10 Million Links to Help Make Your Memoir Stand Out (Part 1)
Cindy Zelman of Boston, Massachusetts, has written a fabulous article about writing memoir. It’s so great I wanted to share it with all of you. Today’s guest post is Part 1, with Part 2 to follow next Monday, March 11. If you enjoy this article (which I am sure you will) please be sure to post a comment and show some appreciation to Cindy. “10 Million Links to Help Make Your Memoir Stand Out! (Part 1)” Or, some simple advice for those new to memoir writing. If you Google the phrase, How to make your memoir stand out, you will receive 3+ million hits within a few seconds. Sometimes that phrase yields up to 10 million hits. Either way, that’s a lot of information. Who am I to give you advice with such a crowd of experts waiting for you to click on a...
Read MoreFARM GIRLS Available Now!
My sister (Candace Simar) and I have really enjoyed getting together to read from our new book —sharing some of our stories about childhood and a little of what it’s like to live in today’s world. Farm Girls is about memory and loss. About looking back and moving forward. Some of it’s funny and some of it sad. If you grew up on a farm, you will appreciate the stories! But even if you are a city dweller, the thoughts from this book will still resonate. If you live near Pine City and would like to purchase a copy of our new book Farm Girls, it is now available at Pine Center for the Arts and Creek’s Edge in Rock Creek. My sister and I will be reading from our book and signing copies at Pine Center for the Arts during the March gallery...
Read MoreDo You Make This Writing Mistake?
Memoir writers need tension in their stories. Our true character is revealed under pressure. Think back to the emotional moments in your life. What did you learn about yourself? How did you react to the stress? High emotions such as fear, grief, jealousy, or anger are the perfect moments to write about. Show the stress. Show your reaction. By doing this, you’ll reveal yourself. A perfect recipe for a great memoir story. P.S. If you live near the Brainerd area, please stop by the Q Gallery at the Franklin Art Center between 1 – 3 p.m., on Saturday, January 26, 2013. River Place Press will be introducing Farm Girls, a collection of stories and poetry I have co-written with my sister Candace Simar. The Crossing Arts Alliance will serve snacks and...
Read MoreTalking Stick is Open for Submissions!
The Jackpine Writers’ Bloc of Northern Minnesota has just opened Talking Stick Volume 22 for submissions. They are giving a $300 prize for first place and a $100 prize for second place in the categories of Poetry, Fiction and Creative Nonfiction. It must be unpublished work. Fiction submissions must be less than 1500 words and creative nonfiction must be under 1,000 words. I always tell my students to double space submissions, but their call-out requires single spacing. Follow the directions and be bold with your submissions!! If your piece is chosen, your work will be showcased among some great Minnesota writers. You might even win the big prize. Here’s the link: http://www.jackpinewriters.com/ts22/ Best of luck to everyone! Remember to submit by...
Read MoreThe #1 Way to Build Tension & Writing Boot Camp Link
What’s the #1 way to build tension in a scene? Writers often move too quickly. Build tension in your written scene by slowing down the action. Let the scene unfold moment by moment. In real time the scene may have happened quickly–perhaps in seconds. But in a written scene, we need to linger on the details. Give some hint as to what the character is thinking as it happens. Put everything into slow motion and describe the sun glinting off the water. The grit of sand on skin. Whatever the details of your story may be, let them unfold slowly. Allow your reader to feel the importance of the moment. P.S. As promised, here is the link to the Creative Writing Boot Camp in Brainerd, MN, on January 12, 2013. My sister Candace Simar and I will co-teach this...
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