[Stylist] RE Stylist: Intro and other questions

Thu Aug 2 13:47:46 UTC 2018

Ashley,

Hello. I'm a creative nonfiction writer getting my master's of fine arts in
writing. I actually graduate this coming January.

So, autobiographies and memoirs tend to be interchangeable to most, but,
there are some distinctions.

Autobios tend to be about an entire life. Point A to point C sort of
material. Not always, but, often, they tend to be linear in story, and
crafting is not always a part of autobios. Its not always told with a
narrative flow.

Memoirs tend to be about one specific moment in a life. Very often, not told
in a linear fashion and the writer uses more craft to tell the narrative. It
has a narrative flow, usually employing literary techniques. Memoirs usually
have a universal scope, meaning it deals with a subject, expanding outside
the writers immediate life/experience. For example, I wrote an essay about
my self-esteem, grappling with how blindness has changed my physical
appearance due to atrophy of the eyes, but, I expand outside my personal
story to discuss body image in our culture. Whereas an autobio typically
sticks to a writer's life only.

A lot of celebrities are writing autobios these days. Some are better than
others. But, in general, they tend to follow more of an autobio format than
a memoir, but, often, they are promoted as memoirs.

But, memoir and autobio also share a lot. For categorization reasons, the
terms are usually interchangeable.

Some autobio/memoirs I recommend:
Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi
Female Warrior: My Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston
The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch
The Truth Book by Joy Castro
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
The Art of Memoir, The Liar's Club, Cherry, Lit by Mary Karr

It's totally fine to use real names, but, it depends on the situation and
person. If you're uncomfortable using real names, then you can change them.
If someone you're writing about request a pen name, then definitely give
them one. But, it's ultimately up to you. I use real names, although, a
recent publication accepted an essay of mine, and it does not want real
names used other than mine. I've never seen this before, but, apparently
it's possible for a publication to make this request too.

Hope this helps.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: Stylist <stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of bflyblue13 via
Stylist
Sent: Wednesday, August 1, 2018 10:50 PM
To: mktay at ucla.edu; Writers' Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Cc: bflyblue13 <bflyblue13 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Stylist] RE Stylist: Intro and other questions

Hi all, I am new to the list but have been reading posts.
I was curious of the difference between auto biographies, and memoirs.
Also what are the do's and don'ts about mentioning people by first name in
your life?

Thanks,

Ashley

-----Original Message----- 
From: M. Taylor via Stylist
Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2018 10:06 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Cc: M. Taylor
Subject: Re: [Stylist] RE Stylist: Good Reads Question

Hello David,

Thank you for your thoughtful reply.

I claimed my author page, last week; and was just wondering who, from this 
group, is also using the GoodReads service.

Congratulations on publishing your autobiography.  What an accomplishment.

As for me, I write under the pen name of Mark Marcus.  My two books are 
That's The Way Love Goes, published in 2011 and, The Dream Factory, 
published in 2012.  Both of these titles are available on Amazon, Kindle, 
iBooks, Barns & Noble, etc.

I will search for you on GoodReads and ad your titles to my list of books to

read.

I absolutely love GoodReads.  I have read and shelved over 300 books since 
creating my user account.  The GoodReads iOS app is completely VoiceOver 
accessible and it was that app that originally placed me on the path that I 
am now discovering.

A couple of weeks ago, out of the blue, it occurred to me that GoodReads 
would be the perfect place to promote my work.  So, I claimed my author 
page, Mark Marcus, and am exploring all of my new options.

As far as I can tell, GoodReads is a great place to promote one's work.

Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: David Russell [mailto:david.sonofhashem at gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 31, 2018 11:34 AM
To: mktay at ucla.edu
Subject: RE Stylist: Good Reads Question

Hello Mark Taylor:

Yes, I have in the past claimed my author page at GoodReads. It is 
relatively easy to do if you just fill in the appropriate fields.

Or, that was the case about a year ago when doing so. I need to update as I 
am on the verge of publishing my autobio sketch in a couple months. Promote,

promote, promote you know.

The author page offers helpful hints on what to write in terms of interview 
answers to suggested questions there.
You can select which questions to answer. Be patient as you familiarize 
yourself with the process.

Best,

--
David Russell

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