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FROM: Sheila B
Question: I have a life
story that is complicated. It starts off with one family and
touches another two. I have begun my memoirs with a dream
sequence. How do I continue please?
Answer:
Dear Sheila,
I thought I could do with a little help on this one, so I
approached an author who has great experience in crafting
family sagas: Elizabeth Lord. She has written over 20 of these
and has been kind enough to give a number of pointers and
suggestions which will hopefully give you the guidance you are
looking for.
This what she says:
"First - I am sure the book can be achieved - it will
need lots of dedication and will take quite a long time, but it
does sound as if this would make a wonderful story.
"As to guidance on where to go next, there is one thing I'm a
little concerned about - you say these are your memoirs. If
this is a story based on your own family, I should point out
that publishers are not usually interested unless the person is
famous. So it might be an idea to fictionalise it instead
and not use any family names. This might seem radical, but
please think about it.
"Real life can be flat no matter how many ups and downs it
has, so to catch the publishers eye, some of it has to be
virtually made up to become more intensive, i.e. filled with
tension - a page turner. It should have a conclusive ending and
an attention-grabbing beginning.
"Do take care that the use of three families doesn't become too
complicated so that the reader becomes confused, but it
certainly can work.
"Starting with a dream sequence can be very arresting so
long as the dream is connected with something crucial in the
story. In my novel "Company of Rebels" I began with a dream and
that seemed to work fine. However, be careful that the dream
doesn't go on for pages and pages. Use it to establish the
context, or as a sort of flash-back, but don't overdo it."
In conclusion, Elizabeth says: "Do tell Sheila that I think she
can make a splendid story out of this. Tell her to pace
herself, trying not to get everything down on the first several
pages - let it flow out slowly; remember a story should be full
of hills and valleys, ups and downs, keeping the reader's
attention going. (Hope I'm not preaching to the converted!)
Keep at it. It sounds as though it could be great."
You might also find the answer to "Names in memoirs - use
real or fictitious?" of interest. Click
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memoirs with a dream sequence. How do I continue please?
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