Last time we talked about taking a cue from Dani Shapiro and attempting to tell the story as we’re inside of it—potentially before the story has become a story. This requires us to write about life as it’s unfolding, trying to find the story in the actions and interactions that take place. We begin “capturing the living moments,” to borrow a phrase from Anais Nin. What … [Read more...]
Ep 116: Can You Write Your Story Before It’s Become a Story?
In her recently released memoir, Hourglass, Dani Shapiro says she used to teach her students that writers need distance from the event or events they intend to explore in memoir. I was quite certain that we could not write directly from our feelings, but only the memory of our feelings. How else to find the necessary ironic distance, the cool remove? How else to shape a … [Read more...]
#78: Your Best Material – The Practice of Remembering
This week I want to encourage you to dip into memories and memoir. Even though this veers from the more obvious platform series we’ve been in, it may, eventually, reveal more about who you are and what you want your platform to be about. I believe it’ll be time well spent. Think back to an event that seems small, yet feels packed with emotion. You don’t have to fully … [Read more...]
Now Is the Time to Tell Your Story
A friend of mine recommended I read Gilead. Even though it's a work of fiction, my friend said it inspired her to pass on to her children and grandchildren a similar (but real, nonfiction) reflection on her life. After finishing the book, I agreed and found myself wanting to capture some sense of Life As I Know It. I'd like to pass on to my family some of my thoughts, … [Read more...]
A Foreigner Sees the World
The world of my childhood centered on a small farm in the American Midwest where my parents leased out the fields and kept a herd of cattle. We gobbled down all-you-can-eat catfish at small-town diners and overheard farmers discussing crop rotation. I never expected to travel outside the United States—a trip to Florida was exotic enough for me. As for learning a second … [Read more...]
Curiosity Journal: Geography of Mind, Birdfeeders, Sarah Kay on Story, and Mini Flash Mob
Each Wednesday I’m recording a Curiosity Journal to recap the past week. Tag words are: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing. ::: Some of you have mentioned that you’re keeping a Curiosity Journal, as well. If you do, leave your link in the comments so that we can visit and enjoy your weekly review. … [Read more...]
Curiosity Journal: June 1, 2011
I’m recording an occasional Curiosity Journal, a recap of the past week or so. Tag words are: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing. ::: Reading: I managed to finish a chapter in Sophie's World this weekend, about the Epicureans, Neoplatonism, and Mysticism. As I read, especially the mysticism section, I kept thinking about a friend who said, "I think our kids … [Read more...]
One Lone Duck Egg – Memoir
I was ten, maybe, visiting my friend Becky, who lived on a farm down the street where they raised cows, pigs, and ducks. She and I spotted a lone duck egg that had fallen from its nest into the pond. I held onto a tree trunk and leaned out to coax the egg toward us using a long stick, finally pulling it close enough to pluck it from the water. Becky’s mom said I could … [Read more...]
