As a memoir writer I like to read other memoirs, which helps me with my own writing.
Some time ago, I had decided to read the book "Eat Pray Love" particularly since it was based on someone's true life experience. Unfortunately however, it turned out to be the dullest memoir I have ever read in a long time. And I have read dozens of memoirs! To put it bluntly, it was completely boring. For example, a particular scene appeared to go on and on and on... while others seemed to just flash by in only a few pages! The storyline did not hold my attention, and it certainly did not inspire me to want to read any further, let alone read to the end, considering how much it appeared to simply fall away somewhere in the middle... Eventually, out of sheer boredom, and while barely halfway through, I merely gave up any attempt to read it. But that is just my own personal opinion. So don't take my word for it, read it yourself, if you can manage it...
Therefore, I decided instead to read the excellent book: "The King's Speech" which is also based on a true story, and which was of a much better quality with a much faster-paced and more interesting storyline; much like my own particular style of writing - fast-paced; holds the reader's interest and according to some reviews - a good quality read! Which is not a bad compliment for a writer who sometimes still feels unsure of herself from time-to-time.
However, this had ultimately given me the much needed boost - the incentive to write good, after the deflation of reading bad, to work on more of my own memoir manuscript alterations and corrections, which gradually came together over the next few years - on and off - while still battling with my depression, if you remember my previous Blogs.
Fast forward three years to 2014 and eventually I became more than ready, if not a little more confident to seek out an appropriate person to read and critique my memoir manuscript. I was fortunate to meet this person in early March, quite by coincidence when I was seated at her table at that year's International Women's Day high tea function, after introducing myself as a Writer and who just happened to ask me if I had anything to show her what I had written.
Having come prepared for such an occasion, albeit not expecting it, I had with me my sample memoir manuscript and other relevant book proposal information neatly put together in its bright red folder, much like a Resume - always prepared! After briefly reading through some of the pages, I was asked to bring the remainder of my manuscript to another meeting, but which did not take place until several months later, following much of life's interruptions, which is often out of our control...
Eventually in June 2014 she and I met up again, this time with my entire manuscript on my laptop, which I nervously handed over to her to read, and this is what she said - Quote:
"It is extremely well-written and easy to read. The words flow smoothly and you have managed to capture the important elements of what you have personally experienced. However, the only small element missing is a bit of 'colour' By adding a bit more description, this will help to give a little more feeling to some of your chapters, particularly when describing some of the people and places mentioned - such as what that person looked liked, their personality, their voice, their build and the surroundings. Other than that, she said, the entire book manuscript has been excellently written - from a mother's perspective and I would say that after a bit more tweaking with a bit more 'colour' element added, your manuscript is virtually ready for publication! This story really needs to be out there!" she concluded with a reassuring smile. Thank you Barbara - Author Page Post - 14 June 2014
"To Write means more than putting Pretty Words on a page,
The Act of Writing is to Share a Part of Your Soul with the World"
[by Marley Fuentes - Facebook - 8 February 2013]
Happy Writing everyone
Heather Golding (c) 14 March 2015
Some time ago, I had decided to read the book "Eat Pray Love" particularly since it was based on someone's true life experience. Unfortunately however, it turned out to be the dullest memoir I have ever read in a long time. And I have read dozens of memoirs! To put it bluntly, it was completely boring. For example, a particular scene appeared to go on and on and on... while others seemed to just flash by in only a few pages! The storyline did not hold my attention, and it certainly did not inspire me to want to read any further, let alone read to the end, considering how much it appeared to simply fall away somewhere in the middle... Eventually, out of sheer boredom, and while barely halfway through, I merely gave up any attempt to read it. But that is just my own personal opinion. So don't take my word for it, read it yourself, if you can manage it...
Therefore, I decided instead to read the excellent book: "The King's Speech" which is also based on a true story, and which was of a much better quality with a much faster-paced and more interesting storyline; much like my own particular style of writing - fast-paced; holds the reader's interest and according to some reviews - a good quality read! Which is not a bad compliment for a writer who sometimes still feels unsure of herself from time-to-time.
However, this had ultimately given me the much needed boost - the incentive to write good, after the deflation of reading bad, to work on more of my own memoir manuscript alterations and corrections, which gradually came together over the next few years - on and off - while still battling with my depression, if you remember my previous Blogs.
Fast forward three years to 2014 and eventually I became more than ready, if not a little more confident to seek out an appropriate person to read and critique my memoir manuscript. I was fortunate to meet this person in early March, quite by coincidence when I was seated at her table at that year's International Women's Day high tea function, after introducing myself as a Writer and who just happened to ask me if I had anything to show her what I had written.
Having come prepared for such an occasion, albeit not expecting it, I had with me my sample memoir manuscript and other relevant book proposal information neatly put together in its bright red folder, much like a Resume - always prepared! After briefly reading through some of the pages, I was asked to bring the remainder of my manuscript to another meeting, but which did not take place until several months later, following much of life's interruptions, which is often out of our control...
Eventually in June 2014 she and I met up again, this time with my entire manuscript on my laptop, which I nervously handed over to her to read, and this is what she said - Quote:
"It is extremely well-written and easy to read. The words flow smoothly and you have managed to capture the important elements of what you have personally experienced. However, the only small element missing is a bit of 'colour' By adding a bit more description, this will help to give a little more feeling to some of your chapters, particularly when describing some of the people and places mentioned - such as what that person looked liked, their personality, their voice, their build and the surroundings. Other than that, she said, the entire book manuscript has been excellently written - from a mother's perspective and I would say that after a bit more tweaking with a bit more 'colour' element added, your manuscript is virtually ready for publication! This story really needs to be out there!" she concluded with a reassuring smile. Thank you Barbara - Author Page Post - 14 June 2014
"To Write means more than putting Pretty Words on a page,
The Act of Writing is to Share a Part of Your Soul with the World"
[by Marley Fuentes - Facebook - 8 February 2013]
Happy Writing everyone
Heather Golding (c) 14 March 2015
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