7 Easy
Steps to Memoir Writing
Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!
Interview with Mary Anne Benedetto, Author
1-Why do you have such a passion for the topic of memoir writing?
My husband and I were touring
Pearl Harbor a few years ago, and it was like a lightning bolt struck me in the
head. I remembered that my own dad was at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941
during the bombing and had survived. I tried to recall anything that he had
ever told me about that day, but there were no details that came to mind. It
was too late to ask him, as he had passed away about five years before my
Hawaiian visit.
I was so upset with myself
for never having taken the time and effort to obtain his stories while it was
possible. It ignited a fire in my heart to inspire others to preserve their
stories and to capture the memories of their loved ones before it is too late.
2-How did you prepare for teaching memoir writing? Did you have a
background in teaching or writing?
I had always enjoyed writing
for family and friends, and I had written my first novel, Eyelash. My education was actually in accounting, paralegal studies
and employee benefits. I researched memoirs and personal history and found
Denis Ledoux at what is now known as the Memoir Network (http://www.thememoirnetwork.com) in
Maine. Although I was already over-committed between work, family and volunteer
work, I couldn’t wait to begin this program to certify as a lifewriting
instructor.
The program involved
tele-conference classes with other students from all over the country plus a
five day intensive writing class at his Maine location. Mr. Ledoux has been
teaching memoir writing since 1988, so he really knows what works and what
doesn’t. This was an excellent training program and a great experience. His
book, Turning Memories Into Memoirs,
is a valuable resource.
3-How did you actually get started teaching workshops?
Just about the time I
finished the certification program, my husband and I relocated from the Albany,
New York area to Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, where we knew exactly two
people in the entire area.
Once again, I spent a great
deal of time researching potential opportunities and found the Osher Lifelong
Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University. I met with Linda Ketron,
Director, and proposed a workshop series for the following semester. She was
extremely receptive and enthusiastic.
I incorporated the basics
that I had learned from Denis LeDoux, continued to conduct extensive research
on the subject and formulated my own workshop series that would be exactly what
people would need to jump-start their memoir projects. I teach through OLLI at
CCU as well as independently.
4-What prompted you to write a book about capturing memories?
Through teaching workshops, I could
see a need to present the topic in an uncomplicated manner for senior citizens. I felt that the
important goal is to simplify the process into easy steps for people to
realize that preserving their stories does not have to be overwhelming. Using
the step-by-step method in my book might not produce a Pulitzer Prize winning
story, but it will get significant life stories and some family history into
the hands of loved ones, and that is my primary goal and passion.
5-What is next on your agenda now that 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing is finished and out there for
everyone to read?
I only hope that marketing
the book will help raise awareness about the importance of preserving our
stories to pass along to future generations. It is the only way they will know
what we’d really like for them to know about our history.
Since publishing 7 Easy
Steps to Memoir Writing, I also wrote and published my second
inspirational novel, Never Say Perfect.
Then along came a travel memoir about an unexpected trip to Italy entitled From Italy with Love & Limoncello.
Additionally, I was helping people write their pet stories and produced Write
Your Pet’s Life Story in 7 Easy Steps to enable pet owners to capture those special stories at their
leisure. I am currently working on the sequel to Never Say Perfect, and its title is Never Say Hopeless. I call myself a genre-hopper since I dash back
and forth between fiction and nonfiction projects. I could work at my computer
24/7, but I have to remind myself to take a break sometimes!
6-How will 7 Easy Steps to
Memoir Writing benefit the reader?
This book is a compact
publication containing a powerful message and tool kit. Following the seven
steps will guide the reader on a successful journey of memoir writing. It
offers additional tips and hints that help to alleviate the overwhelmed feeling
inherent in tackling a memoir project. It provides a comprehensive list of
questions for interviewing relatives or for formulating your own story, a list
of additional resources and select sample stories by my amazing memoir writing
workshop students.
The reader will discover that
preserving our stories, before they are no longer obtainable, can actually be
an enjoyable experience! Children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and future
generations will be thankful to have in their possession the stories that we
choose to write today! It is the only way they will really know who we were and how we lived.
7-How do I buy 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing?
It is available online at Amazon,
Nook & Kindle. Visit www.awriterspresence.com for direct links to online purchase sites.
8-How can you be contacted?
E-mail: info@awriterspresence.com
Web site: www.awriterspresence.com
Writing Blog: www.maryannebenedetto.blogspot.com
Book Blog: www.abookfeast4u.blogspot.com
Travel blog: www.4womenwholove2travel.blogspot.com
Telephone: (843) 215-4676
9-Brief Bio:
Mary Anne Benedetto is a speaker, blogger, Certified
Lifewriting Instructor, ghostwriter and author of Eyelash, Never Say Perfect,
7 Easy
Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time! , From Italy with Love & Limoncello and Write Your Pet’s Life Story in 7 Easy
Steps! Her passions include helping people capture and preserve their
memoirs, writing fiction, golf, family, world travel and walking the
spectacular South Carolina beaches.
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