Why Hometown Context Matters to Your Stories
When we write about family members, ancestors, or ourselves, it’s important to give readers a glimpse of that hometown context. It helps explain worldview, values, and traditions. It helps them understand the personalities involved in our stories. Your hometown comes...
9 Ways to Get Back On Track
Procrastination and distraction are two of my best talents. In fact, I’ve been exercising them quite a bit lately! Which makes it seem like a great time to write about how to get back on track. Re-examine your motives, not just your goals. Once you’ve let your...
Laugh at Yourself — Everyone Else Does
That misquote from B.J. Neblett didn’t go over so well with my mom when my Dad said it to her in the mid-sixties. Mom had a great sense of humor, but she didn’t like being teased. I often wonder if it’s because my uncle Joe teased her so much when they were young. Or...
Memories of Your First Home: Placing the Emotional Furniture
As you write about memories of your first home (or any other place), include some emotional furniture. If you’re like me and don’t have any (or very few) memories of your first home, don’t page away. There are many ways to adopt this prompt to use it...
Connotative Words: Are You as Neutral as You Think?
By choosing connotative words, we sometimes communicate things we don’t mean to say. Are you as neutral as you think? Read on. Intentional or not, word choices can convey value judgments or carry an emotional connotation. When we call a personal “angry” versus “upset”...
Don't Wait.
Put the episodes of the past to paper.
We all have stories to share with our children and grandchildren. Whether it’s a proud moment, memories of grandparents, or a lesson you’ve learned, Memories of Me: A Complete Guide to Telling and Sharing the Stories of Your Life helps you put the episodes of your past onto paper and share them with loved ones.
