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He’s doing it too!

Bill Dresser I first met Bill at a talk I gave in Ponte Vedra, Florida, a couple of years ago. He has since told me that talk provided him with answers he desperately needed. Bill had spent a great deal of time writing his memories longhand in notebook after notebook but did not know what to do…

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The Art of Memoir book review

If you are already a student or fan of memoir, you are likely familiar with Mary Karr who has written several memoirs about her tumultuous childhood in east Texas, her rebellious teenage years, and her later turbulent struggle with alcoholism. Three bestselling memoirs and thirty years teaching the genre under her belt, Karr’s latest book, The…

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She’s doing it!

Liberty Goetsch Recently, Liberty and I met to discuss her life story and commit her unique experiences to paper. With help from her supportive husband Gary, she recently began writing and wanted help. Liberty grew up in Cyprus and came to the United States under less-than-ideal circumstances but has created a beautiful life here, made complete with…

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Writing prompt of the month

I’m reading Mary Karr’s The Art of Memoir right now (see review in this newsletter), and it’s a book that has come at the perfect time for me. It’s saying what I need to hear right now. I love when that happens. Karr is an author committed to the genre of memoir who has written three…

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Editing tip of the month

Sue and Joe have children they think are the most perfect creatures on earth, and they enjoy talking about their little ones every chance they get. If you met these children and found the parents’ opinions to be true, how would you write about them? Sue’s and Joe’s children are awesome. Sue and Joe’s children are awesome.…

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Writing People and Places

People are the vehicles through which we tell our stories, and places are the containers that hold our experiences, so it’s critical that we write vividly about the people and places of our lives. That’s why I’m so excited to announce my next program, Writing People and Places, which begins Tuesday, June 14th with an informative…

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Meeting Margie

A BeeWee and his donkey, Margie's children and her parents Helping a person turn the dream of writing her life story into the reality of holding a book in her hands is a great privilege and an amazing joy for me. I also come to know each person I work with as a friend over the…

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FWA Day at the Bay Mini-Conference

I do hope you'll join me for my upcoming workshop, Memoir--Write Your Life, at the Florida Writers Association's Day at the Bay Mini-Conference, May 7th, in Tampa, Florida. Whether you write your life experiences for yourself, your family, or the general public, you want your stories to be interesting and impactful. Explore both popular and unique approaches to writing…

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A Land Remembered

Take a fascinating trip through the life and novels of beloved Florida author, Patrick D. Smith, as told by his son, Rick, at the Winter Park Library, Thursday, March 18th at 10:00 a.m. Rick's compelling storytelling is combined with video clips, photos, paintings, music and sound effects to transport you to another time in our…

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March 2016 Book Reviews

Thanks to the Rollins Winter Park Institute, I was recently able to see and hear, in person, two world-renowned nonfiction writers speak right here in Central Florida--Bill Bryson and Sy Montgomery. I found both of them inspiring and can heartily recommend their latest books to you. Bill Bryson's most recent book, The Road to Little Dribbling, takes the reader along…

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