I am a non-fiction writer...have tried fiction but find it too tedious for me and it just takes too long....all that character development and dialogue writing. I find writing topical articles and essays so much easier.
Almost a year ago, I gave myself a challenge by deciding to write a memoir about the 16 years I have been an owner/innkeeper of a bed and breakfast in Louisville, Kentucky. As it turned out, writing a memoir is much more of a challenge than I realized and just as tedious and time consuming as writing fiction.
I am in the process now of re-writing the whole manuscript and trying to infuse the pages with my own unique voice. I've actually discovered the humor and sarcasm lying behind that perfect grammar. In addition, I'm adding dialogue, some character development, and a lot more description....all fiction writing techniques.
Thanks you all for visiting my site. I look forward to seeing more of you soon.
if you enjoyed this post, feel free to leave a comment
Hi Nancy, Thanks so much for your kind comment on my blog. Best wishes on your memoir! Love the Jack London quote in your sidebar. :) Karen
ReplyDeleteThanks, Scout, for the nice comment. Glad you likes the quote.
ReplyDeleteGoodd luck with the re-write Nancy.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Rebecca. I can use all the luck I can get.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with the re-write :) Have a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteSamantha, Thanks for wishing me luck on the rewrites. They're actually going pretty well...so far, at least.
ReplyDeleteI, too, am a writer of non-fiction - mostly essays. I even began a non-fiction novel a few months back and haven't made much progress for the very reason(s) you mention here.
ReplyDeleteI once read an interview with Truman Capote after In Cold Blood was a best seller for many weeks. He said that there was as much, if not more, work involved with non-fiction, because the reader is expecting factual accuracy. (sigh)
My heart goes out to you, Nancy. Way to take it on :~)
Kathy, thanks so much for your supportive comment. So what are you writing now in the way of large works? Have you thought about memoir?
ReplyDeleteSo far, the rewrite is going well. I have two Beta readers who are really helpful. As long as I can keep a regular schedule and get something done every, I feel good about it. I think I finally caught on to how to unleash my own unique "voice" onto the pages.
Hello Nancy, thanks for following my blog. I see on your notes that The Shawshank Redemption is one of your favourite films - mine too.If you are writing a memoir about your Inn I wonder if you have heard of the book Crestmont by Holly Weiss. She has written a historical memoir about that hotel that reas like a novel. It might be worth a look if you are borrowing techniques from fiction. Best of luck with your re-writes.
ReplyDeleteDeborah, Thank you so much for commenting and giving mem a heads up about Crestmont. I will definitely take a look at it.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy. Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. 16 years as an owner of a B&B made me want to know more. I am following you!
ReplyDeleteMuMuGB, So nice of you to stop by, comment, and follow me...very much appreciated. Yes, 16 years. And 30 years a teacher before that. So I've got lots to write about.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by my blog Nancy! I'm following now. ^_^!
ReplyDeleteKatherine, Thanks you for the comment and the follow.
ReplyDeleteI write both fiction and non-fiction, but good heavens, I would never try memoir! I think it must be one of the hardest of all to write...how to speak in your unique voice when you're speaking in your memory voice...bless your heart and good luck!
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly how I feel about fiction...I guess it's all in what you feel comfortable with.
ReplyDeletevery interesting post!
ReplyDelete@gode, Glad you found the post interesting. Thanks for commenting
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your project:)
ReplyDeleteToyin, Thanks so much. I can use all the luck I can get.
ReplyDeleteNancy thanks for taking the time to share your experiences and memories.I hope things go well with your re-write!
ReplyDelete@Wayne: Thanks for the well wishes. Actually things are going pretty well. I'm on my third re-write, Chapter 7 and will soon be ready for a good editior to get ahold of the entire ms. I need to start wroking on my query letter again, etc.
ReplyDeletethis is a great blog to visit on my bloggers' ball round - so much sober, solid advice. Thankyou for sharing your wisdom!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kate...so glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDelete