Archive for the ‘Nonfiction Writing’ Category

Get Started on Your Memoir - Today

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

I’m one of those people who believes everyone should write a memoir. Every life matters. Your experiences, the good and the bad, shape who you are. Our lives can, and should benefit others. How do you formulate and share your life story? Whether your goal is a book to share at the family reunion or market to publishers, here are some beginning steps to guide you through the process.

 

First, keep a journal. Record the day, store memories, work through stuff, vent, express feelings, reflections, thoughts and opinions. If you already keep a journal, read through previous entries. See how you’ve changed over time.

 

Second, set goals for writing. Write something every day whether it’s a journal entry, a chapter or even a memory that comes to mind. Develop a reasonable writing schedule and follow it. Decide when you want to complete your memoir and work towards reaching that goal. Consider this, if you write one page a day beginning on August 1, you’ll have a 153 page memoir by the end of the year.

 

Third, write a timeline for your memoir. Are you going to cover your entire life, your teens or just this past year? Divide into increments (years or months). Add significant events to your timeline: when you fell in/out of love, trauma and crisis, births/deaths, significant events, profound experiences, etc.

 

Fourth, research the past and memories. Find the facts through property records, court records, library archives, internet searches, newspapers, etc. Also research your family history through photos, journals, letters, scrapbooks, interviews.

 

I hope these four steps help you start your memoir. I find the biggest challenge is not beginning, but completing the memoir. For most people a lack of motivation prevents them from following through. If you find this is your blockage, e-mail me. I’ll be happy to encourage you through the process.

 

You might also consider hiring a writing coach. Here are some questions I ask my new memoir coaching clients. Why do you want to write a memoir? How much time can you devote to writing and marketing? What is your writing experience? What obstacles do you expect and how can I help you to overcome them? How will you reward yourself for achieving your goals? Answering these simple questions and following these four steps will help you write your life story.

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

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Prompts for writers http://dioncommunications.com/writewords/?cat=146

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Posted in Articles, Memoirs, Nonfiction Writing, Setting goals for writing success | No Comments »

Is self publishing the best option for your book?

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

 

One question I’m asked more than anything else is, should I self-publish my book or try to find a traditional publisher? My answer is always the same, it depends on what you want. You have to decide why you wrote your book, who you want to read it, when you want them to read it, how much control you want with it, how much money you want to make, etc.

 

That’s a lot to think about, I know, but until you know those answers you won’t know which publishing option is best for you. To help with your decision, I’ve attached a PDF file that compares traditional publishing and self publishing. It lists exactly what each type of publishing is, the pros, cons and the money breakdown. This page is directly from my book Write, Publish, Market and Sell Your Nonfiction Book.

 

You should know that however your book is published, your sales will be a direct result of your marketing attempts. For nonfiction that means establishing yourself as an expert in your book’s field, being willing to speak and teach about your subject, and getting comfortable with the news media.

 

Is this is the year you’ll finish your book? If so, consider purchasing the audio CDs and workbook for Write, Publish, Market and Sell Your Nonfiction Book. For just $24.99, you get everything you need to succeed at your own pace. It has query letter templates, a worksheet for identifying your target audience, a marketing checklist, ideas for how to organize your book chapters and more.

 

Also, I have a couple of coaching slots left for spring 2010. If you want someone to walk with you one-on-one through the process of writing, editing, publishing and selling your book, contact me for a free consultation. Remember, I only work with nonfiction authors.

 

Happy writing,

 

Angela Dion

Dion Communications, LLC

The right words at the right time.

PO Box 21, White Plains, MD 20695-0021

301-645-9427

angela@dioncommunications.com

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Posted in Articles, Book Writing, Get Published, Nonfiction Writing, Writing Resources | 2 Comments »

Write about Your Firsts

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

Are you staring at your journal wondering where to journey today? Or perhaps you just need help to jog into memoir writing? Pick one of these prompts and write for 10-15 minutes. Try to do one each day for the next two weeks. Ready, Set, Write.

 

  1. My first experience with a birth in the family
  2. My first experience with a death in the family
  3. My first day in school
  4. My first experience being alone without my parents
  5. My first experience riding on a train, plane or bus
  6. My first adventure
  7. My first time being really afraid
  8. My first success in school
  9. My first time being in love
  10. My first time getting into trouble
  11. My first best friend
  12. My first boss
  13. My first teacher
  14. My first broken bone, injury, hospitalization

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Posted in Articles, Memoirs, Nonfiction Writing | 1 Comment »

On Writing Well

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

 

William Zinsser’s On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction has been on my bookshelf for over ten years. The fact that my 18-year-old asked to borrow it for high school is confirmation of the timelessness of the work. Moreover, any book that is still in print after 30 years must have some value.

If you are a nonfiction writer, know that this book lives up to the subtitle: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction. In just over 300 pages you will learn basic principals and methods for writing nonfiction. But Zinsser also explores various forms of writing to include: travel articles, interviewing, business writing, humor writing and even sports writing.

One million writers over the course of thirty years can’t be wrong.

Click on the book cover and read the first pages.

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Posted in Get Published, Nonfiction Writing, Writing Resources | 1 Comment »