The Pyrenees---Southern France

The Pyrenees---Southern France

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Mary's Comin'

        Okay, I certainly am not on a first-name basis with Mary Karr. But I thought, 'Perhaps my few followers will read on, intrigued, wondering who Mary is.'

     But Mary Karr is coming to St. Louis this week. Thursday night she will be giving a talk at the St. Louis County Library Headquarters. The doors open at 6, but people start lining up early to ensure a spot.

      Her first two memoirs, The Liars Club and Cherry covered her childhood and her teenage years. Lit is my favorite--it covers her unraveling as an alcoholic and a mother... and her finding her way back.





        I've spent years savoring and reveling in memoirs. Make Me Into Zeus' Daughter. All Over But the Shoutin'. Stolen Lives. These are books that sit on a sacred spot on my shelves. But I also have favorite books on the art of writing.

        On Writing by Stephen King. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. Now Mary Karr has come out with a book on writing memoir.





          I've written a memoir that is thinly disguised as a novel. (The manuscript is with an editor who is probably trying to figure out a way to disguise her lack of interest in it.) Writing gives me great joy. Memoir is how I untangle my life. And writing about the writing of memoir?

          That's just gravy.

          In case you can't make it, or in case you'd like a double helping of Mary Karr, here is a link to a conversation with her. (It's short. A little over 10 minutes long.)




       What is YOUR favorite memoir? Have you written memoir pieces before? Do you have any advice for those who might be just dipping their toes into memoir writing?

12 comments:

  1. No advice. That's all I write. A couple of favorites are The Glass House (Jeannette Walls) and Angela's Ashes (Frank McCourt). I read The Liars Club a long time ago. I have Lit in my waiting stack. I'll have to get The Art of Memoir and add it to my stack!

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  2. Oh--Jeanette Walls. She's one of my favorites as well.

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  3. aNOTHER MISS FOR ME. bUT YOU WILL REPORT i KNOW. aLSO WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUR WRITING GROUP WHENEVER. favorite MEMOIR...ANY BY l'ENGLE

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    1. Claudia--I have not read anything by her. Ever. I guess I'm missing out?

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  4. Thanks for posting this, Sioux. I plan to attend if the gully washer doesn't flood us out of standing in line. Jeannette Walls and Frank McCourt are also my favorites.

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    1. Linda--I will save you a seat if I get there earlier than you.

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    2. Ugh...just lost my comment!

      Yes, liked The Liar's Club quite a bit, and Angela's Ashes, too. I don't read a lot of memoirs but I always like reading memoirs from people I know. I liked Becky P's From Pig Tails to Chin Hairs and another friend, Jeannie Davide-Rivera's Twirling Naked in the Middle of the Street and No one Noticed. (It's about autism and it's fascinating!)

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    3. Cathy--I'll have to check out "Twirling Naked" (what a great title) since I usually have at least one student with autism every year.

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  5. Like Cathy, I don't usually read memoirs unless I know the author. But maybe I'll look these up. I recognize the titles, but not the author's name...but I will now. :)

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    1. Lisa--I love memoir like you love romance, so they might not be your cup of tea...

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  6. I'd like to go but probably won't make it. :-(

    Pat

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    1. Pat--It was really good. Marcia Gaye sat right behind me.

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