Comments on: How Oprah Saved My Life http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/2009/06/how-oprah-saved-my-life/ Helping You Write Your Life Story Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:46:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Rose Marie Morrell http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/2009/06/how-oprah-saved-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-163 Rose Marie Morrell Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:33:37 +0000 http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/?p=551#comment-163 Dawn, I went to your websight today to get some ideas for a class I am teaching tonight. I'm trying to find time to do a blog, so I looked at yours--you already know I'm your fan. This blog article was what I needed today--not in June. The old Hu-M-I virus has been active a lot lately and I was rejuvinated by your thoughts and suggestions. It's nice to know others occasionally have "those days" as well. Dawn,

I went to your websight today to get some ideas for a class I am teaching tonight. I’m trying to find time to do a blog, so I looked at yours–you already know I’m your fan.

This blog article was what I needed today–not in June. The old Hu-M-I virus has been active a lot lately and I was rejuvinated by your thoughts and suggestions. It’s nice to know others occasionally have “those days” as well.

]]> By: Matt Thurston http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/2009/06/how-oprah-saved-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-145 Matt Thurston Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:45:13 +0000 http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/?p=551#comment-145 Well said, Mom. While I've never attempted a writing project as ambitious as a book, I can definitely relate to the sentiments expressed in your blog post and the Oprah article. With some rare exceptions when you find yourself "in the zone," writing is usually only enjoyable after the fact. As for tone, whether serious or informal, I'm sure your Parrott history will be a great read. Personally, I'd prefer a more informal, "chatty" approach, with liberal doses of yourself inserted into the narrative. It's often just and interesting (and fun) to learn about the author as the subject -- especially what the author thinks/feels *about* the subject. And since you are a Parrott yourself, you might as well make it both biography and semi-autobiography. Well said, Mom. While I’ve never attempted a writing project as ambitious as a book, I can definitely relate to the sentiments expressed in your blog post and the Oprah article. With some rare exceptions when you find yourself “in the zone,” writing is usually only enjoyable after the fact.

As for tone, whether serious or informal, I’m sure your Parrott history will be a great read. Personally, I’d prefer a more informal, “chatty” approach, with liberal doses of yourself inserted into the narrative. It’s often just and interesting (and fun) to learn about the author as the subject — especially what the author thinks/feels *about* the subject. And since you are a Parrott yourself, you might as well make it both biography and semi-autobiography.

]]> By: Penelope Przekop http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/2009/06/how-oprah-saved-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-139 Penelope Przekop Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:31:15 +0000 http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/?p=551#comment-139 Hi Dawn, I also loved the Castles in the Mind article! I blogged about it, too, and thought you might like to take a peek at what I had to say. Here's the direct link: http://penelopeprzekop.blogspot.com/2009/06/note-to-oprah-magazine.html. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the article, and how it lifted your spirits. It was great for me as well. Good luck! Hi Dawn,

I also loved the Castles in the Mind article! I blogged about it, too, and thought you might like to take a peek at what I had to say. Here’s the direct link: http://penelopeprzekop.blogspot.com/2009/06/note-to-oprah-magazine.html.

I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the article, and how it lifted your spirits. It was great for me as well. Good luck!

]]> By: Elaine http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/2009/06/how-oprah-saved-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-136 Elaine Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:39:04 +0000 http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/?p=551#comment-136 Dawn - Thanks for giving me a little push to get going this morning. I needed that. Next time someone asks you what you've been doing lately, you can tell them - making eye contact - and you might be surprised at their response. I bet one out of five will admit it's something they've always wanted to do but are afraid to fail! Dawn – Thanks for giving me a little push to get going this morning. I needed that. Next time someone asks you what you’ve been doing lately, you can tell them – making eye contact – and you might be surprised at their response. I bet one out of five will admit it’s something they’ve always wanted to do but are afraid to fail!

]]> By: Jasia http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/2009/06/how-oprah-saved-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-135 Jasia Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:31:18 +0000 http://www.memoirmentor.com/blog/?p=551#comment-135 I needed to hear this. I've been procrastinating with my family history just like you have for the same reasons. The thing is, I feel better when I'm writing, when I can get in a rhythm. The problem is, I can only "get in a rhythm" when I'm writing fiction. If I have to stop to look up dates, spellings, facts, etc. it totally breaks my rhythm and I stall out. And without accurate dates, facts, etc. it's hard to write an accurate family history ;-) Maybe I should try the cupcakes... I needed to hear this. I’ve been procrastinating with my family history just like you have for the same reasons. The thing is, I feel better when I’m writing, when I can get in a rhythm. The problem is, I can only “get in a rhythm” when I’m writing fiction. If I have to stop to look up dates, spellings, facts, etc. it totally breaks my rhythm and I stall out. And without accurate dates, facts, etc. it’s hard to write an accurate family history ;-)

Maybe I should try the cupcakes…

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