I refrain from saying, shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic, as my poor memoir is not really the Titanic of literary works, but it certainly has met its fair share of icebergs.Thanks for reading Memoirist in the Museum!
Have you thought of a framing device? Harder to do with a memoir than a novel, I grant you, but it might help you weave the backstory and the critical part of the story together.
You might also be too close to your own story. I'm reading two novels by a friend right now. One is pretty good. The other ... let's just say I'm dreading that lunch conversation. I think she got too close to the story.
Maybe an honest writer friend or two could read the current iteration and offer you some advice?
By the way, loved the "shuffling deck chairs" and "life preserver" visuals. It is easy to feel like you're drowning in words and decisions!
Thanks for the advice, Mimi. There probably is a lot of my being too close to the story. I'm not sure what a "framing devise" is. I'll have to see if I can google it. As I mentioned to someone else, the back story covers a two year period, which involved moving 5 times. Each move progresses the story, and shows why I did what I did, but there is also the problem of, "I did this, then I did this, did this, did this, etc." I can practically see people's eyes glaze over when I think about them reading it. My one friend did read 2 chapters, and posed some interesting questions. Maybe I'll see if she would read a bit more. It is quite an imposition to ask someone to read that much. But she's a reader, not a writer, so that helps. I don't envy you the delicate job of telling your friend that perhaps what she's written has missed the mark. Tough to hear, tough to deliver. Again, thanks so much for your always welcome and insightful comments.
Think of the Wife of Bath's tale in the Canterbury Tales. It's a story within a story. But, more interesting perhaps, think of Titanic. It uses a framing device. The guys hunting for the necklace, and old Rose telling the story takes us back into the story of the Titanic while also telling us her love story. I hope that helps!
I know deep down you want to get your work out into the world. Hang in there, panic causes paralysis. Let it become your best friend, your secret keeper. You can do this Rose, one sentence at a time.
Thanks so much Daisy. It is such a pleasure to open your comments. But the sentences are done. It's just they are not dancing to the right tune at the moment, and I can sense it. The problem with my back story, in addition to it covering two years, is that it also covers three moves. Five moves, if you count Vancouver (briefly) and then on to Australia (#5). Each move is a stepping stone to the next stage of why the story turned out the way it did. But I have been told it is too much back story. Who knows?
I can so relate. Self publish or not self publish...I go back and forth so many times I become dizzy, so I usually stick my head in the sand until I feel more grounded. Then I come to, dust myself off and write something altogether different, as I stare at the beginning pages of my own Memoir, which, at least I have decided to take to the next level, editing?? Gotta scape up my pennies. All in G-D's time and in His way.
I love the reshuffling metaphor it is a perfect visual for allowing space to enter, creating more fluidity. I look forward to reading your book. There are many who say that once you've written it, it doesn't matter if anyone reads it, because your message has already been delivered to those who need it.
Yes, getting an editor is not cheap, but I'm sure mine needs it. The next question is, will I listen to what they have to say?! Sometimes I am just so tired of the whole thing. But, like a scab, I can't seem to leave it alone either. Thanks so much for your comment.
Thanks so much Miss Beverley. At times, I feel like the drowning woman. But that's what life preservers are for, isn't it? I guess I'm just mightily sick and tired of the whole venture at the moment. But, like a scab, I can't seem to leave it alone!
I'm so sorry to hear your latest publisher hasn't worked out for you Rose They sounded so convincing. Afraid I can't offer you a way out of the quagmire - I'm pretty good at getting stuck there myself. But I can offer words of encouragement. Don't give up yet!
Thanks Julie. I wonder if it wasn't me pressing the panic button too soon? I really did think that that particular company was "the answer". I suppose I am experiencing that dreary pause when you know, OK, now I have to do something different than what I thought would work. Tiresome!
I think of that phrase, the "muddy middle," which reminds me that this must be something that is universally felt.
Quicksand comes to mind! Thanks so much for your encouragement and support, Linda. Much appreciated!
Have you thought of a framing device? Harder to do with a memoir than a novel, I grant you, but it might help you weave the backstory and the critical part of the story together.
You might also be too close to your own story. I'm reading two novels by a friend right now. One is pretty good. The other ... let's just say I'm dreading that lunch conversation. I think she got too close to the story.
Maybe an honest writer friend or two could read the current iteration and offer you some advice?
By the way, loved the "shuffling deck chairs" and "life preserver" visuals. It is easy to feel like you're drowning in words and decisions!
Thanks for the advice, Mimi. There probably is a lot of my being too close to the story. I'm not sure what a "framing devise" is. I'll have to see if I can google it. As I mentioned to someone else, the back story covers a two year period, which involved moving 5 times. Each move progresses the story, and shows why I did what I did, but there is also the problem of, "I did this, then I did this, did this, did this, etc." I can practically see people's eyes glaze over when I think about them reading it. My one friend did read 2 chapters, and posed some interesting questions. Maybe I'll see if she would read a bit more. It is quite an imposition to ask someone to read that much. But she's a reader, not a writer, so that helps. I don't envy you the delicate job of telling your friend that perhaps what she's written has missed the mark. Tough to hear, tough to deliver. Again, thanks so much for your always welcome and insightful comments.
Think of the Wife of Bath's tale in the Canterbury Tales. It's a story within a story. But, more interesting perhaps, think of Titanic. It uses a framing device. The guys hunting for the necklace, and old Rose telling the story takes us back into the story of the Titanic while also telling us her love story. I hope that helps!
I know deep down you want to get your work out into the world. Hang in there, panic causes paralysis. Let it become your best friend, your secret keeper. You can do this Rose, one sentence at a time.
Thanks so much Daisy. It is such a pleasure to open your comments. But the sentences are done. It's just they are not dancing to the right tune at the moment, and I can sense it. The problem with my back story, in addition to it covering two years, is that it also covers three moves. Five moves, if you count Vancouver (briefly) and then on to Australia (#5). Each move is a stepping stone to the next stage of why the story turned out the way it did. But I have been told it is too much back story. Who knows?
I can so relate. Self publish or not self publish...I go back and forth so many times I become dizzy, so I usually stick my head in the sand until I feel more grounded. Then I come to, dust myself off and write something altogether different, as I stare at the beginning pages of my own Memoir, which, at least I have decided to take to the next level, editing?? Gotta scape up my pennies. All in G-D's time and in His way.
I love the reshuffling metaphor it is a perfect visual for allowing space to enter, creating more fluidity. I look forward to reading your book. There are many who say that once you've written it, it doesn't matter if anyone reads it, because your message has already been delivered to those who need it.
Be well
Yes, getting an editor is not cheap, but I'm sure mine needs it. The next question is, will I listen to what they have to say?! Sometimes I am just so tired of the whole thing. But, like a scab, I can't seem to leave it alone either. Thanks so much for your comment.
I hear you loud and clear.
Caught between a rock and a hard place for sure. Keep going as you must because you are getting to the top of a mountainous task.
Help will come keep shouting out and asking everywhere you can.
Think of the struggle and rejections many famous authors have suffered and they could have been lost to history if they'd given up.
Hang in there. It will be worth it Rose.
Thanks so much Miss Beverley. At times, I feel like the drowning woman. But that's what life preservers are for, isn't it? I guess I'm just mightily sick and tired of the whole venture at the moment. But, like a scab, I can't seem to leave it alone!
I'm so sorry to hear your latest publisher hasn't worked out for you Rose They sounded so convincing. Afraid I can't offer you a way out of the quagmire - I'm pretty good at getting stuck there myself. But I can offer words of encouragement. Don't give up yet!
Thanks Julie. I wonder if it wasn't me pressing the panic button too soon? I really did think that that particular company was "the answer". I suppose I am experiencing that dreary pause when you know, OK, now I have to do something different than what I thought would work. Tiresome!