I once heard one of my favorite authors, Sue Monk Kidd, say there’s a method and a madness to writing. And now, I can say that’s absolutely true. Sure, I’m speaking from hindsight, but looking back I can see how many times my instincts were correct. All those scenes and flashes of memory you’re having? Write them down. Save them in separate documents but keep them in one place.
So, yes, I’m telling you that you’re not crazy. Or even if you are (aren’t we all, a little bit?) you can trust the madness, because it’s taking you somewhere important.
When you’re ready to learn more about the method, I highly recommend these resources:
Writing Coach:
Christy Heady meets you where you are, offering coaching sessions, retreats and workshops.
Books:
Your Life as Story: Discovering the "New Autobiography" and Writing Memoir as Literature by Tristine Rainer
Shimmering Images: A Handy Little Guide to Writing Memoir by Lisa Dale Norton
Writing & Selling Your Memoir by Paula Balzer
Articles:
The Key Elements of Writing a Good Memoir by Adair Lara for Writer’s Digest
Don’t Gloss Over the Hard to Write Parts by Laurie Rosen for Writer’s Digest
Websites: (these sites are gold mines for all book writers)
How to Plan, Write and Develop a Book by author Mary Carroll Moore, specifically this post on using the W structure to create stronger conflict
Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner‘s blog is a well archived site with (I’m not kidding) everything you need to know about writing books and getting published.
