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Since Wrote By Rote is a blog about memoir my Blogging from A to Z April Challenge theme will be accordingly related. In past years I've used A to Z to tell stories specifically about my own life experiences. This year I'll take a different approach that might be helpful to you readers who are in the process of writing a memoir or might one day consider doing so.
My A to Z theme for 2015 will be "The Elements of Memoir". This could of course cover many things such as the literary devices that make up a memoir. Those devices such as voice, setting, truth, story, or interpretation are the important mechanics that deliver the memoir effectively to the reader. However, the technical aspects are not the heart and soul of the memoir--that heart and soul are the elements I want to explore in my A to Z theme.
In my April series I'll be looking at the types of memoir stories. What is it that people want to read about? What is the subject matter that makes a life what it is and unique from the stories of other lives? We connect and relate to others and it's important to allow the readers to empathize with the stories in our lives. Our stories should command the attention of the readers while remaining a part of the story of the human experience.
We each have our own stories to tell to the world. Often we don't recognize the value of our stories, but those stories have value that attract the interest of others and unless we come to understand those stories we may go through our lives with the thought, "No one would be interested in my life."
You might be surprised at how interesting your memoir stories actually are and then maybe you will understand their value when you realize that others might enjoy hearing these stories. My A to Z theme will assess some ideas for you to consider.
If you'd like to join the fun in April go sign up at Blogging from A to Z Challenge. You can find other A to Z Themes at A to Z Theme Reveal. Lot's of fun coming soon! Hope you'll be joining us.
Do you think you have life events worth telling to others? How do you think the relatively mundane can be made more interesting? What is a favorite memoir that you have read?
Hi Lee - interesting that you've left your theme somewhat open-ended .. definitely makes posting easier .. I'm looking forward to the A-Z - thanks for your bright idea - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI don't like to be overly confined. Like I am in my physical life I tend to be literarily claustrophobic.
DeleteLee
I look forward to it. I enjoy memoirs. A peek into the lives of others.
ReplyDeleteBushman
2015 A to Z Challenge Ambassador
@jwb81074
I hope to inspire others to start writing.
DeleteLee
I'm looking forward to this topic as I've often thought about writing one too, but not sure if anyone would care that much to read about my life. I've done and seen a lot of cool things, but I don't know if others would find them as cool as I do.
ReplyDeleteStart writing vignettes to test on your blog. In a way you already do actually when you are telling about your walks, your craft working and other things you do. People seem to find those interesting.
DeleteLee
I started writing fiction because the muse showed up. When I slowed down, I had time to think. One aspect of the memoir I have wanted to write was about my sister's schizophrenia. What holds me back is the ineptness of healthcare for folks with mental health. To tell it like it is, I am afraid of people defending themselves and filing a lawsuit. You learn quick about how people you would never think would do it, take advantage of someone with a mental disability.
ReplyDeleteI can relate as my youngest brother has been institutionalized with schizophrenia for over 30 years. It's a tough situation to deal with. Now that my mother has passed I've become his conservator and it's difficult to know exactly what is right. I leave his care to the hands of the state, but I sometimes wonder if there could be a better way. It's something you might want to consider writing about--there are many others who might be interested in what you have to say.
DeleteLee
I think most anything can be interesting if told correctly. I like it when someone telling of something that happened long past connects it to and fleshes it out with the age and the times it happened in. Personally, I use a humorous tone whenever possible to relate stories. And a little exaggeration i.e. "the misquotes were so bad I didn't have but an once of blood left in me."
ReplyDeleteI think you picked a perfect theme for yourself! And that it is only fitting that as the founder of the Challenge you reveal first.
Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Humor can go a long way if done lovingly and intelligently. It can also hurt if used improperly. A story well told is one worth hearing more than once.
DeleteLee
The key is to find the story within the mundane and weave around that.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that anyone actually finds themselves absolutely boring, they just think others find them boring. That is not always true though.
DeleteLee
I have to admit I'm know next to nothing about memoirs, I look forward to your insights. I fear my life would be interesting to no one but my family ;).
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
We are all interesting to some one else even if we are not interesting to absolutely everybody. Some people might be surprised to know who might be interested in their life.
DeleteLee
Looking forward to seeing your posts, Arlee. :-) I am interested in memoir, and have been posting some of my own stories since January.
ReplyDeleteYou are a frequent visitor here so you have an idea of what I am about on Wrote By Rote.
DeleteLee
I love this theme! I've read some great memoirs and am now writing my own! Looking forward to reading your posts!
ReplyDeleteMorgan
Good luck with your memoir! I do accept guest posts just in case you are ever interested.
DeleteLee
Cool! Memoirs are not my home turf, and I don't know a lot about the genre. I am looking forward to finding out more!
ReplyDelete@TarkabarkaHolgy from
Multicolored Diary - Epics from A to Z
MopDog - The crazy thing about Hungarians...
Every time you tell someone else about something that happened to you then you are engaged in the telling of a memoir story. If a story is worth telling someone else then it might be worth writing down and elaborating on.
DeleteLee
Lee, I'll be looking forward to reading these points on writing ones' memoirs. You hit the nail on the head, I think NO ONE would find my life interesting enough to read and now I struggle to remember things. I wish I kept a journal, but failed to do it even though I kept saying I'll start that tomorrow. Guess what? Tomorrow got pushed off and now I struggle with those memories. The hope with my weekly Flashback Friday posts I can document all of my recollections as they come to me in a way that others can appreciate and for my children to cherish someday. I think you're awesome for throwing this big yearly sh-bang! I bet you're a very organized person. Am I right? Here's looking forward to the blogging challenge ahead. Oh yeah, thanks for the tweet out! PS: Colonoscopy done. Doc said everything looks good. Just have to wait for the routine biopsy and I know it will be okay,too. :D Have a montasticday!
ReplyDeleteI also got a good report today on my colonoscopy results. And I'm am moderately organized in certain ways and horrendously unorganized in others.
DeleteLee
I think lots of us think about writing memoirs but don't know where to start. This should be interesting.
ReplyDeleteStart with "once upon a time" and then take it from there.
DeleteLee
Oooh, I am looking forward to reading these! What an interesting topic, lots of odd thoughts that go with the idea of writing a memoir, I think. And thanks again for creating A to Z. C'est fantastique, and so are you, Arlee!
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet. Thank you.
DeleteLee
I just got back into daily journalling since last year, after an embarrassing five years away, with only some intermittent journalling during that long dry spell. I have no excuse for it, other than losing track of things which were really important to me during my co-dependent relationship with my ex-"fiancé." I still entertain thoughts of someday publishing all my journals, carefully edited so there's nothing too personal revealed to the public. It would probably be an interesting study of what it was like to grow up and be a teenager and university student as an undiagnosed Aspie.
ReplyDeleteDon't lose those journals! I wish I had kept journals in my life.
DeleteLee
Ooh Lee that's a cool topic. I did a '100 memories' memoir'ish thing for National Novel Writing Month is 2013, but it was mostly for my own benefit. As a teen I journaled obsessively but not so much as an adult. Perhaps I should get back into that...
ReplyDelete~AJ @ ajlauer.net
An A-Z co-Host
Maybe you need to write a memoir.
DeleteLee
This is a great topic! Bookmarked!
ReplyDeleteThis might be my best of the four A to Z topics
DeleteLee
I'm definitely looking forward to reading your memoir posts! I always have so many questions about memoir writing since I'm embarking on the journey and I know you'll have tons of great tips and thought-provoking ideas. Great theme Lee!
ReplyDeleteMichele at Angels Bark
I'll get pretty much into basics in this series.
DeleteLee
Definitely admire you for doing 3 blogs in the challenge! I do have a fascinating story about God's provision and protection that I have often thought would be a good memoir. Just need to decide to put it down on paper.
ReplyDeleteGood theme !
betty
You should start writing it! At least make some notes.
DeleteLee
I always have trouble looking at my life and seeing what others might be interested. I actually hate the games where you're supposed to tell a random fact about yourself or two truths and a lie. I have plenty that's of interest to me, but I don't know what other people will be interested in. Great theme!
ReplyDeletePeople are nosy. We want to know everything.
DeleteLee
Sounds exciting! I have always wanted to write a memoir, but never know quite where to begin (as a baby? a pivotal moment? 'in the moment'?) Shall be reading with interest (in between joining in the Challenge!)
ReplyDeleteRos at GenWestUK
Start at an interesting place. Remember the memoir is not the complete life story, but some interesting part of a life or some part of life made interesting.
DeleteLee
This sounds interesting. I've never considered writing a memoir, but I'm always interested in how formats I'm not familiar with work. :)
ReplyDeleteSophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles
FB3X
Wittegen Press
A lot of what I'll discuss won't just apply to writing memoir.
DeleteLee
I figure my life is pretty boring by comparison to most people's so I write fiction! It'll be interesting to read about the elements that make up a good memoir.
ReplyDeleteYour life is undoubtedly more interesting than you might think it is. Besides, you're a writer and you can make it seem interesting.
DeleteLee
This sounds interesting to me. Memoir writing is something I really know nothing about.
ReplyDeleteYou know more than you think.
DeleteLee
I have a friend who is thinking about writing a memoir, I'll have to share your blog with her so she can make sure to follow you next month!
ReplyDeletePlease do! Hopefully I'll be offering a few tidbits to spark creative thought.
DeleteLee
I have some life events that may be worth telling, but many may not believe me haha
ReplyDeleteTruth is stranger than fiction as is often said.
DeleteLee
Lee, I'll try to sign up to help with the memoir writing as I am in the process of finishing my memoir about attending college as a mother of five. Thanks for visiting my Adventures in Writing. It is greatly appreciated. http://victoriamarielees.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteLee, I'm not sure I have time to post EVERY DAY in April because of family and work obligations. I post on MY blog and list it on YOUR A-Z category sheet. Is that correct? I need to see if I have time for this commitment. I do appreciate the invite, though.
DeleteThe point is to post everyday. Each post need not be of any epic proportions or great depth. Just 100 words or so each day can work just fine. For example on this blog I'll be taking just one aspect about memoir each day and making some very brief comments about it. The posts can be as long or short as you wish and for April short is preferred. This is a test of your writing skill in the context of blogging.
DeleteThen, yes, you add your general blog URL to the A to Z Linky list and try to do at least a minimal amount of networking. Hope you are able to squeeze it all into your schedule. The Challenge is actually easier than it may sound.
Lee
A very interesting theme to me
ReplyDeletelooking forward for your posts
Dear Lee, I so look forward to learning from your A-Z theme on the elements of memoir. I've been working--some sporadically--on a covent memoir. I have the first draft completed and I've put it aside for a few months. I"m sure your suggestions will help me when I begin to work on a second draft. Thank you for choosing this topic. Peace.
ReplyDelete