Writer + Whole Person Coach helping writers of memoir, narrative nonfiction, and select fiction confidently tell the true stories inside them. | Host, facilitator, teacher: Memoir Writers' Book Club | Newsletter: "Write Your Way"
[WYW] Start 2024 strong and (finally) write that book this year with these resources + memoir book club pick
Is 2024 the year you write your book?New year, same goal? Let's make 2024 the last year you start without a solid draft of your memoir, or still stuck on the next steps with the draft you have. The last year you spend agonizing over when and how you'll get it written. The last year you wonder if you're even doing it right. Let this be year you make it happen, whatever it takes. So what does it take? You already know the basics: effort, discipline, patience. But, lots of writers have those covered, and they *want* to write or improve their book, yet they never do. That's because sometimes it takes more than those basics. It takes whatever you need to start and stick with it β through rough patches, vulnerable moments, everything life throws at you, and that damn cursor taunting you on the blank page. π€¬ I'm here to have your back, to help you figure out conundrums and work through problems, so you can show up clear, confident, and committed to your writing. Take the first step and schedule a free 20-minute Discovery Call so we can discuss. Two Resources for You:Cozy up with these incredible writing craft books The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr is an essential memoir writing primer from one of the genre's contemporary masters. Karr's book blends her own experiences writing 3 incredible bestselling memoirs, with her work as a writing professor, and her close reading and analysis of great memoirs, to create a rich and valuable guide to help you write an audience-winning (and maybe award-winning) memoir of your own. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (yes, that Stephen King). King's book is a no-nonsense indispensable hybrid that's half memoir charting how he became the writer he is β from his childhood stories to his early pulp stories to his astronomical success β and half what he's learned about writing along the way. Probably my favorite thing about On Writing, though, is walking away feeling like King is a trusted friend who's just let me in on all best tidbits of his life's work. That level of connection is #memoirgoals, as the youths say. By the way, I also recommend following both Karr and King on your favorite social media platform, if you're a fan of social media. |
βCornelia Dolian - Writing Coach
Writer + Whole Person Coach helping writers of memoir, narrative nonfiction, and select fiction confidently tell the true stories inside them. | Host, facilitator, teacher: Memoir Writers' Book Club | Newsletter: "Write Your Way"
Write Your Way Real talk + resources for writers "I don't have time to read β much less do the exercises in β every writing craft book out there." Heard this refrain from many writers, and sang it more than a few times myself. Look, you don't always need craft books and exercises, but they can help. Reading and doing a good writing craft book expands your toolbox, moves you toward more confident writing, and gives you ways to surmount certain struggles. The right craft book at the right time...
Write Your Way Real talk + resources for writers Happy Spring! πΌ Let's jump right into the final installment in this critique tip trilogy without much ado. Tip #3: Be clear, specific, but open-minded with what you are looking for when asking for feedback. Giving someone a piece of writing β a memoir excerpt, personal essay, chapter of your novel β and just saying βtell me what you thinkβ is NOT the way to get valuable feedback from critique partners or a writers' group. To really maximize...
Write Your Way Real talk + resources for writers Saving Daylight in the Dark Night of the Writer Soul Last week, I shared probably my biggest tip for getting worthwhile writing critique: Find the right people. This week, it's all about you. Quality feedback is only as helpful as you allow it to be. It's only useful if you let yourself take it on, consider it, and then decide how to proceed. You can get have the top writers, readers, agents, editors, and other pros in your genres giving you...