Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement or anything really about their writing. A different question is posed each month, as a writing prompt for IWSG members. Answering it is optional. For April, the question is “When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep on writing?”
This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Olga Godim, Chemist Ken, Renee Scattergood, and Tamara Narayan. Feel free to swing by their sites and see what they’re up to.
My answer to the question (“When your writing life is a bit cloudy or filled with rain, what do you do to dig down and keep on writing?”)
Unlike many other IWSG members, writing is not my career. One could argue I write full-time (when not traveling), but only if you add blog posts, translations, emails, blog comments, interviews, articles and diary entries to working on my first non-fiction book. Because of the other commitments in my life (mostly related to our business, jobs and house sits), I look forward to every block of time I can commit to my memoir and therefore I’m rarely stuck. This doesn’t mean I know what I’m doing.
I enjoy the writing and editing process and have no problem to “keep on writing,” since my brain (and life) is filled with stories and adventures. Where I do get stuck is deciding which parts/sections/themes/stories to keep in the book, and how to delete half of my first draft. It seems impossible, and creating a two-part memoir is probably not a good solution. (Has this ever been done?) When despair sets in, it is helpful to talk about my book to my husband or best friend, read up on the writing craft, or go for a walk in nature to air my brain.
Hike in Eldorado Hills, close to our current home in Santa Fe
My book progress
The year 2018 keeps progressing in its determined fast fashion. This is how my March looked like:
- Week 1: rereading and “softly” editing my memoir, creating a second draft. Fixing typos, rephrasing sentences and attempting to cut boring passages.
- Week 2: large English – Dutch translation project.
- Week 3: working on the second draft of my memoir – finished chapters go to my husband, who makes recommendations. I incorporate those changes and move on to the next chapter.
- Week 4: wrapping up our six-week house sit in Albuquerque and getting settled at a new two-month house sit in Santa Fe, both in New Mexico.
Every week, I write and post at least one blog as well.
Worth mentioning
The more I read about memoir, especially on Victoria’s website “Adventures in Writing”, the less I think my book fits in that genre right now. Memoirs focus on one main theme (I still want and have too many topics and stories); the rest should go. The origin scene is where the protagonist’s misbelief about the world is born. The only “misbelieves” I can come up with is my naivety, my belief in romance and my desire for freedom and adventure. Yep… still some work to do here, if I want this book to be a memoir!
Karen of Profound Journey recently left me a beautiful compliment: “Reading your experiences is like tuning into a good movie without commercials. There can never be too much.” This is the perfect “pick-me-up” when doubt sets in about my writing and memoir attempt.
I also received this tip from author Hilary Custance Green: “Don’t state the obvious, let implications do their job.” The more I think about her advice, the more it makes sense to let the reader fill in gaps, and refrain from explaining every situation and event in detail, something I usually attempt to avoid confusion.
Whenever I’m done with the second draft of this memoir, I will try to take all these wise words into account for round three. After that, I hope to be ready for beta readers to provide input.
Another house sit, another desk – for two months
Memoir excerpt
Last month, I shared an excerpt of the prologue of my WIP (Work in Progress), which has the temporary title “Floating About – A Life Less Ordinary”. Another blog post, last year, included a section of the first chapter, so, this month, I provide an excerpt of the second chapter, “From Seasick to Lovesick”. This chapter “summarizes” my one-year RV trip throughout Central America in 2005-2006, which might get (mostly) cut in the final version. As I mentioned before… too many stories. ?
During my parents’ visit to the Yucatan Peninsula, Mark and I were camped at the gorgeous beach of Xpu-Ha, along the dreamy Caribbean Sea. We reunited with Sabine and Michael [our German RV friends]. I was happy to have a girlfriend around, since life on the road can be quite lonely south of the border.
“You have been married how long?” I exclaimed during one of my conversations with Sabine.
“Ten years,” she answered in a matter-of-fact way.
“Ten years! How do you do that?” I genuinely wondered. I had never lasted more than three years in any relationship. Mark had been my boyfriend for only a year and a half and I could feel our affection wane. I longed for the connection, care and understanding I had taken for granted with Karl before. I was still deeply in love with Mark, but the sentiment did not appear mutual anymore. Did it have to do with being cooped up in an 11ft camper for too long?
“We have our ups and downs, like all couples,” Sabine responded, before mentioning the characteristics in her husband she wasn’t fond of. I pointed out how Michael was always courteous and sweet to her.
“Why can’t my guy be more caring and romantic?” I whined. I missed that trait in Mark, just as I did with Karl, who had showered me with love in comparison. Maybe it is me? Am I that unlikable or unattractive, I wondered.
Any comments – especially tips/improvements in regards to the excerpt – are highly appreciated.
April 4, 2018 at 14:03
It must feel very reassuring to have a writers suport group? Sounds like you are progressing nicely with your memoir. I have enjoyed the little excerpt and now want to read more?
April 5, 2018 at 11:24
This IWSG is fantastic, Gilda, especially since I have no ability of joining “real life” writing groups. We move too much. That being said, I wish I had more time to be involved with the group online – via members’ blogs and their Facebook page. Thanks for the encouragement with the memoir!
April 4, 2018 at 14:18
Liesbet, I love the chapter titles you have here. They are unique yet specific. And you have some wonderful comments and advice about your fine adventures. And they are wonderful adventures. This snippet of you chapter is good. If you can, dig deeper to see why Liesbet “thinks” she can’t find the perfect guy or that her relationships seem to wane. Your friend offers good advice: every relationship has its ups and downs. So does mine. Couples need to work at commitments and relationships.
Thank you for mentioning my blog in your post and providing a link. It is greatly appreciated. I am struggling to incorporate these principles in my memoir as well. I have NOT forgotten that we are to share chapters. As soon as I have some semblance of a deeply thought out chapter or ten pages, we’ll try to help each other out with comments. Thanks so much for your patience.
April 5, 2018 at 11:31
Thanks for the comment and insights, Victoria. You are one of my teachers on this venture! The chapter titles have been there since the beginning, since I created the outline. We will see what happens with all that. Throughout the book, Mark and I will struggle through interesting bits of life. In general, I’m a pretty confident person, but sometimes, doubt slips in when it comes to love, romance and relationships. Often, I wonder whether I won’t be better off on my own. And… that’s one of my themes. 🙂
It looks like we are struggling with the same elements in our memoirs. I’m looking forward to exchanging chapters. Like you, I want for those to be ready to see daylight…
April 4, 2018 at 14:23
Just get it all together, consult with some beta readers, and then you’ll know what to do next.
April 5, 2018 at 11:32
Good advice! I do need the “all together” part to reduce in size first, though. 🙂
April 4, 2018 at 14:47
Okay, I think I was a Peeping Tom in another life because I love to see writers in their work space. 🙂
I really enjoyed the excerpt, Liesbeth. I do agree with Victoria’s comment about digging deeper as to why you felt you were unlikeable.
April 5, 2018 at 11:34
Thanks, Jill. I usually think I am very likeable. This was a weak moment. 🙂 You are right, of course. Digging deep is what’s needed. As of now, the book has too many “descriptive” parts. Feeling unlikeable is not one of the main themes, however, just a floating thought.
April 4, 2018 at 14:59
Hi Liesbet,
Thanks for mentioning Victoria’s website. I’m going to take a look for sure.
And I’m very glad if my very sincere compliment helps you on the tough days. You do the same for me; it’s very much a two-way street.
I’ve just finished reading a book called Leaving a Trace. It’s about keeping a diary. One of the things I found really interesting just might help you with your book. The author, Alexandra Johnson, recommends going through all of your old journals (In your case, just go through your book manuscript) and indexing the various stories and segments so you can see your life’s patterns.
I’ve written about this for the ‘H’ post of my A-Z blogging challenge, but since that’s still a few days away, let me give you her list of categories here. There are ten.They are:
longing, fear, mastery, (intentional) silences, key influences, hidden lessons, secret gifts, challenges, unfinished business, and untapped potential.
Once you have those patterns, I sincerely believe you’ll be closer to a theme, or at least to being able to cut the stories that aren’t the very, very best examples of how a particular theme works in your life.
If this interests you and you want more, let me know and I’ll scan and send the section of Johnson’s book where she talks about this.
April 5, 2018 at 11:42
Thank you for all this, Karen. Very sound and helpful advice. I assume I could group the content of my book into these categories, see which ones reappear most and then follow that path. I’ll be sure to keep an eye on your “H” post!
I have to admit something here… I read a really good book about memoir writing a couple of years ago, which helped me focus on what I want to achieve in my book and what I prefer the main theme to be (my relationship with Mark and conflicts related to that). But, instead of focusing on that when writing my first draft, I found it more important to put everything in it that I thought was interesting information about our lifestyle aboard, including some hairy stories, some background info, etc. Now, of course, I realize that I shouldn’t have done that, since, those parts are exactly what I attempt to cut away these days.
So, the funny thing is that I kind of know which direction to go, but I sabotaged myself all those years, and feel “better” with a more difficult task than a straightforward, “knowing what I want and acting upon that” strategy… Yeah… I know. 🙂
April 4, 2018 at 15:37
You have really accomplished a lot and should be proud of the strides you’ve made. It must be hard to cut your word count down, even though you know it’s necessary. I loved the little snippet… it’s honest and (especially since I know you and Mark) intriguing. So, if your book is not a memoir, what is it? An autobiography? A novel based on fact? Does it have to be something specific?
April 5, 2018 at 12:44
If it’s not a memoir, I will have to call it an adventure story book. 🙂 It has to fit into a genre, or it will never sell or be categorized. It’s not an autobiography, because it only covers a specific period in my life (my thirties). Definitively not a novel, since the content is all truthful. Basically, it can only be a memoir. But, right now, it contains too much information, themes and stories… I want to share too much. I want people to understand how life aboard looks like, how some of the places feel like, how certain challenges suck and other experiences blow your mind. What I need to do is, if my main theme is “our relationship”, cut all the other stuff. Tens of thousands of words. Hmmm.
April 4, 2018 at 15:58
Does your memoir have to fit into a perfect box? I think it’s OK to be unique 🙂 The excerpt is very intriguing and relatable.
April 5, 2018 at 12:45
You’re right, Lucy, the style of this memoir will be unique and “me”, but, nobody would read it if it’s twice the size of a “normal” memoir. Unless I am a pro at writing compelling stories. Which I”m not. Easier to tell them over a cocktail in that case. 🙂
April 4, 2018 at 17:14
Rich food for thought for writers in the revising/editing process. I’m right there with you. More power to you, Liesbet!
You mention uncertainty as you write which brings to mind a clever thought by E. L. Doctorow: “Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.” Ahhh ~ take a deep breath!
April 5, 2018 at 12:49
I love this quote, Marian. You and I, we will get there… on our own terms and in our own time. I’m starting to feel pressured, though, as I don’t want to keep my life “on hold” while I work through this memoir. It is taking much longer than I ever expected. And, the hardest parts are still to come. Whenever new adventures lure around the corner, I’ll have to make a tough decision. How’s your memoir coming along?
April 5, 2018 at 13:44
I wrote a Loooong reply on my iPhone and then it disappeared. Uga buga!
Here it goes – again: I began taking memoir writing courses in 2015 after I started blogging in 2013. Then came drafts of scenes which became chapters. After awhile I submitted my manuscript to beta readers and then a developmental editor in February. Currently, it’s in the hands of a very capable woman who is a full-time writer of poetry and encyclopedias, so I’m not sure when my process will continue. In the meantime, I am writing About the Author and Table of Contents pages and also trying to get the names of those who may write an endorsement.
I’m telling people that my book will come out by Mother’s Day 2019. I’m feeling sort of sketchy about how I move forward right now, so making this declaration makes me feel more committed to the outcome. I’ll be an indie author, no doubt. I don’t see the major publishers hounding me – Ha!
Before attempting memoir, I wrote strictly for academia, which is a totally different mindset. We’ll get there, you and I. Perhaps in the fog. Headlights trained ahead. 🙂
April 5, 2018 at 14:17
Sorry to hear about the loss of your previous comment, Marian. All that effort and energy that goes into it, for nothing. I know exactly how you feel and I hate it when that happens. Yikes. Thanks for rephrasing your words!
You have progressed a lot with your memoir. Once it comes back from the editor, you’ll be in good shape! Setting a release deadline will keep you accountable. You could try writing a book proposal based on what you have (which should be relatively easy for you, since you are working on other parts of your book anyway and you have the sample chapters), if you’d like to pursue traditional publishing first.
April 4, 2018 at 18:08
I always thought that memoir writing is for the bravest of us. You have to open up in your memoir, to show yourself what you truly are. I don’t think I’ll ever write a memoir, but I admire people who do.
April 5, 2018 at 12:53
Luckily, I’ve never had a problem baring my soul, Olga. I am actually rambling a bit too much in certain chapters, which makes those parts easy to cut. The problem is that I want to share some of our most touching experiences and those are more story-based than opening myself up. Hence, my doubts about this being a memoir. So many themes can be followed and focused on, yet, I ought to pick only one (or two). And, people will have to read another book if they are curious about the details of living on a sailboat for eight years…
April 5, 2018 at 00:45
Confessing my ignorance here – I just thought memoir was a synonym for autobiography, but I googled it and now see what you mean about the theme. But can’t it be an autobiography? Can’t it be anything you want? I think the story of your life is fascinating and, like Janis, I’m intrigued by the mention of Mark, knowing that you obviously got over those feelings, and by how you met which you’ve already tantalised me with!
April 5, 2018 at 13:03
Before I started writing this tome, I had no idea either, Anabel. An autobiography of my life (say until I turned 40) would be massive! I made up my mind from the start to only cover my thirties in this book (hey, one thing I decided from the start). Since it covers a certain period of my life, it would be called a memoir. Or, I could compile stories as chapters into a “book of my life”, but I have no idea what that would be called. 🙂
Picking a genre is important for every book, so it can be categorized and searched for by the right readership. Or, published by the right company. The good thing about our life is that it is quite fascinating (with many stories to make it that way), the bad thing is that the manuscript has to be “sound”: compelling, easy to read. and it needs to make sense as a whole package.
Oh, and who says the Mark in this excerpt is the same one as my current husband? 🙂 A lot can happen in ten years…
April 5, 2018 at 14:08
Ah, now you are intriguing us again!
April 5, 2018 at 14:18
🙂 I’m going to have to be careful with what I reveal in these monthly posts…
April 5, 2018 at 14:22
Well, yes, if you want us to read the book don’t give it all away in advance!
April 5, 2018 at 15:15
Oh, there will be a few surprises left. I promise! 🙂
April 5, 2018 at 15:28
?
April 5, 2018 at 03:58
Wow, you really are one busy woman, Liesbet! Good on you for tackling a memoir, and everything else you do!
April 5, 2018 at 13:04
Thanks, Yvette, for your visit, your comment and your encouragement. Don’t we all wish we could just focus on our writing and ignore the rest of our lives. 🙂
April 5, 2018 at 06:34
People have left some great comments. I like Olga’s in particular where she says that memoir writing is for the bravest of us. I never really thought about it that way, but I think she’s write as you really have to open up and reveal yourself. I wish I had some sort of sage advice to offer, but what I do know is that I really enjoyed this snippet as well. Those are super adorable puppies too 🙂
April 5, 2018 at 13:08
It’s funny how we all think that what other people write about is harder than what we set out to do ourselves. Fiction requires creativity and a boundless imagination. That seems hard to me – creating a story from scratch, with believable characters and the right amount of suspense. It would be fun, but oh so demanding! If I ever come up with a suitable story for a novel, I would be worried the reader guesses the climax/ending from the start, that the plot is boring, and so on. With a memoir, the story is easy, because it is exactly what happened. 🙂 Chatty me doesn’t mind sharing my emotions and “faults” with the world. I just don’t know how to incorporate it all in a compelling (and memoir-sized) way.
April 5, 2018 at 07:02
What a daunting task you face! (But you can do it!) I have a long-term writing project also, but my work is fictional, so there is nothing that is so near and dear to me that I feel I cannot cut it. Probably a lot harder to decide what stays and what goes when you are totally and personally invested in the material!
April 5, 2018 at 13:14
Surprisingly, I am pretty much OK discarding a lot that I’ve written (of course saving it elsewhere with the idea that it might be put to good use another time, another project). This is the problem: I start reading, thinking “Yep, I’m really going to cut this chapter down”. Then, I read on and think “This makes sense. This tells the reader about so and so and such and such. I should leave it in.” And, nothing gets cut. Mark is helping, but when he wants to cut something that is referred to later (which he doesn’t know yet), I have to leave it in. For now. What I need (after another couple of rounds of editing) is a professional memoir editor, probably. Someone who knows about story building and the mind of a reader. I’m long not there!
Wishing you inspiration and fun with your writing project, Lexie. When there is no rush, the juices might flow better. I’m getting antsy, though, and look forward to the next stage in my life.
April 5, 2018 at 22:33
Hi, Liesbet – Congratulations on all that you have accomplished here. I greatly enjoyed your snippet…it has made me want to read more!
April 7, 2018 at 09:45
Thanks, Donna. I’m getting to the point where I should post snippets that are not too revealing, so keep my readers’ attention and curiosity! 🙂
April 6, 2018 at 08:51
I think the excerpt is good, except I was curious on who Karl was. Perhaps that information comes earlier.
April 7, 2018 at 09:46
Hi Tamara! Thanks for swinging by. Karl is the ex I broke up with to be with this “new” guy. Yes, that info came in the previous chapter and was part of another snippet I posted many months ago.
April 6, 2018 at 16:22
Hi Liesbet – Congratulations on your accomplishments to date! Editing is a time consuming process, and is tough when the material is your life story. Sometimes taking a break from editing will give fresh energy and actually help get the job done faster. I’m interested in real life stories and adventures so I’ll be in the queue to read your book 🙂
April 7, 2018 at 09:50
Thanks, Natalie. I enjoy editing, but I had no idea this book would be so long to start with! There is a difference between proofreading and making minor changes (like what I do in articles, interviews and translation assignments), and having to cut tens of thousands of words…
Breaks would be nice, to go for a hike or a trip in the camper. But, at the moment, I don’t want to take any breaks, because I’m actually “settled” in a comfy place for a little while, without too many life distractions. Nevertheless, “forced” breaks will appear in the form of translations jobs, business disasters and health care stuff.
April 6, 2018 at 16:29
Dear Leisbet
Just some thoughts I had while reading your post.
In your post you say, “memoirs focus on one main theme.” You’re concerned your writing doesn’t fit the memoir genre. Isn’t memoir about a persons life and isn’t a persons life filled with many different stories? Aren’t we all multi-faceted beings? Many sides brought together to make the whole?
I think the lifestyle you and Mark have chosen is unique and amazing.
What you’re writing is very brave. It’s a path to self-discovery. Let your words flow and worry about editing later.
Laura
April 7, 2018 at 09:55
Hi Laura! Thanks for your thoughtful and insightful comment.
You are right about all the stories in our lives. And, since we have many, my first draft resembles that. That was all the writing I did, and I let it flow. Now, it is time to edit (and “worry”). 🙂
In order to create a memoir and not just a collection of stories (which might be an idea for another book), one needs to focus on a major component of their life, and have that as a theme. Most of my “incredible” stories (when telling them in person) revolve around my relationship with Mark. So, I kind of picked that as a theme. Yes, many other things happen and some will be shared, but I need to focus in on this relationship. So, while I have a bunch of other adventures captured in this current 160K manuscript, I feel like I have to cut all that extra material away. Maybe, it will be part of another book (with stories) in the future.
April 7, 2018 at 13:39
It seems to me a bit of a kitchen sink job, Liesbet. You’ll probably think me horribly rude but less is more sometimes. I don’t need you to tell me everything. I have an imagination of my own. But you have to go with your instincts. I’m sorry if I’m not a nice critic. 🙁
April 9, 2018 at 08:13
Definitely something I need to work on, Jo, not giving the reader too much information. Thanks for the input. And, it will certainly help cutting the manuscript down. 🙂
April 9, 2018 at 08:17
Still friends? I didn’t mean to seem harsh but looking back maybe I was. 🙁
April 9, 2018 at 08:32
Of course we are still friends, Jo. I am happy with any feedback, and you have a point with your comment. I have a tough skin and I know, like me, you are honest (which I like and appreciate) and straightforward. And, still a nice person. 🙂
I have been in many situations, where when I reread something I wrote to someone, or I rethink what I just said, it might sound harsh. But, in my case, it is part of my personality and people either take it or leave it. They know me and they know I don’t mean anything bad – just honest and trying to help. 🙂
April 8, 2018 at 19:32
Liesbet, in my experience, revising is the hardest part.
A person who has been a great mentor to me in my own writing has given me the wise advice, “Show, don’t tell.” By this, he means that I should use concrete, vivid language that allows the reader to vicariously experience what I am writing about, rather than telling the reader what to think or feel.
I think in your memoir, you have many vivid, interesting experiences on the boat to ground your story, and how you work together in dangerous situations, etc., will show the nature of the relationship more strongly than telling your perspective of the relationship. So maybe don’t cut out all of the boat adventures! They may be what makes your memoir most compelling, and best shows your evolving relationship with Mark.
Once you’ve done your first round of revisions, if you are still concerned that it is too long, maybe give it to a beta reader at that point. Someone with distance from the story may be able to make good suggestions for cuts, as well as identify the work’s strengths.
Best of luck with your revising!
Jude
April 9, 2018 at 08:27
I think revising is hard, because it never stops. One can revise forever. With articles it is easier, because I stop revising when I reach the word count. With a book – such a massive and complex project – I think you are never quite done. It will never be perfect or exactly the way you want it, or… you never get to the point of publishing. It’s like waiting until your sailboat is totally equipped and all the projects are done, before you set out cruising. You’d never go. Or, think about all the excuses before living an adventurous life – it’ll never happen that way.
I’ve heard and read about the “Show, don’t tell” advice often, and it totally makes sense to me when I read it and see examples. I think “Sure, I can do that.” But, of course, it isn’t that easy and the telling wins. I try to achieve a bit of the “show” part by including dialogue once in a while. But, I need to reread this draft with “Show, don’t tell” in mind and make loads of changes! I still have too many descriptions that are “blah”.
I love your advice about the way Mark and I work together on the boat which would show our relationship. I’ll keep that in mind. Instead of saying “we are a good team”, I need to show it with shared actions on our boat. This means… more words. 🙂
I plan to complete this first revision, cutting the “unnecessary” parts out and have Mark do the same. Then, I’ll integrate his suggestions and read the draft again – turning it into the third draft – keeping all your and others advice in mind. That should improve the manuscript. Then, I plan to send it to beta readers, to let me know what they think and – hopefully – I can then take their cutting suggestions into account as well. 🙂
Thank you for the detailed comment and your insights, Jude. And, have fun with your novel and art show!!
April 9, 2018 at 13:30
I love the advice of trusting your readers to fill in the blanks. It is a hard skill to master because it also means you have to trust yourself to lay out just enough.
April 11, 2018 at 10:15
It’s all a tricky business, that I know nothing about! Hopefully, once I’m ready for some beta readers, they can help me decide what to leave in and what is too much information.
April 10, 2018 at 18:14
Hi Liesbet. Still jealous of your long stay in Santa Fe, lol. I was just wondering, instead of struggling with going with one theme for your memoir, why don’t you consider keeping all of your stories and making it more of a book of nonfiction short stories about your travels. That’s what I did with my little book – Have Bags, Will Travel. Your stories would all be under the umbrella of travel stories, but they can be diverse. What do you think? 🙂
April 11, 2018 at 10:30
Hi Debby! I’ve thought about that approach, but would rather write a story collection another time. I prefer to do it the hard way first, in the form of a memoir, with a theme throughout. This memoir will be focused on my relationship with Mark, while a story book would include many sailing experiences and funny/intriguing anecdotes. Not a bad idea, of course, but I’m following the other path now. The stuff I cut out might make it into another book one day. The problem with that is that I want my life to be fun and adventurous again soon, and then that’s what I want to write about. 🙂
April 11, 2018 at 13:23
I completely get it. Just remember whatever you cutout never to throw away, keep in a separate file for later use. You’ll be surprised the nuggets you find when you look back. 🙂
April 11, 2018 at 14:04
While I love throwing things out and simplifying my life, the only time this doesn’t count is with my writing. Hundreds of files, Debby, just like you, probably. 🙂 Yeah… I have stumbled across those nuggets, where I go “Wow, I didn’t know I could write like this.” Haha!
April 12, 2018 at 09:28
Yes! Those nuggets seem to always find a place in another work. I have tons as you suspected, lol. 🙂
April 13, 2018 at 13:29
🙂
April 11, 2018 at 01:06
You certainly can do a two-part memoir. Many memoirists write a series of books, which each one focusing on just one part of their journey. Perhaps the story you’re trying to tell is too big for a single book.
April 11, 2018 at 10:38
Based on my current word count, the story is, indeed, too big for one book. But, some of it doesn’t need to remain in order to flow, or stick to the main theme(s), I think, and hope. With cutting it in two (and rewriting it a bit), the reader might not come to a satisfying conclusion, without reading the second part. I’ll have to think about all this more, and keep editing. Thanks for your input, JH!