Writing Your Life: Putting Your Past on Paper

by Lou W. Stanek

Book Overview

We all have stories to tell -- of a rapturous first kiss, a life-altering moment of choice, or the shocking revelation of a long-guarded secret. And these stories are often as distinctive, fascinating, exciting and entertaining as those found in the memoirs and autobiographies that currently top the nation's bestseller lists. We just need to know how to tell them best.

Veteran, writing teacher, lecturer, and author of So You Want to Write...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380786257
• ISBN13: 9780380786251
• Release Date: December 1996
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Get the Juices Flowing

I got my penny plus shipping/handling worth out of this book. While Dr. Stanek maybe wordy she is very creative with her word usage. I was able follow her except until I got to the end of chapter 17, I nearly forgot what she was talking about. She gave a lot of ideas often triggered my memory that I stopped reading to write. I wouldn't consider this a reference book but one to provide inspiration and to get the juices flowing.

Good for beginners

Another great memoir-writing instructional guide to help you capture your life experiences and turn them into compelling nonfiction. Filled with lots of exercises and invaluable techniques.

What A Terrific Book To Jump Start Your Life Stories!

We all have memories of people, places, and events in our lives others would enjoy reading about. My problem all these years has been finding a starting place. Dr. Stanek solved the problem for me, and I recommend you let her solve it for you. I read her book all the way through without putting it down, it was so much fun dredging up memories. I have pages and pages of notes about people, places, things, pets, adventures, embarrassments, and other fun things to write about--all from reading this little book. I'm now starting over and doing her exercises. What fun! Your children and their children and their children will bless you for writing your life stories. And you'll feel good about yourself too. Read this book soon!

A Great Starting Place for a Wannabe Writer

The first speech given by every novice before a Toastmasters's group is to talk about oneself. Having oneself as a topic is the easiest assignment, the perfect ice-breaker to help overcome first time jitters. The same can be said of the memoir. First time writers often don't know where, or how, to begin. As with all good teachers--Lou Willett Stanek gives the student/reader permission to begin. She eases the would-be writer through self-doubt. She explains the difference between autobiography and memoir. She gives the new writer a way to begin by writing a memoir. This book is a good place to start learning the joy of writing.