A couple of members today asked about some resources for memoir writing and blogging, so here goes:
Good Memoir Books:
The Art of Time in Memoir: Then, Again by Sven Birkerts. If you think a memoir must be written in chronological fashion, think again. This book delves into just how memoir writers can juggle events in time — which often results in more drama and a much better memoir.
Fearless Confessions: A Writer’s Guide to Memoir by Sue Silverman. One of the best overall books on the subject. Sue demystifies memoir writing with her down-to-earth and knowledgable approach. Great exercises at the end of each chapter, many that helped me work through issues in my own writing, and she even includes pieces throughout the book, plus a terrific reading list at the end. A must have for anyone in the genre.
I’ve also heard good things about Zinsser’s Writing About Your Life, but haven’t read it yet. I am a huge fan of his On Writing Well, an indispensable guide for any nonfiction writer.
UPDATE: Also don’t forget a copy of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers – no matter what genre you write, this book will teach you how to strengthen your own writing and stay away from mistakes that will mark your manuscript as “amateur.” Keep in mind, too, that memoir draws on the same techniques as fiction, and this will offer insight into using those fiction techniques to your advantage.
On Blogging:
There are a lot of free resources out there on the Internet — I could spend hours listing them (do a search on “how to start blogging”). But if you truly struggle with the subject or feel lost, they may not provide much help. So do yourself a favor and get your hands on one of these books.
Blogging for Dummies. This is the 2012 version, and by the looks of the Amazon reviews, should be a fantastic guide on the subject.
Blogging Like a Pro. Also looks like a great resource based on the reviews.
UPDATE: Cheryl Lyda mentioned you can see how she moved her book into a blog form at: http://walkingpocatello.blogspot.com,
