Your Story Matters
Where Should Your Memoir Start?
Practically every memoir writer I've worked with has struggled with where to start their story.
In other words, what goes on Page One?
For example: Let’s say you're a member of the LGBTQ+ community...
No time to write? Try these 3 time-saving hacks.
Writers spend a lot of time thinking about writing and talking about writing, and in some cases, not doing much writing.
The secret to writing and getting your book written is "just do[ing] it.”
Her...
New Year’s Resolutions vs. Actionable Writing Goals
It’s that time of year again when we’re thinking about the new year and ALL THE THINGS we want to do differently.
Exercise every day!
No junk food!
No more trashy TV! Really!
Read more!
Write more!
In m...
Is your story special enough to write?
As the publication date for The Only Way Through Is Out approached, excitement—and fear—bubbled up inside me:
Would anyone want to read another coming-out-later-in-life story?
Maybe this was just no...
How to Anchor Your Reader in Time and Place
As I proofread my memoir The Only Way Through Is Out one last time, I smiled as I noticed (and double-checked) all the time and place "anchors" my book coach had encouraged me to include.
Like this a...
Why Preparing a TED Talk Makes You a Better Memoirist (Even If You Never Intend to Get on Stage)
A couple of months ago I did something that left me feeling somewhere between a wet noodle and a very burnt piece of toast.
Picture a TED talk, with a Zoom room as the stage, and a memoir writer in a...
LGBTQ+ Memoirs Every Memoir Writer Should Read
What are mentor texts?
Mentor texts are a great tool for writers. Simply put, mentor texts are books writers can study as models to develop good writing skills and craft.
Here's the good news, write...
Queer Writers: Our Words Matter
My gut told me something was off.
As I reviewed the copy edit of my memoir manuscript—my final chance to make any substantive changes to THE ONLY WAY THROUGH IS OUT—something bothered me about one se...
How to Choose a Title for Your Memoir
An email from my editor showed up in my inbox last week.
Subject line: "Title Talk."
The marketing team had concerns about the title of my coming out later in life memoir. They were worried that a b...
What This Memoir Author Wants You to Know: Part 2
My client, Chris Chandler, is about to become a published author!
Her memoir Stay Sweet: Tales of Quirky Southern Love, will be published on May 12th, 2023 by Red Thread Publishing.
