It turns out that when you retread your memories over and over again, they become less “your memory” and more “the memory of your memory.” After 9/11, some researchers went out and recorded people’s memories of the event, three thousand people’s worth. Eleven months later, they asked the same questions, and thirty-five months later. The memories were […]
What’s your earliest memory, sunshine? Read More »
I’ve been thinking more about memories, memoirs, telling personal stories rather than just fictitious ones. So how do you start a memoir? Where? I’m tempted to look it up. “Top 10 Ways to Start Off Writing Your Memoirs.” “You Weren’t Paying Attention, Were You: 5 Strategies for Assembling Your Past Without Pissing Off Your
Finally reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, which, if you don’t know it, is a writer-book that starts off by advising writers to dig into their pasts. For some reason it struck me this morning that, although both sides of my parents’ families gossip and definitely have a few legendary stories, neither side really
Family Stories (Where did they go?) Read More »
*Research in progress. Lately I’ve been having–or, rather, subjecting other people to–conversations about how to make stories that are better than well-crafted. I’m at this weird point where I acknowledge that becoming better at my craft is going to be a lifelong project…but there’s something more out there to writing than just craft.
How to Make a Story a Classic* Read More »
