Book Description
Publication Date: May 1, 2008
Written in an accessible and conversational style, this handbook is an essential guide for anyone who wants to write the story of their life. The valuable insight into the memoir-writing process provides both inspiration and practical advice for both new and experienced writers. Describing the process from start to finish—from finding a topic, developing a narrative voice, and establishing structure, to finding a balance between factual truth and vivid storytelling and getting published—this resource helps express and shape personal stories.
Customer Review
By Shirley H. Showalter "memoir blogger" (Kalamazoo, MI United States)
Nothing hones and deepens one's knowledge of a subject like years spent teaching it in the classroom--answering questions and seeing multiple perspectives through the eyes of students. Patty Miller uses her twenty years of teaching experience to show the reader how broad the field is--she includes personal essay and travel writing as memoir and explains the distinctions among terms like "memoir" and "memoirs." Each chapter includes some exercises useful to both students and teachers. Highly recommended as an introductory overview and helpful guide. See my blog post for more about definitions of the basic vocabulary of the field, borrowing heavily from Miller: http://www.100memoirs.com/2008/09/definitions-memoir-memoirs-autobiographyand-more/
