In writing my memoir I found it super hard to stay in scene when the scene was uncomfortable for me. Over and over I would leave the scene and "tell" about it. Great visual in imagining myself as being the videographer.
Brooke, this is such an excellent guide to use when you're rewriting, and you can look for the lines that should be deleted! I wish I'd had this note from you when I was editing my memoir! thank you!
I drafted four pages of a reflective personal essay this morning. Now I need to go back and check how much I move about in time (change lanes—great metaphor!). Did I make those moves intentionally???
I’m very defiant ! Insist I need not take advice about most anything. Including how to give birth or raise a child 🤣No. I do not consider myself arrogant. I have read Bird by Bird and one or two how to write books. My short stories are non fiction . Memories or memoir or ? I’ll take all of your suggestions to mind and hand . Thank you .
Totally agree! I tend to call it editorializing, but it’s authorial intrusion by any name, and nothing can break a literary “spell” faster. Also, thanks for alerting me to Mary Kate’s book on writing memoir. Looking forward to your next post!
In writing my memoir I found it super hard to stay in scene when the scene was uncomfortable for me. Over and over I would leave the scene and "tell" about it. Great visual in imagining myself as being the videographer.
It's undoubtedly hard!
The Carville Wallace example in particular for me, demonstrated the boundaries
Thank you for these specific examples. I see where I need to revise several scenes in my upcoming memoir. Much appreciated. Now I'll read Part II.
So helpful, Brooke. I wish someone had explained it this way when I first started writing memoir.
This was so incredibly helpful. Thank you.
Thank you, Brooke. This is beyond helpful!
Thanks for the tips, these are helpful.
“Like an uncomfortable drive down an eight-lane freeway with the driver refusing to pick a lane.” Very helpful analogy!
Useful advice to remember when I start my memoir. Thank you.
Brooke, this is such an excellent guide to use when you're rewriting, and you can look for the lines that should be deleted! I wish I'd had this note from you when I was editing my memoir! thank you!
❤️
So helpful. Thank you!
Wow. Now I have to go back to my memoir and see where I messed up! This is great info, thank you.
I drafted four pages of a reflective personal essay this morning. Now I need to go back and check how much I move about in time (change lanes—great metaphor!). Did I make those moves intentionally???
Brook.
I’m very defiant ! Insist I need not take advice about most anything. Including how to give birth or raise a child 🤣No. I do not consider myself arrogant. I have read Bird by Bird and one or two how to write books. My short stories are non fiction . Memories or memoir or ? I’ll take all of your suggestions to mind and hand . Thank you .
Good to know thyself. 🤣 And thank you!
Great explanation of writing in scene.
Totally agree! I tend to call it editorializing, but it’s authorial intrusion by any name, and nothing can break a literary “spell” faster. Also, thanks for alerting me to Mary Kate’s book on writing memoir. Looking forward to your next post!
Thanks, Cheryl!