When I asked Patricia Wood, the guest speaker at the American Pen Women meeting today, why she has not written a memoir, she said, “My life isn’t interesting.”
What?! Here’s a woman who lives with her husband on a sailboat in Hawaii, rides horses in competitions, is a Ph.D student in special education at UH, and just happens to be the author of “Lottery,” a best selling novel which has been translated into 20 languages. Sheesh! I wish I had such a “boring” life.
She spoke for an hour about her life as a writer. Here are snippets:
“I love stories about transformation. I love stories about the impossible dream.”
“Fiction has to make sense, but true life often seems like it has been made up.”
“Lottery” went through more than 100 drafts. Because the protagonist is mentally challenged, she found herself using no contractions to slow the narrative down. The sentences were short as were the chapters.
The goal for the writer is to make the book a circle, based on a cohesive vision.
If the reader says, “That was worth reading!” — that is the ultimate compliment.
Visit her website: patriciawoodauthor.com
or her blog: pkwood.blogspot.com
September 3, 2008 at 4:04 pm |
You really got my attention when you said:
“Here’s a woman who lives with her husband on a sailboat in Hawaii, rides horses in competitions, is a Ph.D student in special education at UH, and just happens to be the author of “Lottery,” a best selling novel which has been translated into 20 languages. Sheesh! I wish I had such a “boring” life.”
This life sounds amazing to me!
September 3, 2008 at 6:17 pm |
What a lovely post. Yes my life is boring but I have done many interesting things. To me a memoir should be something that shows a person’s transformation or growth through adversity- not just be something that shows they do cool and fun things. (If that makes sense!)
I think I find it fascinating to read about an immigrant’s journey or someone who survives cancer or endures political distress in another country. As for me?
I’ll just sit here and make up stories lol!!
I truly enjoyed my time with PEN women!!
September 3, 2008 at 6:30 pm |
Wow! Mahalo for visiting my blog! I am truly honored.
September 3, 2008 at 9:21 pm |
sometimes the true stories are the most amazing
September 4, 2008 at 3:23 am |
gigi- also- some people like to experience life in private- and control what they write about. Not us, eh???
The transformation for me happens during the mundane activities.
Personal bloggers allow readers to see (or not see) the signs of transformation over a period of time. Sometimes it’s exciting, sometimes, it’s like watching grass grow.
September 4, 2008 at 5:05 am |
Liz, very well put. Actually, Patricia Wood’s blog is very interesting. She should compile some of her entries and sell them in book form.