Memoir Writing

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Memoir Writing = A Meld of Memory & Imagination

Sunday, June 7th, 2009

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Lakewood Loop River Misty

That’s not my idea.  But what a relief when I read it in Christine Rainer’s How to Tell your Life Story.  Having rough drafted Book1 of Changing Colors, I was concerned I’d made too much use of imagination, which, like some evil snake, couldn’t resist hissing from inside my wicker basket.  My inner critic, Detective Joe Friday on that old timey TV series Dragnet, kept insisting, “Just the facts, maam.  Just the facts.”

But take a gander at some of wise Christine’s quotes.

“The truth one seeks in autobiographical writing is not literal truth as emotional truth.”  And next paragraph, “Mixing imagination with memory is a powerful technique, perhaps the most important secret of autobiographic writing I will teach you (page 109).

My hope is that you will write your own life story.  Why should the great stuff you’ve got housed inside your heart and soul drift off like the mists on my 80 Lakewood Loop river?

Lakewood Loop River

Lakewood Loop River

How heroic of you to leave your shifting states of consciousness for future generations to ponder and enjoy.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I’m wondering: Did you find the Ronnie in Chapter 2 a likable and believable character?  Are you craving to feel what he felt, when his Princess Vicksburg and shadow brother Bega got snatched away?  What vows do you intuit he made?

As always, I thank you in advance for your comments.

Memoir Writing as Tripping… and Shape Shifting

Monday, June 1st, 2009

In “Chapter 1-Dancing on the Dangerous Side,” I got the opportunity to enter the consciousness of 45 year-old-Ron Naas (rhymes with not the boss).  To borrow a phrase from Eckhart Tolle, except for Ron’s remembrances of his Princess Vicksburg, he’s mainly in his “pain body.”  I do enjoy being Midlife Mess Ron for a spell, probably because I’m pleasured by his blues rifts, or as my son Steffen calls them, his rants.

Ronnie 4th Grade

Ronnie 4th Grade

In “Chapter 2-Stuff That Could Send Me To Cherokee,” I will offer you the chance to time travel and become 4th grade Ronnie-the year around 1952.  This character tickles me, his voice one that’s worked with Dr. Nash and this author for neigh on 20 years.  In “Chapter 3-Peeking through Kashmir’s Keyhole,” this writer from memory and imagination will return to love-seeking Ron and his rant chants.  “Chapter 4, Fleeing up My Lady’s Backstairs” will explain his Little Affliction, which casts him into a sea of doubt.  (His Big Affliction won’t be revealed till way later, but believe you me, he sure does leave lots of clues.)

Sisters

Sisters

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