Comments on: Read memoirs like a writer - Purpose of a scene http://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/read-memoirs-like-a-writer-purpose-of-a-scene/ 140 Essays to Help You Read and Write Memoirs by Jerry Waxler Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:56:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Rhonda http://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/read-memoirs-like-a-writer-purpose-of-a-scene/#comment-676 Rhonda Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:07:15 +0000 http://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/read-memoirs-like-a-writer-purpose-of-a-scene/#comment-676 Unbelievable. Just when I thought I was on my way and didn't need any more resources, I read a post like this and my writing world is opened up just a little bit more. That was great. Unbelievable. Just when I thought I was on my way and didn’t need any more resources, I read a post like this and my writing world is opened up just a little bit more. That was great.

]]> By: Ritergal http://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/read-memoirs-like-a-writer-purpose-of-a-scene/#comment-635 Ritergal Sun, 14 Oct 2007 15:31:02 +0000 http://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/read-memoirs-like-a-writer-purpose-of-a-scene/#comment-635 How curious that you interpret John's antics with the ultrasound device as an attempt to put Martha at ease, which it apparently did. Had I been in Martha's position, I probably would have found it stressful, especially when he started pressing buttons. What if he broke something! I mention this to show that whatever we write, each reader will interpret the words in a personal and unique way. We can take the greatest pains to clearly express our own truth, but readers will read THEIR own truth, which may be quite different from what we experienced and meant. But -- once written, the matter is out of the writer's domain. My truth is a gift to my reader, to be understood and used in the best way for her. Maybe John and Martha's gift (to me), amplified by your replay, is to remind (me) to lighten up! Is this a great world, or what? How curious that you interpret John’s antics with the ultrasound device as an attempt to put Martha at ease, which it apparently did. Had I been in Martha’s position, I probably would have found it stressful, especially when he started pressing buttons. What if he broke something!

I mention this to show that whatever we write, each reader will interpret the words in a personal and unique way. We can take the greatest pains to clearly express our own truth, but readers will read THEIR own truth, which may be quite different from what we experienced and meant. But — once written, the matter is out of the writer’s domain.

My truth is a gift to my reader, to be understood and used in the best way for her. Maybe John and Martha’s gift (to me), amplified by your replay, is to remind (me) to lighten up! Is this a great world, or what?

]]> By: Coralie Cederna Johnson http://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/read-memoirs-like-a-writer-purpose-of-a-scene/#comment-629 Coralie Cederna Johnson Sat, 13 Oct 2007 11:22:12 +0000 http://memorywritersnetwork.com/blog/read-memoirs-like-a-writer-purpose-of-a-scene/#comment-629 Excellent essay! I agree, as a memoir writer and reader, I feel the same about connecting with others’ true stories. Listening to my own personal response helps me gain greater insight into not only the author’s life but my own as well. Excellent essay! I agree, as a memoir writer and reader, I feel the same about connecting with others’ true stories. Listening to my own personal response helps me gain greater insight into not only the author’s life but my own as well.

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