Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 1. Your personality expressed in writing that is instantly recognizable to your readers.

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1 Writing Your Memoir A workshop based on Mom In Her Own Words written by Evelyn M. Kerrigan. Workshop presented by Kim Kerrigan Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 1 Your Writing Voice Your personality expressed in writing that is instantly recognizable to your readers. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 2 1

2 Your Writing Voice Then, came Libby. She was part of us all. She, too, shared our joys and our sorrows and was such a joy to have around! Like Gert, I never, ever heard Lib say an unkind word about anyone. We understood each other so well. Lib loved everyone, and everyone loved her. Remember how she livened up a party? And that was the way it was all through our friendship. In a way, our backgrounds were different, but her friends became mine, and my friends became hers. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 3 Active Voice Active Voice The subject performs the action in an active voice sentence. Passive Voice The subject is acted upon by someone or something in a passive voice sentence. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 4 2

3 Examples of Active and Passive Voice Active Aunt Gert shared much of my life in these years. Passive Much of my life in these years I shared with Gert. 5 ACTIVE VOICE Often, the active voice is More personal More assertive More concise. 6 3

4 Vary Your Sentence Length Vary the length of your sentences for greater interest, flow, and expressiveness Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 7 Example of Sentences with Varying Lengths Within a Passage Oh! Those marvelous vacations in Westhampton. Milton [Libby s brother] was always so generous with his condo in Westhampton where many of the New York wealthy lived in the summer! Everyone had maids, except us! We carried our own groceries! Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 8 4

5 Example of Sentences with Varying Lengths Within a Passage I wish I could have spent more time with Lib in her last years. But we moved to Florida several years before she died. She visited us here only once, I think. Nevertheless, we saw each other in Oak Bluffs on Martha s Vineyard. One summer, she had rented a small cottage with Doris Costello [a mutual friend] while I was visiting Helen and Art at their home in Oak Bluffs. When Libby died, it left a void inside me, one that never was filled. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 9 Example of Sentences with Varying Lengths Within a Passage Aunt Gert and Uncle Peter [husband of my father s sister Catherine Kitty Krones] and I were in the girls room looking into the closet and seeing all the girls clothes burned badly a devastation and I burst out crying, and I kept crying. Peter put his arm around me and said, Don t cry, Evelyn. And Gert retorted, You let her cry all she wants to. Gert understood. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 10 5

6 Follow These Six Writing Steps to Enhance Your Memoir Step One: Be Organized Focus on only one main message Step Two: Be Conversational Talk to your readers Step Three: Be Clear Be specific about people, places, and events. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 11 Follow These Six Writing Steps to Enhance Your Memoir Step Four: Be Personal Convey your personality by using active voice and personal pronouns Step Five: Be Creative Grab and maintain your readers attention with stimulating, lively, and relevant anecdotes. Step Six: Be Positive Describe sad, tragic, or happy events with an optimistic, resilient, and insightful attitude. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 12 6

7 Your First Draft Write the first draft of your memoir in chronological order to organize and clarify your thoughts. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 13 First Draft The most traumatic event, I believe, was my eye accident. I didn t know this when it happened I was only 5 or 6 years old. But, in later years, when I began to think of boys and dates, I was very conscious that my eyes were not perfect. The left one was damaged. There was (and is) no sight there. This made me very self-conscious until the time I dated Jim. He made me feel that I was attractive. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 14 7

8 Passion Write your memoir whether a short or long one with passion, yet with deep reflection and realism. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 15 Passion We were very happy together. Somehow, Dad tolerated my occasional temper. And we disagreed often, but there was always a true love and admiration for each other. He was always a gentleman, and he was definitely the most liberal person I ve ever known. Now, in my late age and looking back and meeting more and more people I realize what a great man Dad was. His compassion and liberalism are rarely found in the average man. It was certainly never dull living with such a man. And we were so proud and happy to have four most wonderful children. It was a happy time. Love from your devoted Mom. Copyright (C) 2017 by Corporate Classrooms 16 8