Writing Your Life: A Journey of Discovery

Description

Patti Miller explains in this guide that, whatever your achievements and challenges in life, your story is worth writing. If you have dreamed by childhood creeks, played in a dusty schoolyard, kissed in the back row at the pictures, had coffee with a friend, watched the sun rise or lived through any of life's twists and turns, then you have a story to tell. Experience of living and a desire to write are what qualifies you to write a life story and this guide shows how. The book is also about the psychological and spiritual journey of "writing the self", exploring issues of identity, meaning and truth. It provides techniques for getting started, handling perspective, stitching the pieces together and bringing experiences to life. It also explores issues like selective memory, emotional healing, interviewing family members, how to communicate your truths without cliche and how to avoid self-indulgence. This edition has been expanded and revised throughout with completely new chapters on: finding your voice; how to write engaging narrative; and how to shape memoir, including "recovery" and travel or sojourn memoirs. The passion and delight of life-writing is illustrated in the addition of an anthology of stories by people who have already been encouraged by Patti Miller's writing techniques.

Patti Miller is a writer and teacher who lives in the Blue Mountains of NSW. After teaching general writing classes for many years, Patti discovered how many people wanted to write their life stories and designed workshops especially for them. The first edition of 'Writing your Life' (1994) grew out of those workshops. 'The Last One Who Remembers' (1997), Patti's second book, shows what is possible if writers continue to explore their craft in the this way. 'Child' (1998) was her third book and first novel.

'This book will be a valuable companion as you write your own life story.' Caroline Jones, author of An Authentic Life 'Patti Miller is the perfect navigator to accompany anyone embarking on the journey of discovery that is life writing... her voice is like that of a guiding friend, offering encouragement and support as well as practical advice.' Caroline Baum