Tag: Andre Agassi
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More Fantasy Techniques To Help Your Memoir
Each James Bond adventure begins with a visit to Q, who provides special purpose tools of war, communication, and deception. This mythical role of the weapons master turns up in a variety of stories. “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy was loaded with experts in the intricate arts of swords, axes, and arrows. And the…
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Cast of Characters in His Chosen Clan
I used to think that heroes tended to be lonely but after I read Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero with a Thousand Faces,” I realized they are not so lonely after all. It’s true they must leave home to go off to their adventures, which at first makes them seem isolated. But they soon collect allies.…
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Modern Magical Objects in Memoirs
The great tennis player Andre Agassi in his memoir “Open,” shares a unique perspective on the power of these corporate talismans. Like a modern day magician, he was often paid to infuse some of his power into a brand. One time Agassi’s nerves were shot, so to protect his eyes he wore sunglasses during a…
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Shapeshifting, Costumes, and Imposters in Memoirs
In myths, characters can sometimes change shape, for example transforming from man to wolf. Cinderella’s fabulous night out transformed her from a maid to a princess. The notion of moving from one role to another is not limited to fairy tales. Through costumes, cosmetics, hair style, and role-playing, we often alter the way we present…
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Two Types of Trainings in Your Memoir
To become proficient as a tennis champ, Agassi relied heavily on sport trainers. In his description of his training, Agassi offers us a bonus, demonstrating the distinction between two fundamental types of training. One type could be called “weapons training” relevant for battle. In his case, the battle was tennis. The other form of training…
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Myths Suggest a Universal Template for Memoirs
Some of these mythmaking devices looks fanciful, completely disconnected from real life. And yet, with a little imagination, you can see how these techniques might highlight subtle aspects of your own story. To illustrate how this works, I will point out echoes of these mythological structures, suggested by Andre Agassi’s memoir “Open,” and then offer…
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In your memoir, how does your character grow?
That requirement for closure at the end of a story often stymies aspiring writers, who can’t at first visualize the satisfying ending that occurred during their own lives. They are afraid that if they report the events that actually happened, the reader will not feel particularly informed or uplifted. This question leads to the heart…
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Conflict with Parent Fleshes in Authentic Character
One of the most common complaints I hear in a memoir workshop is about the difficulty of writing honest feelings about parents. I encourage writers to push through their reluctance. Writing about them will reveal the relationships in new ways. Even if this material does not appear within the frame of your proposed story, you…
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This celebrity has flaws. How about you?
Agassi became the best tennis player in the world, but it was never enough. Even with his money, his fame, and his supermodel wife, his dissatisfaction always left him sour. Talk about ungrateful! This guy was beginning to sound like a real jerk.
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The Protagonist of a Memoir Must have a Goal and Obstacles
One of the fundamental elements in every story is the reader’s identification with the protagonist. This protagonist doesn’t just stand there. He or she wants something, and then moves toward it, while we readers turn pages to overcome the obstacles. In Andre Agassi’s “Open” the pressure to push against obstacles generates enormous tension that makes…
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