Exploring Our Lives: A Writing Handbook for Senior Adults (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"An uncluttered, demystified, straightforward approach to prose and poetry which will encourage even the most timid to write." -- Dave Bianco, co-founder of Elderhostel

"This book's a life saver, a life celebrator, and more--a splendid slice of life itself. . . . Write On!" -- Studs Terkel, author of Will the Circle Be Unbroken, The Good War, and Working

Product Description

Senior adults can turn their vast experiences into fascinating memoirs, fiction, poetry, children's storybooks, and more using these step-by-step instructions. Practical tips are included for getting started, generating ideas, working with a first draft, revising, editing, and sharing one's writing with others. The writing novice who has just retired and now wants to put pen to paper will find the book an invaluable tool, while more experienced writers will discover creative activities and exercises to help expand and improve their writing. Seniors wanting to write memorable stories for their grandchildren, capture significant events of their lives as a legacy for their family and friends, or simply try their hand at fiction or poetry will find this encouraging and easy to use.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 312 pages
• Publisher: Santa Monica Press (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1891661264
• ISBN-13: 978-1891661266
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,570,063 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical guidance for writing your story..., April 25, 2003

By	Michael Davis "ElderHope" (Rowlett, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In the classes that we have taught on life review, the single biggest question that we have heard is, "How do I write my story so that it will be interesting?" Indeed, most life stories are, well, a drag. They are a series of vignettes with no coordinated point or direction. In this little volume Francis Kazemak helps the reader avoid the trap of poor writing. He holds your hand through the process of learning to write your story well, in a number of different formats (poetry, as well as prose). As far as English teachers go, he is engaging and not pedantic (in my experience, no small miracle!). He provides good examples and clear instructions. This is a solid roadmap in the designated journey of writing your life story.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Writing as a Way Through Life, July 11, 2006

By	Janet Riehl "riehlife.com, Village Wisdom for... (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Poetry, fiction,blending photographs and writing, children's picture books, diaries and dream journals, your life story--whatever you want to write, you'll find help here. Billed as "a writing handbook for senior adults" I think it is useful for any age. . . it's just that seniors have more life experiences to review

Francis Kazemek tells us how to honor memory, how to begin, how to see ourselves as writers (someone who WRITES!), how to receive support through writing groups, and how to appreciate the gifts writing brings to our life ("Living with Grace, Force, and Fascination.") His writing style is clear, graceful, and easy to follow as he leads us along this path.

This is a good compilation of accepted contemporary writing advice (good advice and examples on revising), sparked with brilliant new ideas like the children's picture book using your family photographs.

Definitely worth a place on your writing table.

--Janet Riehl, author Sightlines: A Poet's Diary

4.0 out of 5 stars Help for Memoir, Journal and Poetry Writers, July 4, 2006

By	Virginia Allain "(retired librarian)" (Poinciana, FL) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I really liked the variety of writing styles suggested in this book. The list poem is one I'd never seen before and I can think of a number of ways to use it for my personal memories.
For prose writing, it gives you structure for writing about a memorable person, writing inspired by old photographs, and even dabbles in writing a children's book.
It will get you thinking and hopefully, writing about your life experiences.