Memoir Writing Challenge
100 pts
It's your turn to try your hand at memoir writing. Remember, you're NOT telling your whole life story; you're only focusing on a specific series of events because they stick with you for some reason, and there's something that can be taken from those experiences. Choose ONE of the options below. Read the goals of the option and follow the process steps to make your memoir happen. Be sure to look through the entire column; your 100 pts are earned throughout. Enjoy!
A Memoir Tale
This choice lets you come up with any story from your life on which you would like to focus. Perhaps the story was triggered by the "Girl" short story, the "Neighborhood Map" exercise, or the "Trigger Words" exericse. Regardless, the topic is chosen by you. GOALS and SCORING: 1. Write a true tale that focuses on a brief period of time or series of related events, NOT a whole life story. (10 pts) 2. Write in a style portrayed in the structure of A Bronx Tale: thorough development of setting, a narrator with an interesting persona, and any other necessary characters. (20 pts) 3. Also matching the style of the film, include plot development, imagery, conflict, and anyspecial features like foreshadowing, flashback, irony or symbolism. (20 pts) 3. The writing must include a touch of contemplation. What is the meaning of these events in retrospect? (10 pts) 4. The tale will include a higher emotional level: humorous, serious, or a combination. (10 pts) 5. The writing will be a minimum of 4-5 pages, double spaced, with regular margins. More pages are allowed. The final draft should also include a title. (10 pts) PROCESS POINTERS: (A) Begin by brainstorming on paper all the events you can remember from your life that were either very important to you in a positive way, or very important to you in a negative way. (10 pts) (B) Talk to other members of your family to get ideas, help you remember events from when you were small, and to help fill in the details that might have been forgotten. (C) Select the event, or series of related events, that seems most interesting to you right now. Brainstorm again but in more detail, trying to recall names, places, descriptions, voices, conversations, things, and all the other details that will make this turn into an interesting memoir. (10 pts) (D) Work at this notetaking stage for a few days, until you feel you've got it all down on paper. Then begin to write. You will be surprised to see that even more details begin to appear once you start to write. For your first draft, write quickly to get all your ideas down from beginning to end. Don't worry about editing. (E) Before you revise, share your first draft with someone in the family. Consider their response, but go with what feels right. Rewrite, and then start editing as needed. |
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FINAL THOUGHTS
Good memoirs are about everyday things, but they are interesting, sometimes just as interesting to read as a good novel. But remember, a memoir is supposed to be true, so be careful not to exaggerate or embellish the truth.
Image Credits
Cartoon fruit http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/tzu/lowres/tzun1104l.jpg
Thumbprint http://thespigot.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/thumbprint.jpg
File folders istockphotos.com
Neighborhood street painting http://www.drippingcolors.com/images/the_old_neighborhood.jpg
Cartoon fruit http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/tzu/lowres/tzun1104l.jpg
Thumbprint http://thespigot.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/thumbprint.jpg
File folders istockphotos.com
Neighborhood street painting http://www.drippingcolors.com/images/the_old_neighborhood.jpg