Some people like to workshop their stories in formal classes, others do not. I personally hate it, but I do it anyway. Well, I don't hate it, but find it challenging. I’ve just returned from a writing excursion which took me far from my own country and way out of my comfort zone. At night, … Continue reading To Workshop or Not
Tag: personal essay
Treasure Island
By Robert Louis Stevenson As a memoirist primarily, I didn’t imagine my first review to be about a novel. In delving into the etymology of the term ‘pieces of eight’ for a personal essay I was writing, I became glued to the audio version of Treasure Island, an adventure story presumably intended for children. It … Continue reading Treasure Island
The Intimacy of Memoir
Author Lee Kofman says: ‘Memoirists write directly about what matters to them, whereas fiction writers may sublimate their experiences and passions.’ The first half is certainly true: memoirists are concerned with what matters to them. Whole books are devoted to the second part of Lee's hypothesis. But let’s look at memoir for a moment. Lately … Continue reading The Intimacy of Memoir
Writing or Penning?
Do people ask you how your writing is going? I’m sure we all get asked that. Who knows what the right answer is. One acquaintance of mine enquired further: ‘But are you penning or writing?’ he said. I didn't know the difference. ‘Well,’ he replied, ‘ Ch.(his partner) tells me she's been writing during the … Continue reading Writing or Penning?
WRITINGS AND MUSINGS OF MARGARET MCCAFFREY 