities for the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. It begins with biographical details about author Gary Paulsen, noting he had a difficult childhood and draws from personal experiences in his stories about survival and coming of age. The summary explains the plot of Hatchet, where a 13-year-old boy survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet. The document then lists major themes and includes chapter-by-chapter notes, vocabulary, discussion questions and activities to accompany reading the novel.
Bob Steck Memorial Service Presentation Vanessa Steck
Robert Neille Steck passed away on March 9, 2015 at the age of 70. He was born in Victoria, Texas and had a long career as a philosophy professor and consultant. He is remembered fondly by many for his humor, intelligence, generosity, and strength in battling cancer. He had a profound impact on those whose lives he touched through his teaching, conversations, and example of character.
A memoir explores personal experiences from the author's past that were meaningful. It tells a good story using vivid details and chronological order to bring events to life for readers. The memoir focuses on revealing the significance of key incidents or people rather than just stating their importance. Writers are encouraged to list impactful past events and choose one to describe in detail, explaining what happened and what it meant to them.
This document provides information about an upcoming creative writing class, including bringing a folder on Friday when laptops will be used for online journaling. It introduces the teacher through poems about her identity and summer experiences, and prompts students to create their own "I AM" poem by following the given structure and sharing it the next day.
The document provides guidance on writing a memoir, including choosing a meaningful life event to write about, such as a turning point, lesson learned, or experience that changed or strengthened the person. It recommends introducing the experience, providing necessary background details, and concluding by describing what was learned and why the event was significant. The writer should show rather than tell the story through sensory details, dialogue, thoughts and feelings. The structure and tone of the memoir can be chronological, use flashbacks, or be reflective in nature.
A memoir is a literary genre that is a subcategory of autobiography focused on personal experiences and themes rather than a complete life story. Memoirs have a flexible chronology and use vignettes rather than a novel structure. They are written for an audience other than the author and with a focus on plot lines rather than daily records like a diary. Reasons for writing a memoir include leaving a legacy, sharing a story, or reflecting on one's life and experiences. Famous memoirists of the past and present are mentioned.
This document provides guidance on writing a memoir in 5 steps:
1. Choose an important event to write about that you remember well
2. Start the memoir at the beginning of the event
3. Add vivid details that engage the senses to describe the event
4. Include reflection on the event and how you felt at the time
5. Proofread for errors, check that the writing meets assignment requirements, and submit the finished memoir
The document outlines a 12-step process for writing a memoir. It involves pre-writing exercises like listing important places and memories. Students then draft their memoir, revise it based on peer feedback, and proofread and publish the final version by printing it with a cover featuring a 6-word summary of the memoir. The process emphasizes turning off inner editors during early drafting and focusing revisions on clarifying key elements like impactful emotions and life lessons.
Memoirs allow writers to gain perspective on past events and experiences. They reflect on who the author was at a particular time. Memoirs explore a specific theme or incident from the author's life in an in-depth, reflective way. Effective memoirs are written in a first-person, conversational tone that brings readers into the reflection and lessons learned from the past.
A memoir is an autobiographical work that focuses on a single important event or time period from the author's life and reflects on its meaning. It is told from the first person perspective and aims to reveal the feelings and lessons learned from a true experience in the author's past through descriptive writing in a natural voice. When writing a memoir, authors should select a meaningful topic and ensure their perspective and emotions about the event come through for the reader.
The document provides guidance on writing a personal memoir by outlining its key elements: reflection, emotion, sequence, description, and events. It encourages reflecting on special memories and experiences to choose a memoir topic, then recalling the events in sequence while describing the scene and reflecting on emotions. An example memoir is provided about getting engaged that demonstrates these elements by recounting the events, describing the setting, and reflecting on feelings.
The document contains observations from a teacher trainee's journal of lessons taught during their practicum period.
1) The trainee observed that while the lessons aimed to follow a communicative approach, some activities like drills were more similar to an audiolingual method. Student reaction was generally positive but the trainee noted some ways to reduce anxiety and give more meaningful input.
2) Suggested improvements included giving students more opportunities to produce language themselves rather than relying on the teacher, and ensuring activities like listening have clear comprehension goals.
3) By the final lesson, the trainee recognized the value of focusing an entire unit on one topic like directions, rather than introducing new topics each lesson. Overall
The document provides 6 tips for writing a journal:
1. Make a commitment to write regularly by setting up a schedule and not skipping writing sessions.
2. Choose convenient and inspiring tools to write your journal, such as computer software that keeps the focus on content.
3. Write with any tool that is convenient, such as a computer for its searchability, security, and easy editing, or a small notebook when away from computer.
4. Just start writing to get in the flow, even if it's just a few words, as writing becomes easier with practice.
This document provides an overview of the craft and language used in Kiese Laymon's memoir Heavy. It discusses how Laymon uses words and their meanings throughout the book to explore themes like weight and shame. It also examines Laymon's use of dialect, repetition, sentence structure, and exploring the power of words. The document discusses how Laymon finds his authentic voice that incorporates his region of Mississippi. It encourages finding one's own authentic voice and provides examples from Heavy and other books on writing about writing and the writing process.
Class 1: What Made THE TENDER BAR a Best-selling Memoir?Brooke Warner
This document provides an overview and analysis of the structure and themes of J.R. Moehringer's memoir "The Tender Bar". It summarizes that the memoir follows a linear, coming-of-age structure over 44 chapters from when the author was age 7 to young adulthood. It tracks the major themes of searching for manhood and father figures, belonging, truth and lying that are woven throughout the story. It also discusses how the author uses memory passages, time markers, and specific places and objects to immerse the reader in the story and guide them through time and space.
ENG 30 INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE PROF. GENE MCQUILLANSPRTanaMaeskm
ENG 30: INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
PROF. GENE MCQUILLAN
SPRING 2021 FINAL EXAM
ALL OF THE QUESTIONS REQUIRE THAT YOU REFER TO
THESE FOUR TEXTS:
=Sherman Alexie, “Superman and Me”
=Isabel Allende, “Reading the History of the World”
=the “Transcript” of the interview between Michiko Kakutani and President Barack Obama
=Alison Bechdel, Fun Home
I expect a QUOTE from each text. Make sure to use the formats we have reviewed! Please write an essay—not a list. As always, please do more than just list examples and then stop—I expect a patient and challenging conclusion to the essay.
Please do NOT refer to any outside sources or to our other readings, such as The Great Gatsby.
There are THREE questions. Choose ONE. Please do not copy the question—just indicate the letter of your choice.
QUESTIONS:
A) In all of these texts, these writers speak of how reading allowed them to claim their identity, to raise their voice, to see their world more clearly, to find the words they had been unable to say. Refer to a specific example of this process from each of the texts. Which readings (or types of readings) are mentioned? What sort of effects did these readings have on the people reading them? What might be significant about the choices they made or the reactions they had?
B) In all of these texts, these writers speak of reading and writing as a social process, one that deeply involves their families. Refer to a specific example of this process from each of the texts. Which readings are chosen and shared? Who shares them with whom? Why and how might these exchanges of texts and ideas matter?
C) In all of these readings, the writers recall that they were very curious about a range of different texts. In what ways were they influenced by “classic literature” and in what ways did they also search for inspiration in texts that might not be considered “literature?” Refer to a specific example of this process from each of the texts. Which readings (or types of readings) are mentioned? What sort of readings seem to have the most profound effects on each author? What might be significant about the types of readings that they chose and considered most influential?
It is worth 8 points (all-or-nothing). It needs to be emailed in a Word file (or just “pasted” into an email), by NOON on Thursday, June 10th.
To get 8 points, you need to:
—Write at least 600 words.
—Refer to ALL four texts.
—Refer to specific and relevant statements. Please include a quote from EACH of the texts, and when you “quote,” follow the formats we’ve reviewed.
—Do more than write a “list” of references. What MATTERS about the statements and texts you chose?
One more key thing>>
Unlike all of our previous assignments, this one will NOT feature the option of sending me a “draft”—you have two weeks to do this, SO GET IT RIGHT!
Reflecting on the fire investigation process in your community, do you believe that it is thorough enough when it comes to determining the causes and ...
Sherman Alexie describes how he learned to read from a Superman comic book as a young boy growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. His father filled their home with books from various sources and instilled in him a love of reading. Alexie realized the purpose of paragraphs by observing comic book panels, pretending to read the words and narrate the story. He became an avid reader, often reading late into the night to continue learning. As a smart Indian, Alexie faced resistance from others who wanted him to conform to low expectations. He persisted in reading to save his life and eventually became a writer himself, now visiting schools to teach and inspire Native American students.
The Way to Rainy Mountain1. In many ways, Momaday is writing .docxssusera34210
The Way to Rainy Mountain
1. In many ways, Momaday is writing a memoir of a people, the Kiowas, not just himself or his grandmother. How does he use events from his own life and his grandmother’s life as a lens through which he can talk about the Kiowas?
2. This memoir is filled with visual imagery. Find five places where Momaday uses detail, to heighten the reader’s experience with the text. Then find one place each in which he uses sound, touch, smell, and taste to describe the world he is remembering.
3. Nature itself is a character in this memoir. Where in this memoir does nature seem to be taking on a living role? In what ways does Momaday use nature to move the story in this memoir forward?
The College Hazing That Changed My Life
1. An effective memoir usually starts fast with a “lead” that draws the reader in and hints at the memoir’s overall meaning or “theme.” Sometimes, as in this case, it takes the reader right into heart of the main action before backing up and providing background. How effectively does this strategy work in this memoir?
2. Rogers sets the scene with rich and vivid details. He moves from various scenes, painting brief but compelling portraits of key people, from family members to his athletic team members. He also fills scenes with sensory details (sight, touch, sound, and smell). Find specific places where this variety and richness in detail make the memoir more powerful.
3. At the heart of any memoir (or story) is a complication that the author grapples with and needs to resolve. In this memoir, what is the conflict that draws readers in and makes this more than just a personal story? How does he resolve that conflict, and how would you describe his new understanding?
4. Memoirs usually conclude with a point or “implied thesis.” How would you describe the author’s new understanding? What general point (or points) does the author make?
The College Hazing That Changed My Life
I had no idea college was going to be so much like a gay porn movie. That’s what I kept thinking as I stood in the middle of a sun-dappled backyard, dressed in nothing but a spandex unitard and running shoes, preparing to have oil poured over my body. For the last two hours, 10 other young rowers and I had been undergoing “initiation” to my university’s varsity crew team. After two weeks of tryouts, we had finally made the grade, and this was our reward: An afternoon of embarrassing hazing activities, followed by a homoerotic climax that seemed to have come straight out of my 17-year-old gay subconscious.
Our team captain, a 200-pound hulk of a man, was walking from freshman to freshman with a large vat of vegetable oil, and letting it cascade all over them one by one. “Be prepared to have the worst acne of your lives over the next week,” he warned us. A tarp nearby had also been covered in oil, and other members of the team were streaming into the backyard with bottles of beer to watch what was about to happen. When my turn ...
Example 1 Student Example Professor C.N. Myers .docxSANSKAR20
Example 1
Student Example
Professor C.N. Myers
English 1010-E01
5 May 2009
Don’t Ever Let Someone Tell You That You Can’t Do Something:
A Literacy Narrative
I will never forget learning how to read and write for the very first time. I used to closely
watch my sister do her work for college. Then, I would innocently sit by her and read a book to
mimic her. This memory immediately comes to my head when I think about how I learned to
read. I remember my sister getting me ready for a bath on one warm summer night before my
first day of kindergarten. I told her how excited I was for the next day and asked her, “Will I
learn how to read and count?” She replied with “Yes, you’re going to learn your ABCs and your
123s and everything else.” I went onto to ask her, “But what are ABCs?” She said, “You’ll find
out.” Then, I washed up quickly and continued to get ready for the next day.
Ever since that first day, I would annoyingly show my sister my books and worksheets
and ask her about every word I couldn’t pronounce. She would tell me to just sound them out
instead of telling me every one of them. So I did exactly that. I would patiently sit there every
day and analyze words that I couldn’t say. I broke them down word by word, never giving up. I
would divide the words up by their letters as if they were math problems. I built word upon word
every day. I was fascinated by books series such as Arthur and The Bernstein Bears. I loved
everything about them from the way they felt in my hand to the world that they took me into just
by reading. I also mimicked my brother when he did his reading for school. I loved being
around my siblings and doing everything they did, no matter what it was. So while they were
Example 2
reading to accomplish goals in school, my earliest recollections of reading and writing were
simply for the enjoyment of being closer to the people I loved the most.
As I went through elementary school, I always especially enjoyed reading books and
writing. I used to read books such as Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants and Jeff Kinney’s Diary
of a Wimpy Kid. I would read the books then rewrite my own version of a certain chapter
because I thought my version would be more interesting and whimsical. I had composition
books full of my imaginative writings. They also had different cartoon sketches I would make
up. Those books were amazingly colorful due to the fact that I wrote mostly with colored
pencils. I spent months upon months perfecting those composition notebooks that I called books.
Page by page, I would fill them up. I remember also asking my friends for help along the way.
They weren’t as interesting; in fact, they may have thought it was a little silly for me to actually
think my writings were real books. I remember days where I used to get in trouble for writing
those things in school without permission. Books that I read throug ...
The writer struggles to concisely define what "we are" in response to being asked to write about the two-word phrase for the magazine. After several attempts, the writer realizes they do not truly know how to summarize all of humanity in a few words. People are contradictory and complex, containing both good and bad traits. Ultimately, the writer is happy acknowledging this complexity rather than oversimplifying human nature.
This document provides 10 tips for becoming a writer from the author's experience. The tips include publishing your writing, setting deadlines, learning storytelling, reading widely, learning constantly while becoming an expert in nothing, stealing or being inspired by other writers, facing difficult realities without looking away, enduring the frustrations of the writing process, surrounding yourself with other creative people, and consistently writing daily. The author shares some challenges and struggles they faced on their writing journey in order to inspire and help others to become writers. They invite the reader to join a program to help transition from aspiring to daily writers.
The document discusses the many forms and uses of writing including tests, magazines, instructions, puzzles, games, radio scripts, comic strips, newspapers, letters, movies, textbooks, recipes, journals, news reports, TV shows, diaries, jokes, manuals, emails, advertisements, poetry, speeches, plays, songs, and more. It emphasizes that writing allows us to learn from the past, share ideas across distances, and leave our ideas for the future. The document also provides examples of how to write books like choose your own adventure stories and discusses how writing is an enjoyable activity for both children and adults.
The Joy of Reading and Writing Superman .docxchristalgrieg
The
Joy
of
Reading
and
Writing:
Superman
and
Me
by
Sherman
Alexie
Los
Angeles
Times,
April
19
1998
I learned to read with a Superman comic book. Simple enough, I suppose. I cannot recall which
particular Superman comic book I read, nor can I remember which villain he fought in that issue. I
cannot remember the plot, nor the means by which I obtained the comic book. What I can remember
is this: I was 3 years old, a Spokane Indian boy living with his family on the Spokane Indian
Reservation in eastern Washington state. We were poor by most standards, but one of my parents
usually managed to find some minimum-wage job or another, which made us middle-class by
reservation standards. I had a brother and three sisters. We lived on a combination of irregular
paychecks, hope, fear and government surplus food.
My father, who is one of the few Indians who went to Catholic school on purpose, was an avid
reader of westerns, spy thrillers, murder mysteries, gangster epics, basketball player biographies and
anything else he could find. He bought his books by the pound at Dutch's Pawn Shop, Goodwill,
Salvation Army and Value Village. When he had extra money, he bought new novels at
supermarkets, convenience stores and hospital gift shops. Our house was filled with books. They
were stacked in crazy piles in the bathroom, bedrooms and living room. In a fit of unemployment-
inspired creative energy, my father built a set of bookshelves and soon filled them with a random
assortment of books about the Kennedy assassination, Watergate, the Vietnam War and the entire
23-book series of the Apache westerns. My father loved books, and since I loved my father with an
aching devotion, I decided to love books as well.
I can remember picking up my father's books before I could read. The words themselves were
mostly foreign, but I still remember the exact moment when I first understood, with a sudden clarity,
the purpose of a paragraph. I didn't have the vocabulary to say "paragraph," but I realized that a
paragraph was a fence that held words. The words inside a paragraph worked together for a
common purpose. They had some specific reason for being inside the same fence. This knowledge
delighted me. I began to think of everything in terms of paragraphs. Our reservation was a small
paragraph within the United States. My family's house was a paragraph, distinct from the other
paragraphs of the LeBrets to the north, the Fords to our south and the Tribal School to the west.
Inside our house, each family member existed as a separate paragraph but still had genetics and
common experiences to link us. Now, using this logic, I can see my changed family as an essay of
seven paragraphs: mother, father, older brother, the deceased sister, my younger twin sisters and
our adopted little brother.
At the same time I was seeing the world in paragraphs, I also picked up that Supe ...
GrammarPlease correct the following run-ons, fragments, and jesseniasaddler
Grammar
Please correct the following run-ons, fragments, and comma errors in the sentences below. If a sentence is correct, write a C beside it. Each question is worth a total of two points for a total of 30 points in this section.
I enjoyed Ta-Nehesi Coates'
Between the World and Me
. Despite the fact that I generally don't read non-fiction.
Coates' book is about identity; the impossible task of freeing one's self from self and societally imposed labels to reach oneś true potential.
Working a full-time job can make completing your coursework difficult. Struggling to balance the demands of work and school.
There are many ways to improve your essay. For example, strengthening assertions, deepening analysis, and expanding support, to name a few.
Although Caroline tried to eat all of her sushi. She just managed to finish a bit of her unagi roll.
I enjoyed the graphic novel
The Complete Persepolis
, however, I tend to read more classics than contemporary works.
The next time you decide to watch TV, don't watch the news, watch a sitcom.
The internet was down, therefore, I was unable to complete my midterm.
After Coates learns his friend and Howard University classmate, Prince Jones has been killed, he searches for answers through his journalistic writing and in the form of his book.
In the Middle Ages, the streets of London were dangerous places; it was safer to travel by boat along the Thames.
I like to do yoga in the mornings, and then jog in the afternoons with my best friend.
In 2014 women outnumbered men as students at most colleges.
During the church service many of the elders stepped outside to pray for the sick child.
Roger is learning how to windsurf but he seldom practices on the San Francisco Bay.
Kelly brought her sunscreen, her hat her towel and her umbrella to the lake.
Analyzing the Reading
Imagine this is a quote you are using in an essay. Interpret what you believe this particular quote means or reveals in 5-10 sentences.
Choose 6
of the 7 quotes to respond to. Each answer is worth 10 points. I'm looking for clarity of thought, cohesion, in-depth analysis, and relatively few grammar or punctuation errors.
Remember, don't repeat what the quote is saying in different words, but rather what you believe is the significance of it.
1. From Marjane Satrapi's
The Complete Persepolis
: After Marjane's father comes home late from photographing political protests and his family fears he is dead, Marjane responds to her family's story telling and laughter in the following way: "Something escaped me. Cadaver, Cancer, Death, Murderer. Laughter? Ha ha ha ha! I realized then that I didn't understand anything. I read all the books I could" (32).
2. From Marjane Satrapi's
The Complete Persepolis
: After Marjane hears girls gossiping about her in a cafe: "You are going to shut up or I am going to make you! I am Iranian and proud of it!"-- They respond, "She is completely crazy."--Marjane storms out of the cafe, ...
The simplified electron and muon model, Oscillating Spacetime: The Foundation...RitikBhardwaj56
Discover the Simplified Electron and Muon Model: A New Wave-Based Approach to Understanding Particles delves into a groundbreaking theory that presents electrons and muons as rotating soliton waves within oscillating spacetime. Geared towards students, researchers, and science buffs, this book breaks down complex ideas into simple explanations. It covers topics such as electron waves, temporal dynamics, and the implications of this model on particle physics. With clear illustrations and easy-to-follow explanations, readers will gain a new outlook on the universe's fundamental nature.
বাংলাদেশের অর্থনৈতিক সমীক্ষা ২০২৪ [Bangladesh Economic Review 2024 Bangla.pdf] কম্পিউটার , ট্যাব ও স্মার্ট ফোন ভার্সন সহ সম্পূর্ণ বাংলা ই-বুক বা pdf বই " সুচিপত্র ...বুকমার্ক মেনু 🔖 ও হাইপার লিংক মেনু 📝👆 যুক্ত ..
আমাদের সবার জন্য খুব খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বই ..বিসিএস, ব্যাংক, ইউনিভার্সিটি ভর্তি ও যে কোন প্রতিযোগিতা মূলক পরীক্ষার জন্য এর খুব ইম্পরট্যান্ট একটি বিষয় ...তাছাড়া বাংলাদেশের সাম্প্রতিক যে কোন ডাটা বা তথ্য এই বইতে পাবেন ...
তাই একজন নাগরিক হিসাবে এই তথ্য গুলো আপনার জানা প্রয়োজন ...।
বিসিএস ও ব্যাংক এর লিখিত পরীক্ষা ...+এছাড়া মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চমাধ্যমিকের স্টুডেন্টদের জন্য অনেক কাজে আসবে ...
Macroeconomics- Movie Location
This will be used as part of your Personal Professional Portfolio once graded.
Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
Introduction to AI for Nonprofits with Tapp NetworkTechSoup
Dive into the world of AI! Experts Jon Hill and Tareq Monaur will guide you through AI's role in enhancing nonprofit websites and basic marketing strategies, making it easy to understand and apply.
Executive Directors Chat Leveraging AI for Diversity, Equity, and InclusionTechSoup
Let’s explore the intersection of technology and equity in the final session of our DEI series. Discover how AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be used to support and enhance your nonprofit's DEI initiatives. Participants will gain insights into practical AI applications and get tips for leveraging technology to advance their DEI goals.
How to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP ModuleCeline George
In Odoo, the chatter is like a chat tool that helps you work together on records. You can leave notes and track things, making it easier to talk with your team and partners. Inside chatter, all communication history, activity, and changes will be displayed.
it describes the bony anatomy including the femoral head , acetabulum, labrum . also discusses the capsule , ligaments . muscle that act on the hip joint and the range of motion are outlined. factors affecting hip joint stability and weight transmission through the joint are summarized.
This presentation includes basic of PCOS their pathology and treatment and also Ayurveda correlation of PCOS and Ayurvedic line of treatment mentioned in classics.
A Strategic Approach: GenAI in EducationPeter Windle
Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies such as Generative AI, Image Generators and Large Language Models have had a dramatic impact on teaching, learning and assessment over the past 18 months. The most immediate threat AI posed was to Academic Integrity with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) focusing their efforts on combating the use of GenAI in assessment. Guidelines were developed for staff and students, policies put in place too. Innovative educators have forged paths in the use of Generative AI for teaching, learning and assessments leading to pockets of transformation springing up across HEIs, often with little or no top-down guidance, support or direction.
This Gasta posits a strategic approach to integrating AI into HEIs to prepare staff, students and the curriculum for an evolving world and workplace. We will highlight the advantages of working with these technologies beyond the realm of teaching, learning and assessment by considering prompt engineering skills, industry impact, curriculum changes, and the need for staff upskilling. In contrast, not engaging strategically with Generative AI poses risks, including falling behind peers, missed opportunities and failing to ensure our graduates remain employable. The rapid evolution of AI technologies necessitates a proactive and strategic approach if we are to remain relevant.
A review of the growth of the Israel Genealogy Research Association Database Collection for the last 12 months. Our collection is now passed the 3 million mark and still growing. See which archives have contributed the most. See the different types of records we have, and which years have had records added. You can also see what we have for the future.
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty,
International FDP on Fundamentals of Research in Social Sciences
at Integral University, Lucknow, 06.06.2024
By Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
1. HOW TO WRITE A
» MEMOIR
Seven practices for creating a memoir that sings.
by Shirley Hershey Showalter
2. What did your parents want most when you were born?
When I was born, my mother My mother was a writer, dreamer, mys- onto the scene in 1948, the first of six love in 1967. I am now a writer, speaker,
»
was 21, and my father was tic, and speaker in addition to being a children, five of whom lived to adult- blogger, and consultant.
23. Here we are on the family make-everything–from-scratch cook, hood. I married in 1969, went on to a Moving 625 miles in December
farm, winter, 1948: gardener, and all-around farmer’s wife. career in teaching, became an English 2010 was a big change. Yet we turned
My father was a hard-drivin’ man, the professor at Goshen College, had two right around after our first grandson was
John Henry figure of my life. After children, and then, at the age of 47, born in March 2011 and moved again.
1960, when he bought the family farm, became the 14th president, and first fe- In July 2011, we became nannies for a
he had a mortgage to pay off, and that male president, of Goshen College. Af- year to baby Owen in Brooklyn, N.Y.
meant grueling work from dawn to dusk ter eight years as president and six years We are now taking care of our grandson
seven days a week all year long. as a foundation executive in Kalamazoo, during the day and exploring the city by
Out of this combination of op- Mich., I returned to Harrisonburg, Va., night. We’re keeping up with our other
posites in personality but stability in to live in the place where my husband work during the early morning and on
faith and rootedness, I came bounding grew up and where we met and fell in weekends, I’m back to farmer’s hours
page 1
3. again!
My favorite literary genre is memoir — personal stories about real people. In second grade, my favorite book was called Heroes
and Heroines, featuring real people in American history. These folks took whatever circumstances their birth had given them and
made something beautiful out of it. Reading biography and autobiography fascinated me as much as any novel or short story.
The relevance to my own life seemed more immediate: “If Benjamin Franklin could become a great statesman even
though he walked down the streets of Philadelphia chewing on the only food he could afford as a young man —hard rolls —
Since you asked for “How to Write a Memoir,” you too I’m here to be your cheer-
leader and “guide by the
must resonate with the life stories of others and have side” as you set out on a
an interest in learning more about writing memoir. memoir journey.
who knows what amazing things could com, has been helping writers and read-
happen to me? If Amelia Earhart was ers of memoir since 2009. I am under
afraid before she became brave, or brave contract with Herald Press to publish
and afraid at the same time, perhaps I my childhood memoir with this work-
can learn to conquer my own fears!” ing title: Rosy Cheeks: A Mennonite
How have I prepared myself to act Childhood. As I share snippets of my
as a memoir coach? My short memoir life story, I will ask you questions that
essays have been honored by the re- stimulate your own memories, probably
nowned Santa Barbara Writers Confer- very different from mine.
ence, the Kalamazoo Gazette, and the
Soul-Making Literary Contest in San
Francisco. My blog, www.100memoirs.
page 2
4. Because other readers and writers have asked me
what I’ve learned about memoir by reading and
writing all my life,
I boiled down my experiences with life stories into six practices (and a bonus) to
share with you. I am confident that if you follow these, you will leave a wonder-
ful legacy with your own memoir. Sing it!
Seven Practices for Creating a Memoir that Sings
1. Create a daily ritual asking for help, discipline, and guidance as you write.
Select some practices that speak to you from the list below. Which ones call to you?
• Pray, meditate, and read sacred or • Movement. Yoga. Walking. Jog- • Set a timer to remind you to stop • Accountability partner. Find an-
inspirational texts. Mary Karr, one of ging. Biking. Unclutter the mind and and do something else after 20-25 other writer, preferably one who lives
the best memoir writers of our time, involve the body. I recently learned minutes of writing. By doing so, you close by (but Skype can work, too).
begins each writing session with a about chi walking and am trying to concentrate the mind for a short time. Share your goals with each other.
prayer for guidance. Choose touch- practice it. I have a list of upper- and (It’s amazing how fast we can write Start with 90 days from now. Then
stones — literal stones, candles, or lower-body exercises to do around the when we feel the urgency of a timer). 60. Then 30. Then break down that
other objects from the place and time house when I take breaks. And, equally important, you don’t get month into weeks and days. As you
you want to write about — to help sucked into permanently bad posture enter a new week, declare your top
you meditate. and Internet rabbit holes. three commitments, using your larger
goal list. Share your commitments to
number of pages or hours of writing –
and hang tough with each other.
page 3
5. 1. Continued
• Create a sacred writing place or • Go through old photos, one per day. I think I could write an essay now on • Visit the place you want to write
places. For some, it’s a huge desk and Find something in it you have never the father’s shadow on a young girl’s about. Walk the land with intent to
a view of the mountains, fields, or seen before. For example, in the 1948 life. As thanks for signing up for this let in the memories and spirits from
water. For others, it’s a closet with no photo of my mother and me on page booklet, you will be receiving short the past while consciously enjoying
sensory stimulation. 1, the shadow of my father’s head can weekly “magical memoir moments” the present moment.
be seen in the foreground. Noticing to stimulate your own search for clues
that in the photo gave me a little shiver. to your past.
2. Read, read, read! You should eventually read 100 memoirs. Start with one you love.
Then read another.
(Here are my own favorites: http://ShirleyShowalter.com/2011/05/06/shirleys-top-five-memoirs/).Read them not just for the story, but also for struc-
ture, characterization, mix of reflection and action, dialogue, tone, and theme. Write a book review (on a website such as www.goodreads.com or
your own blog), using a grid of whatever you want to study most in the work of others. A few sentences of summary about what you discovered in
each of these areas will accumulate as your own graduate curriculum. Mary Karr says, “Read above your station. Read the best there is.”
• Develop mentor authors. Select five • For technology enthusiasts. If your • Read memoir blogs. Here are a few • And, of course, I would love to have
good memoirs – your favorites. Re- mentor authors are on Twitter, follow to consider. These will help you de- you subscribe to my own memoir
read these as you write. Underline. them. Offer them ideas. Respond to velop a sense of the kind of memoir blog, if you have not done so already.
Fold down pages of each section. (Or their questions. you are writing. My blogger friend And don’t just sign up. Comment.
use Post-It notes.) Make the book look • Take notes on what doesn’t work, as Richard Gilbert has a great blog roll. Use the blog as a way to engage other
like it has been in a hiker’s backpack all well as what does. Check it out here: http://richardgil- writers, as well as me.
summer. If the authors are alive, write bert.wordpress.com/ And here’s a list
them each a handwritten fan letter. of Top 50 Memoir blogs: http://www.
adulteducationcourse.org/memoirs
page 4
6. 3. Know your purpose: Why do you want to write?
There are many good reasons to write and a few not to. Think hard about the why of your memoir. Keep that purpose posted in places where you
write or where you will see it during your daily routine. You cannot transform others who read your book unless you yourself have been trans
formed. Writing a memoir is active participation in your own transformation. From haphazard and unfocused memories, you can create a work of
art. Your life will never be the same.
• Leaving a legacy for children and • Preserving memories likely to fade Connect your memoir to your mission
grandchildren. with age or disappear with death in life. Have you written a mission state-
ment? Now would be a great time to do Here’s my mission
• As a challenge. Some people run • To discover hidden mysteries of
marathons. You want to write one. your own life and the world in which so. If you have a driving purpose, you statement: I want to
you have lived. have tapped into the reason you are here prepare for the hour
• Fulfilling a life goal of writing a
on earth. When readers detect this kind of my death by liv-
book. • To tell YOUR side of a complex story
of devotion and focus, they are attracted ing one good day at
• Healing old wounds by bringing while trying to understand other per-
because they want some of this energy
spectives. a time. And I want
them to consciousness – and light. in their own lives. They also want to
But not whining about them or seek- know how you found yours.
to help others to do
ing revenge. the same.
4. Write about the process as you write your manuscript.
• Start a blog (optional, but easier than ence as you write. Warning: blogging • Become an observer of your own cre- sheer amazement – that’s when you
you may think). Check out www. takes up brain space and writing time. ative process. It will help you uncov- sing. The rest is just preparation. You
Posterous.com and www.Blogger. Don’t do it unless you have the time. er where you “sing” and where your might have to let it go and start over.
com for the easiest platforms. You It could distract from memoir writing voice falls flat. When you lose track of
can be blogging in minutes. The best rather than enhance it. time and are not thinking about your-
value of a blog is that you can learn • Keep a memoir writing journal. See self at all but rather about your pur-
by doing and engage with an audi- # 6 below. pose, your love for this world, your
page 5
7. 5. Create a timetable for your writing project, starting with the end in mind.
Make the goal challenging – six months or a year, depending on how much work you’ve already done. Then do a little simple math. Can you do
1,000 words/day or 5,000 words/week? Even if you only have a few hours to write each day, this goal is quite possible. At the end of a year of
producing 5,000 words/week, you would have more than 250,000 words! The average book length is 60,000-100,000 words.
6. Buy yourself a small notebook and keep it close by. Use it for two things:
• Keep track of your process. Make • Capture memories, ideas about struc-
it your goal to do five things every ture, or any other random thought
day that help you write or sell your you have while doing laundry, taking I like small, bright, Writersblok
book. Jack Canfield did this and be- a walk, or rocking the baby.
came the world’s best-selling author bamboo notebooks and Moleskines,
with his Chicken Soup for the Soul but any small notebook will do.
books. Record these five things in
your journal.
7. Bonus practices. You might want to publish your memoir.
(You don’t have to! This one is optional.) But if you do, spend some time every day building your platform as a writer:
• Attend a good writers conference in can help – especially if you already ideas of value. Blogging is probably www.janefriedman.com or www.mi-
your area and get to know the authors have built relationships there. Twit- the best way to build a platform if you chaelhyatt.com, you can learn a lot!
close to you. Your local independent ter, especially, can help you learn from are not famous. Of course, if you are
• If you choose mainstream publishing,
bookstore may be a good connecting agents, authors, and publishers. You famous, you have a platform already.
you need to find an agent first, which
point for networking. can comment on their blog posts,
• Self-publishing is a viable option. means writing a great query letter. My
“like” their Facebook pages, and feed
• Social media: Here’s where activity I’m not an expert, but if you follow blog offers critiques of query letters
them stories and ideas they can use.
on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn publishing experts online, such as from www.marlamiller.com
They will get to know you as you offer
page 6
8. These seven practices, if followed faithfully, will
help you create a wonderful memoir! Here is a pic-
ture of what motivates me — my grandson Owen,
who appears to be waiting to hear a good story. I
suggest you put up your own motivational picture.
Sing on!
As a thank-you for signing up for “How to Write a Memoir,” I will be sending you “Magical
Memoir Moments” each week to help you continue to sing your story. These are sent to you
with love so that all stories may be told. I invite you to subscribe to my blog, http://www.
shirleyshowalter.com, and I look forward to meeting you and continuing this discussion in the
comments section.
— Shirley Hershey Showalter
page 7