To Memoir Or Not To Memoir April 27, 2010

I have to give memoir writers, who pour out their heart and soul for all the world to see, a tip of the hat.

I have considered memoir…for those of you who know me well, it goes without saying that you get why it was a consideration. For those of you who don’t know me, or who only know the me I let you see – well, lets just say I have a story or twelve to tell.

But when I sat down last year to pen my memoir, I became rattled, then baffled.
First – is a memoir the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? If so, do I really want my “people” to have all that dirt know my everything?
My parents? Good God, I put them through enough already.
My kids? They think I’m superwoman, and I don’t want to ruin that for them (or me).
My in-laws? They are convinced their son married the perfect girl (well, let’s just face it – he did really).
Do I want to lay it all out there, like road kill, and wait for the vultures to pick at the brains of it all? I don’t think so.

So – I am a novelist instead. I send my kudos, my congratulations, and my condolences to writers of memoir. You folk are braver than I.

Happy writing,
Noelle

A writing retreat can do wonders… April 20, 2010

I just got back from a weekend away with “Writescape”. They offer weekend retreats for writers each spring and fall, and this was my first. What a weekend! It was a three day retreat, held at Elmhirst Resort in Keene, with lovely lakeside cottages, scrumptious food, and just far away enough to make it a true escape. The two facilitators – Gwynn Scheltema and Ruth E. Walker led the weekend and fuelled the writers with exercises to release the creative beast.

What a joy it was to have two accomplished writers teach and guide me for the weekend. The weekend included a partial manuscript feedback session – they edited your submission and sat down and discussed what was working, where to improve. Scary…but loved getting that feedback.

The weekend had 19 women (men are welcome too, by chance it was all females this time around). The writers were all brilliant. We had a reading session Saturday night, and I was blown away. Everyone had such a unique voice, and such marvellous talent. It was amazing.

Can’t wait to do it again in the fall…new location, but same drill – great accommodations, superb food, endless time to write, edit, outline or reflect, and with two amazing mentors helping you achieve your dream.

If you are interested in a writers weekend away, or other writing workshops, check out their website:
http://writescape.ca