Ellen, Love your comment, absolutely, positive push. I've used the momentum to pick a chapter from my book, edited the text for publication as a story on Family Matters in Glimmertrain Magazine. Got it ready one, two, three, in a few hours before leaving on a celebratory trip. Sent it off with my husband's blessings. My request for 20th wedding anniversary was that he'd record his songs on a CD, his for me: To send out a story from my manuscript to a literary magazine. I delivered in time, he a few days late. Creativity soars. Good to find your comment after the fact, makes me feel extra good :-)

Hi Ellen,

My apologies for my late response to your response. I haven't been at SheWrites for a while.
I recognize what you say about research, there's always more material surfacing, especially as time goes by.

Just a few weeks ago I learned that another branch of my mother's family has started researching their family history, using photos and research material I shared last year with a cousin I discovered Online.
But I haven't finished my book, I thought, and now they're going to finish theirs. Even if the one they're working on is in the first place a photo album with added stories, it stings.
I'm the one who's been reluctant. And I know why, it's MY mother's branch of the family that has been guarding a painful secret, not theirs. So I'm trying to be brave enough to finish. For it's sharing the truth that's scary. As it is for many memoir writers.
I noticed how many interesting comments you got on your post. It looks like we have a lot to share. Thanks for starting that :-) Going to read up on all that now.
Best, Judith

hey, ellen. i'm working on a novel (started out as a novella) about  an 'ordinary' woman who wakes up one day with the stigmata. as books do, it is still writing itself at the moment and i can see i'm going to have a huge job of cleaning and sorting once this first draught gets finished. the hard work is still to come...

I'm working on my first fiction novel, using information I unearthed in the research for  a historical true crime book, Lies Told Under Oath, that I just published.  Am also in the process of writing 'gift' stories that are snippets of memoir for my children as gifts on birthdays and holidays.  Their Dad died when they were children, so this is a way for them to understand who he was - at least a bit.

Ellen, your title interests me. I'd need to read the book before I know whether it would work better for an interview or a review. Can you e-mail me at Lgood67334@comcast.net with your elevator pitch or very short summary. I'll write back with my address.

Thanks,

Lynn

www.writeradvice.com

Author of You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers

HI Ellen!

I really look forward to meeting you again. It will be fun to collaborate. 

J. 

Working on a myth about standing stones I visited in England for a class in 2008.  I was doing undergrad work, finished my MFA, and now am heading to Wales to research and write a novel based on the Rollright Stones.  I'm doing it for my PhD project at Aberystwyth University.  Just got accepted into their CW program.  Exciting times.  Again thanks for you insights.  They were quite helpful and your language only proves that memoir does not have to be dry.

Thanks, Ellen, for friending me and for sharing your writing experience on SheWrites. Very helpful and extremely interesting. I've been working on my memoirs as a gift to my children and grandchildren. When I read your excerpt and saw how you pulled the reader immediately into a memorable scene, I thought okay, I think I did that part right in my story. Your narrative flows smoothly. Mine? I jump back and forth in time. Going to work on that!

Thanks for connecting with me Ellen.  I am working on the third book in my children's travel/adventure series.  One of the members of my critique group is working on a memoir and I sent her this useful information.