For January, I asked the following set of questions:

• What do you think is the lure of memoirs for readers?
• Do you think there is a bit of egotism on the part of the writer who focuses on memoirs as a means to “tell stories”?
• Why did you, as writer, feel compelled to write your story
• Why did you feel compelled to share this story with others?

In answering the question, Why did you feel compelled to share this story with others, Waxler states, “This is a huge question. Why does any writer want readers? Stephen King says in his memoir, “On Writing” that writing is a sort of magic that transmits ideas from one person’s mind into another. I love this idea. By writing, I can share my thoughts, initiating an intimate connection with people I can’t even see. That begs the question, “Why should I want to do that?” I’m not sure exactly of the reason, but I am sure of the result. Extending my writing to a public audience has turned into the most exciting project in my life. In exchange for the hours I sit at my desk putting words on paper, I am instantly rewarded by the pleasure of creativity. Over time, my world has become richer, thanks to a network of readers and writers. And part of my payoff is the fantastic notion that somehow, through my writing, I will be able to serve people.”

To read the rest of Jerry Waxler’s thoughts on memoirs and to read excellent excerpts from Learn to Write Your Memoir in Four Days and Four Elements for Writers: How to Get Beyond “Yes-But,” Conquer Self-Doubt and Inertia, and Achieve Your Writing Goals, head to All the Blog’s a Page!

While there, check out the other stellar feature authors for this month: Annette Fix, K.L. Belvin, Versandra Kennebrew, and CD Mitchell!

ALL THE BLOG’S A PAGE (AtBaP) – Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

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For January, I asked the following set of questions:

• What do you think is the lure of memoirs for readers?
• Do you think there is a bit of egotism on the part of the writer who focuses on memoirs as a means to “tell stories”?
• Why did you, as writer, feel compelled to write your story
• Why did you feel compelled to share this story with others?

In answering the question, What do you think is the lure of memoirs for readers, Fix begins her response by stating, Personally, I love memoir. I find it so much more fascinating to know the characters are real and the events in the story actually occurred. I still read fiction, but in the back of my mind, I know the author is placing herself in the world of the characters and trying to imagine what she would do if she were confronted with the internal and external forces driving their actions. I don’t believe anyone really knows what they’ll do until they’re actually in any given situation.

To read the rest of Annette Fix’s thoughts on memoirs and to read an article written by Fix on memoir writing, head to All the Blog’s a Page!

You can read the thoughts of others who have written memoirs – CD Mitchell, Versandra Kennebrew, and K.L. Belvin!

ALL THE BLOG’S A PAGE (AtBaP) – Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

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For January, I asked the following set of questions:

• What do you think is the lure of memoirs for readers?
• Do you think there is a bit of egotism on the part of the writer who focuses on memoirs as a means to “tell stories”?
• Why did you, as writer, feel compelled to write your story
• Why did you feel compelled to share this story with others?

In  answering the question, Do you think there is a bit of egotism on the part of the writer who focuses on memoirs as a mean to “tell stories”, Belvin stated, “I wouldn’t call it egotism on the author’s part. There are times you want to use your life to simply tell a story so those that reader can get a clear picture of what you’re trying to offer the world. In some manner I believe it’s more therapeutic than egotistical. I don’t feel authors jump up and down and say see me, look over here, my story has to be shared or the world won’t keep spinning. I can’t see it being the motivation. In my book even with the use of poetry, I want my story to be taken in and understood. Not for ego sake but with an idea of helping others to learn from my own mistakes and triumphs. Ego can be held under the microscope with a memoir; however, I don’t see it being the force behind the motivation to write.”

To read the rest of K.L. Belvin’s thoughts on memoirs and to read an excerpt from his book, head to All the Blog’s a Page!

You can also check out authors CD Mitchell’s and Versandra Kennebrew’s takes on memoir writing, too!

ALL THE BLOG’S A PAGE (AtBaP) – Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

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For the month of JANUARY, All the Blog’s a Page (AtBaP) is looking at memoir writing, and we kick off the new year with one of my dear friends and my second “husband” (there’s a story there, trust me), author CD Mitchell!

CD is the Blues Brothers holding the beer bottle.

For January, I asked the following set of questions:

• What do you think is the lure of memoirs for readers?
• Do you think there is a bit of egotism on the part of the writer who focuses on memoirs as a means to “tell stories”?
• Why did you, as writer, feel compelled to write your story
• Why did you feel compelled to share this story with others?

CD wrote a piece titled “The Lure of Memoir,” from which he writes, “Memoir is not the genre of self-promotion. In memoir, we do not take a podium and say “I did this! I am great!” We instead take the podium and say, “This happened to me. Please forgive my ignorance. I have learned from the experience and am a better person as a result. Forgive me for what I was before; learn from what I am now.”

“Memoir does not attempt to exalt the writer or to elevate the writer to some lofty, unattainable status over his reader. Instead, we seek to find common ground with our misery and mistakes. Instead of creating envy in our readers, we seek to establish a universal moment where the reader can see himself in the author’s words and can say “I understand how you feel.” The memoirist seeks to create empathy, common ground, and a realization that we all can do better.

“Perhaps the memoirist’s code should be the scripture that “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”"

To read the rest of CD Mitchell’s “The Lure of Memoir” and to take a sneak peek into his column “Why Do I Write,” head to All the Blog’s a Page!

ALL THE BLOG’S A PAGE (AtBaP) – Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

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Well, it’s the 17th of the month, and that means my latest Blogging in Black column is LIVE!

This month, I’m talking about memoir writing.

I’ve met so many people who not only feel that their life story is important to write, but it’s also important to publish for others to read.

This got me thinking about memoirs, about the difference between memoirs and autobiography, and about some of the problems that might occur when a novice starts out trying to write his/her innermost feelings.

Come check out my article – The Story of Me: Tips on Memoir Writing – and leave comments!!

Blogging in Black – (LINK)

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