When we write Memoir

I just read a quote from a best selling author in NY Times Reivew of Books; she shall be named tomorrow, for my memory sometimes fails me, but she said to the effect that we write memoir to confront ourselves. True enough. It's finding a way to live with who we are and what we have done when we engage in memoir. We have to live with it; even if it is an ugly couch and a ghastly panting that inhabits the rooms and houses of our memory. Wouldn't Keats be proud of me!! ")

Writing and Blogging Tips

From the Pro Blogger Free Newsletter; some wonderful ideas. You can get this for free nearly everyday! 11 Quick Tips for Writing Compelling Posts On Your Blog Posted: 29 May 2013 07:58 AM PDT Yesterday I ran a workshop for a small group of bloggers here in Australia. One of the sessions I covered was on writing compelling content. Here’s a brief look at a few of the recurring themes in what I shared: 1.Be Useful – if your post isn’t informing, inspiring, entertaining or making someone’s life better – don’t publish it until it does. 2.Share your Opinion – opinions are often what sets bloggers apart from the pack. 3.Cut out the Fluff – before you hit publish, revise your post and remove anything that doesn’t add value. 4.Visualise Your Reader – writing with a reader in mind personalises your writing. 5.Make Your Posts Scannable – only 16% of people read every word online. Format your posts so that your main points stand out. 6.Work and Rework You Headlines – a good headline can be the difference between a blog post being read, or ignored. 7.Write with Passion – when you show you care about what you’re writing, your readers are more likely to care too. 8.Give your Readers something to do Next – ask your readers to DO something once they finish reading. It could be to read something else, comment, apply a lesson, share the post etc. 9.Tell Stories – stories are powerful ways of connecting with, inspiring and teaching your readers – they also create memories 10.Give Your Posts Visual Appeal – the inclusion of an eye-catching image or a well designed diagram can take your post to the next level. 11.Practise – the best way to improve your writing is to write. Practise Makes Perfect.

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: The Legend of Al Capone's Doll Collection; A reque...

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: The Legend of Al Capone's Doll Collection; A reque...: Anyone who has information about this legendary collection, please contact me. You may use the emails posted on any of my blogs, or comment...

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Wild Horse gets five star review!

Dr. E's Doll Museum Blog: Wild Horse gets five star review!: On its first day of publication, Wild Horse Runs Free got a 5 Star Review! Thank you, Tom Swift!

Wild Horse Runs Free; A new Romance on Kindle

My romance about two Apache teens and their Apache and White families will appear tomorrow on Kindle. There is oer 20 years of authentic research in this book, which has become a labor of love in many ways. One of the characters, Red Feather, took over the story, and then ovetook the hero! I hope my readers will find the story enjoyable, and they will enjoy the hero's journey from the Southwest of the 19th century to the cobbled streets of New Orleans and back. Also, the cover for the long awaited book on Metal Dolls is here. The book will be in print within two weeks, and will be available through me, and eventually on Amazon. I have been writing and research dolls and other topics heavily, and hope to have a productive summer. Recently attended a fantastic estate sale of a long time collector, artist, and seamstress. I was amazed at how many things there were and at how clever she was at storage and organization. The newest dolls date from around 2000. All items were labelled, sometimes with the donor's name, but also with date, year, and occasion for the givt. To paraphrase Carl Fox, it is amazing what people quietly collect behind the quiet walls of their homes. I wish I could have had a dialog with this lady. All her dolls were cherished and well-kept, and must have give her hours of pleasure. She had made miniature wedding gowns that had darts and linings where applicable, and tiny shoes and doll clothes for all kinds of dolls. She favored collectible Barbies and modern porcelain dolls, with some vintage artist reproductions of antiques like Hilda by JDK, and other Kestner and German bisque dolls. Many of these were over 30 years old, from a doll show which is no longer held. Also, am beginning research on a writing project involving Hugo and various automatons. We are studying them again in my intellectual property class as well. It is fun to show them to my students, and to tie them in with patents, technology, and robotics. I would love to hear for your doll collecting and writing adventures any time. Look for Wild Horse on Kindle free days as well.

What went Wrong on Your Summer Vacation?

Here is a prompt for a memoir, and one that invites photos, scrapbooks, you name it. I can think of a few things, the car breaking down in the desert heat outside Needles, CA, my dad driving around and over London Bridge in Lake Havasu with Killer, our tiny black poodle mix; he got overheated, even in the shade. There was the fender bender in Toronot, the goof up with our passport in Juarez, the colly wobbly tummy in Knotts Berry Farm, but they were good times, all the same, even if we nearly and unwittingly re-enacted A Good Man is Hard to Find! Also, if you watch Retro TV or MeTv, try writing a memoir of the last time you saw a particular tv episode. I have lots of good memroies of where I was and what I was doing. Thse are some ideas to keep everyone writing over the summer. Thanks to all my readers. My new book in metal dolls, pictured here, is nearly in pring, and my noble Wild Horse Runs Free is soon to be on Kindle. Happy Summer!

An Apologia for Countess Erzebet Bathory: Countess Dracula by Tony Thorne

An Apologia for Countess Erzebet Bathory: Countess Dracula by Tony Thorne: It has been awhile, but I've started writing the second YA novel based on Erzebet, and reading the above book about her life. This is t...

Miss Charlotte Bronte meets Miss Barbara Pym: 4 Weddings and a Funeral

Miss Charlotte Bronte meets Miss Barbara Pym: 4 Weddings and a Funeral: It dawned on me as I watched this film with my class for their unit on cinema that two of the couples in this 1994 British film are Deirdre ...