5.0 out of 5 stars
A Valuable Resource for Any Writer, September 14, 2008
This review is from: Making History: How to remember, record, interpret, and share the events in your life (Paperback)
This book is a multifaceted research tool that has something for nearly anyone. It is a powerful primer for beginning lifestory writers and much more. The historical information will help any writer add authenticity and zest to fiction as well as memoir. History teachers should love it, and it's just plain fun to read. The parts about decades before I was born were as intriguing as the things I remember. The book will be a valuable addition to any writer's reference shelf and a fine gift to nudge family members into writing.
I was a bit daunted by its 400 page length, but when I discovered that a high percentage of those pages are full of lists of all sorts of historical data and writing prompts, I was intrigued. I recognized a gold mine of information I can use many ways. As I began to read, the vein proved to be rich, deep, and highly readable.
In the Preface, Kim explains that when she set out to teach memoir, the local community college insisted she teach history rather than memoir, because they already had a writing class, and she had a degree in history. Although she didn't want to teach history, she didn't want to pass up the opportunity, so she accepted. She did teach history -- writing personal history. I was intrigued by her resourcefulness, and also by her ability to organize the information between the two covers of this book with the precision of a crackerjack librarian and charm of a master story-teller.
The "pep talk" chapters in Part 1 are concise and to the point. They are highly readable, and if you are giving this book as a gift in hopes of motivating a relative to write, these chapters should get their fingers moving. Part 2 is even more concise. In a mere twenty pages Kim covers the basics of how to write memoir vignettes. She gets down to the bare bones of writing with eight "un-rules" including tips like "Don't be polite," "You don't have to be right, rational, or logical," "Forget about the rules of grammar or spelling," and "Trust yourself." These instructions are perfect for anyone who might feel daunted by more detailed directions on story structure, character development, or writing technique. The book is about defining your place in history, retrieving memories, and getting your story on paper, not about developing writing skills.
Part 3 is the meat of the book. The eight chapters are organized according to her arbitrary clustering of events into eight logical categories. Each chapter includes two comprehensive, chronological lists of key events, hit songs for each year, book and movie titles, and other provocative information. One list covers the thirties, forties and fifties, and the other spans the sixties, seventies and eighties. Those raw facts can be found in almanacs and other research publications as well as the Internet, but she brings them all together in one place. Her charmingly written overviews of each era digests that data and brings it to life. She adds sparkle to the summaries with anecdotes about her students and includes one of her own stories at the end of each list. If you finish a chapter without running off to your keyboard, the long list of writing prompts at the end should push you over the edge.
This book is a resource that belongs on the shelf of any serious writer.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
An Essential Book for Writers of Memoirs and Personal Histories, July 19, 2008
This review is from: Making History: How to remember, record, interpret, and share the events in your life (Paperback)
As I sat down to write this review, I flipped through the pages looking for something to stimulate a memory. I found it on page 215--the first great blackout (November 1965). I remember Daddy coming home and telling us about rescuing a woman trapped in an elevator. My sister and I listened to his story while we sat at the kitchen counter coloring in the dark. We'd illuminate the page with a flashlight, try to commit the picture to memory, color in the dark and then examine our work to fits of laughter.
It's a small memory but it's part of my story. It goes to the safe, happy childhood I was privileged to enjoy. And this is the point of Kim Pearson's excellent book. She goes beyond repeating the old saw that everyone has a story to tell and makes the case that everyone should tell their stories. Collectively and in the context of their times, our stories help expand our understanding of every-day people and their contributions--large and small.
Three quarters of Making History is devoted to 60 years' worth of timelines (1930-1989). Kim divides events into eight categories ranging from economics and politics to technology and crime. There's something in these lists for everyone. While the primary-source material makes this book an important tool, Kim waxes eloquently about writing the memoir. She makes her case for capturing our stories while we can and preserving them for all generations.
Kim is a self-confessed story junkie. The fact that she shares some of her memories and family vignettes with us is an added gift. Her memories are vivid, touching and colorful. I recommend that you do more than use this as the wonderful reference book it is. Take the time to read the many vignettes from Kim's personal history as well as from some of her students.
Making History came out of Kim's work to create a personal history and writing class for the senior continuing education program at her local community college. Her book is an essential addition for every memoir writer's library. Keep it within easy reach because I guarantee you'll be reaching for Making History regularly.
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