wordhouse

A paradox on page is the possibility of freedom and constraints. We are free to create, but we are also bound by the demands of language. We meet this paradox as we balance the boundless flow of our thoughts and…

As memoirists, we are bound to the essence of our lived lives. We grapple with the urgent sense that this story holds profound meaning, not just for ourselves as writers, but also for ourselves as readers – detached observers of…

We’ve all been there. We sit down to write our memoir, excited to finally write our story on paper. But then…writer’s block hits. Here on page-craft, we call this ‘page problems’ – those pesky obstacles that pop up at every…

Imagine our ‘run-on pages’ as a direct reflection of our minds—the raw rush of emotions, the unbroken stream of thought captured on paper. We aim for a seamless flow, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the immediacy of our experiences.…

Writing the Organic Page In a great memoir, an organic page reads like a rich tapestry, weaving together raw emotion with a clear story. If we are careful with our choices in shaping the narrative – the tone and the…

Our wide page reflects our freedom and responsibility in deciding which moments to highlight. How we narrow the scope of memory will allow us to craft a memoir honoring the intimacy of the reader’s lived experiences. Memoir writing offers a…

Writing about oneself can feel daunting, especially if we believe our lives lack the drama or excitement to engage readers. What is there to tell, we wonder, when life seems relatively uneventful? However, the absence of dramatic peaks and valleys…

We “move the page” to “pace the memoir,” drawing readers in and guiding them through memories both vivid and faint. The rhythm and flow of our narrative are crucial to letting readers into our personal journey. This rhythm becomes more…

Our memoirs have the potential to move, inspire, or even offer readers a life-changing experience. However, not every memoir achieves this impact; some can feel like a dull slog for readers. But what exactly makes a memoir a dull read?…

Capturing Raw Material on Our Pages When we write our memoir, we diligently gather quotes, personal observations, and emotional impressions that will eventually weave into a vivid tapestry of our life experiences. However, simply collecting memories is insufficient. To effectively…