March Newsletter of Personal Essay Writing
Vol. 21, No. 3 March 2021
© 2021 Carol Celeste
All Rights Reserved ISSN 2168-7854
CONTENTS
* Carol's Comments
*Therapeutic Writing Fact
* Writing Quote
*"Memoir Manners"
* Course Offerings
*Personal Essay Topic to Write About NOW
* Markets
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Remember when....masks were not a fashion statement, hugging was a comforting greeting, we didn't wonder if everyone we happened to pass in a store was breathing virus on us, when a common headache sent us to the testing site in panic, when we filled the gas tank every week, not every few months? The list of things we remember from just one year ago is too long to keep going. You all have your own additions I'm sure.
The article in this issue is about remembering and chronicling memories. I realize that some of you sitll have jobs, whether at home or a work site, or children doing what is called at home learning who need your attention, or elders to care for with special protocols complicating an already complicated responsibility, but...If you are among the many with time on your hands you may have been thinking about the good old days as far back as decades or maybe 12 months ago. Writing about those times as well as the present is likely to help you cope with what seems to be an endless imposition of restriction. The numbers shrink and suddenly leap leaving uncertainty a way of life.
Why not get those life stories moving while you can. Don’t let those moments slip away in your mind. They are all precious. Find tips for getting started in this issue.
Please wear a mask in public, keep a good distance from others and wash those hands.
And still make time to...
First, a memoir is to recall and reflect on a specific part of your life, not a complete life story. Most of us have many themes to address, giving us many separate memoir opportunities.
Second, it serves you as a way of working through life’s events and your feelings about them. It serves readers by teaching life lessons that may help them, and perhaps offer entertainment. Write your honest feelings for your own benefit then edit for readers, excluding the deeply personal parts. Honesty with yourself is the key therapeutic value in life-writing.
Third, create word pictures of the scenes and metaphors and analogies of your feelings. Show by describing rather than tell by listing facts. Express the visions and emotions in your life.
Forth, if you intend to share with loved ones, consider how they might interpret what you say. Be gentle while remaining honest about events others may be touchy about.
Writing your life stories makes you think through feelings you might prefer to forget (the ones you most need to face). It yields solutions to problems that nag at your peace. It is shown to offer numerous health benefits. It helps you connect with others and leaves a legacy for loved ones. Start by transferring your deepest thoughts and feelings into written words. Ignore spelling and grammar. Just gather the ideas together. Try it for a few days and see how you feel. Then make it a habit. Write on!
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MARKETS FOR PERSONAL ESSAYS
Guideposts publishes true stories about people who have attained a goal, surmounted an obstacle or learned a helpful lesson through their faith. Word count 1,500 max. Pays on acceptance but rate not noted. Focus on a specific event. Check more details at Guideposts.
My Favorite Tractor contest from Farm & Ranch Living magazine pays $500 to the winner and $50 to each of two runners up in this unique contest. Submit 400 words with before and after pictures of a restoring project that leaves the tractor looking like new (or like nothing on the market). Deadline May 31. Learn more at Farm & Ranch Living.
Crazyhorse reads submissions from September 1 through May 31. Length a generous 2,500 to 8,500 words. They believe creative nonfiction can take any shape, from letter to list, from biography to memoir and more. Affiliated with College of Charleston. Details at
Crazyhorse.
Share personal essay markets you know about. Email them to carol@writingtoheal.com and I'll add them to the website list.
Write to heal, write to grow, write to reflect.
Carol Celeste
carol@writingtoheal.com
www.writingtoheal.com
www.twitter.com/writingtoheal
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Therapeutic Writing Fact
From: National Library of Medicine "...the benefits of expressive writing for people diagnosed with major depressive disorder" by Krpan et.al. "A range of benefits from improved immune system function to reduction of specific symptoms of many diseases have shown up in numerous trials... For generally healthy people, emotional writing also results in lower blood pressure and reduced stress and liver enzymes. No matter what your topic, good personal writing involves emotions... Stories about your daily routine as much as serious problems engage readers, and you, more deeply when you express emotions."
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Writing Quote:"Stories are how we find meaning in this often confusing world." Chuck Leddy, book critic
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COURSE OFFERINGS ~
All courses are conducted by email and begin every Friday. Compare the
prices to other online personal essay courses and you'll realize the
value offered. Meidabistro=$499, Gotham Writers Workshop=$395,
Writers.com=$295 and up, Truby's=$449 to name a few. Don't wait another
day.
To register now or order a course as a gift visit Writing Courses.
These courses are now offered:
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WRITING PERSONAL ESSAYS Personal Essays
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WRITING PERSONAL ESSAYS--ADVANCED WPE Advanced.
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YOUR LIFE IN ESSAYS Your Life.
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ARTICLE - "Memoir Manners"
If you're ready to embark on a memoir of any length, from a personal essay to a book, you will find more joy and produce a more engaging product if you consider some tips about the process before beginning.
PERSONAL ESSAY TOPIC
Looking for something to write about? Here's a topic to inspire your inner self to emerge.
Write about your favorite season of the year. Explore how it makes you feel.
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We all have pandemic stories. If you want to share yours, here are some publications looking for pandemic stories for you to check.
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