"Book fests
The DIY Book Festival (www.diyconvention.com) The New York Book Festival (www.newyorkbookfestival.com) The Beach Book Festival (www.beachbookfestival.com) The Hollywood Book Festival (www.hollywoodbookfestival.com) The Great Midwest Book…"
Attempt 1
The year was 1998. Life had already been changing around me, or perhaps it was just my perception of life that was changing. Maybe it was always so messed up and I was only coming to understand just how much. My mom and dad fought, but I never thought that it was abnormal because it was normal in my home. My dad would drink and then my parents would argue. My dad would become aggressive and throw things. I remember one fight in particular. I had to have been merely four years old and the memory is faded now but I remember my dad throwing the phone. It was one of those tan, rotary style phones that were common in every home. You don’t see those types of phones anymore. He threw the phone at the kitchen floor and it shattered. I remember crying. “I loved that phone” I sobbed to my mother. Shortly after the phone incident my mind grasped on to a comment that my dad said to my mom. “I will kill you”. It scared me tremendously when he said it and I believed him. Late one night I woke up and light was gleaming in through the crack of my door. The light was coming in from the kitchen. I could hear my dad talking and rambling on. Then I heard a laugh. The laughing was loud and boisterous and coming from a woman. My heart sank into my stomach when I realized that this laugh did not belong to my mother. My four year old mind raced and raced. Where was my mom? Did she know that there was another woman in our home? Who was this woman? All at once, my heart sank even deeper and my stomach turned. He did it. He killed her. My mom is dead. I laid there in bed and cried. When I had finally mustered up the courage to face the fact that my mom was gone and my dad brought some new woman to take her place, I walked into the kitchen and could barely see the woman sitting at the table with my dad. I couldn’t see much through the tears. The only words that would come out, “Where is mom”? In an instant my mom burst out of her bedroom and took me in there with her. I can’t remember if I told her what I thought and why I was crying then and the rest of that night is still a blur. It was that night that my feelings for my dad began to change. At age four. I look at my daughter now, who is three, and I pray to God that she never has to experience the feelings that I felt back then. Of course there were more and more fights throughout the years, but none that stick out as much as the first few memories that I have of them.
Comment
-
Comment by Nancy MacMillan on May 15, 2012 at 7:24am
-
Hi Kate.
A quick reply, or should I say, "my 2 cents", as I do work today . . . may I suggest you write the "most explosive" memories first to the best of your memory, then you can fill in what lead to it later on. This was the only way I could move forward with my own story. Don't think about editing at this time. Just get your words out of your head and onto paper (computer). You should also set aside a certain time each day to write, if you are serious. I finally was able to be at my computer by 4 each morning so I could write before work because I was mush by evening. My secret is posted on my blog early on :)
Have a terrific day and happy writing
Nancy MacMillan http://blogofavetswife.blogspot.com/
-
Comment by Kate Clisby on May 14, 2012 at 9:19pm -
Thank you for the comment Nancy. Yes, I am very serious about writing. I feel that my story may be able to help some people out there who are currently where I was ten years or so ago. I'm the type of person who must learn all of life's lessons the hard way and I have all of the scars to prove it! I want to put my stories to paper for those willing to use me as an example.
I am well aware that there is some serious editing to be done but, as for right now, I'm just trying to get all of my thoughts and feelings down when the writing mood strikes.
-
-
Hi Kate,
I saw your plea and am responding. I haven't been by in a while because I'm in the process of self-publishing my first book, a memoir. It took 16 yrs to write, though I never planned to write a book. You have an interesting and emotional background. Are you a serious writer, or do you just want to write and publish? Your drafts are fine, but when you're ready, they need to be "fleshed out." This requires the 5 senses, see, touch, smell, etc. Paint a picture in words of the room, the people, and what your feeling inside, etc. Add dialogue . . . this is a start.
There's so much more involved . . . it takes hard work, lots of time and you must like being alone.
Stop by my blog, if your interested . . . "Blog of a Vet's Wife, My Uncharted Journey into Publishing My First Book.'
Some of my older posts have EXCERPTS from the book, which are noted in the title. Mine is emotional as well. These show "fleshed out" scenes as an example. Now I must get busy . . . I don't work today and have oodles to do. Much success in your new adventure.
Nancy MacMillan http://blogofavetswife.blogspot.com/
Latest Activity
Lone Morch commented on the group 'SWP Authors!'"Mary .... Yes, good point re putting in next printing!! :)
With the shift in distribution, has there been talks about change in costs ?
Good Judith! Go for it. :)"
Judith Newton commented on the group 'SWP Authors!'"I entered this one http://www.hollywoodbookfestival.com/. ; Betsy, I'm seeing that scene at the Golden Gate Bridge!"
Top Content
Badge
© 2013 Created by Kamy Wicoff.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
You need to be a member of She Writes to add comments!
Join She Writes