Memoir Writing Pathfinder - Plainfield Public Library

Memoir WritingPlainfield Public Library PathfinderFebruary, 2010Everyone Has a StoryWriting an account of your life can be a veryworthwhile experience. There are a variety ofresources available at Plainfield Public Library withadvice for people who decide to share an accountof their life with family members or with readers ofthe future.Do I have a story to share? Yes!Get advice on: What format will be the most comfortable for me? How do I get started? How honest should I be? What should I do with my work as I proceed or when I finish?Books on writing memoirs, autobiographies, diaries and journalsThe Autobiographer's Handbook: The 826 Valencia Guide toWriting your MemoirTraig, Jennifer 808.066 AUT Features advice from a large variety ofwell-known published memoirists.Leaving a Trace: On Keeping a Journal: The Art of Transforminga Life into StoriesJohnson, Alexandra. 808.066 JOH Inspiration to begin and to growthrough writing.Plainfield Public Library800 Park Ave.Plainfield, NJ 07060908-757-1111 x112ref@plfdpl.infowww.plainfieldlibrary.infoThe New Diary: How to Use a Journal for Self-guidance andExpanded CreativityRainer, Tristine 158.1 RAI Cues and inspiration.Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing MemoirGoldberg, Natalie 808.066 GOL Guidance from a well-respected author

Page 2Memoir WritingBooks that are good examples of memoir & biographyHaving our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 YearsDelany, Sarah Louise 929.2 D37I Know Why the Caged Bird SingsAngelou, Maya B ANGELOU MKaffir Boy: The True Story of a Black Youth's Coming of Age in ApartheidSouth AfricaMathabane, Mark B MATHABANE MOne Writer's BeginningsWelty, Eudora B WELTY EThis Boy's Life: A MemoirWolff, Tobias B WOLFFOnline ResourcesThe Internet provides a wealth of opportunity, both to learn of the memories of otherpeople as well as to share your own stories.NJ-Memories, at http://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/index/usa/NJ/misc.html#NJ-MEMORIES,is a mailing list through which members can share their memories of life in New Jerseycasually and readers have an opportunity to respond.The Association of Personal Historians is a professional group that can provide direction tothose who want to become professional personal historians as well as those who wouldlike to hire a professional for assistance. http://www.personalhistorians.org/StoryCorps states that “Our mission is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives throughlistening.” Their concentration is on audio recording of these stories. Click on RecordYour Story to find out how to participate. http://www.storycorps.org/

Page 3Memoir WritingBlogs as a format for MemoirWeb logs, or blogs, provide an online format for memoir that can offer immediate feedbackfrom readers, if desired. For some writers it may feel less daunting but it also may bemore limited in permanence unless the writer takes additional steps to preserve his or herefforts.The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creating a Web Page and BlogMcFedries, Paul. 005.72 MCF Instruction on blogging in book form.http://www.wikihow.com/Start-a-Blog is an online resource for general instructionon getting started.Blogger is the most popular free resource for blogging athttps://www.blogger.com/start. It provides instruction in the form of an onlinetutorial.Library ResourcesA Memoir Writing Club meets at the library on the second Thursday of each month.Information about the club is available from Jessica or Jane in the Local History Department.Call 908 757-1111, ext. 136 or email localhistory@plfdpl.info.The Local History Department also welcomes the donation of local memoirs whether ornot they are published.And the library offers word processing classes for writers inexperienced with computers.See the library’s calendar http://www.plainfieldlibrary.info/AboutUs/Calendar.html forschedules.