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What're your words of writing wisdom?



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I begin teaching a memoir course in January. What would the experienced memoirists of Smith want writers new to the genre to know?

by lillybrook in Six Words Questions on Dec 19, 2012 | add favorite | T-shirt

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Dean6805 says,

Don't try to make crap up. Use what you have, but seek new ways to say the same old thing. Don't worry about what you say being completely original, because nothing really is. Just make sure you put yourself into it; that's what makes a memoir truly good and readable.

canadafreeze says,

Honesty. Write about what you know ... I agree with what Dean said. Truth. Authentic. Call it what you will -

MsKillie says,

I agree- always be honest in your memoirs!

marymc says,

Learn the fine art of self-editing.

lillybrook says,

I tell them to be researchers. Remember and write your perception, but also talk to people and ask them (unless it's the kind of memory you can't) what their experience was. Go back to the place and learn about its history, if that's relevant. Memory is unreliable and it can be tremendously biased.

BanjoDan says,

Write every day, write every day!

lillybrook says,

So difficult to do, and so TRUE, BanjoDan! I often need this reminder, too. Writing is so important, and yet at times it falls to the back of the list. Thanks.

lillybrook says,

*not back, bottom.

HopeInPain says,

Enjoy it. I'm not expert but I know that I do my best writing when I want to write and allow myself to have some fun in the process. If you don't enjoy writing it, no one's going to enjoy reading it.

HopeInPain says,

Rather "not an expert" not "not expert".

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