Living Life Twice

*UPDATED May 14, 2020 FLASH DRAFTS Sometimes writing becomes overly complicated when inexperienced writers are required to over plan, or over think their writing. Frequently, they end up overwhelmed by these well intentioned  requirements. On occasions teachers may note that the volume of writing a student produces is minimal. This is where the strategy of Flash drafts may assist the inexperienced writer to deal with such issues. Let's face it, sometimes the writer just need to 'write.' There exists within them an overwhelming urge to get words and ideas onto paper before they evaporate, or fly away. Overplanning can kill the urgency to write dead in its tracks. Insistence on the use of graphic organizers can also kill the joy. Flash drafts get young writers closer to the act of writing -and it most certainly gets them there much quicker.  The Flash draft enables the writer to feel a greater sense of control over the writing elements, as it involves ...

During my recent visit to Adelaide I had some planning conversations with teachers around writing memoir as opposed to autobiography. Those conversations prompted this post... Here are some thoughts and ideas I hope will support those writers interested in delving into writing memoir pieces. What is a MEMOIR?  Memories just may be the most important possession any writer has.  They shape what we write. When we write from our own experience it often provides the writing with greater authority and accuracy. We want more than tedious recounts of trivial events. Memoir involves exploration of memories whether recent or older. it is at the intersection of heart and mind. It should help the writer discover more about themselves.  You need to connect yourself with your own unique history.  When you explore memories in your writing, pay attention to the feelings connected to it.  Exploring a memory includes looking into not only what happened but...