August 5, 2009: Novelographies, Or Thinly Veiled Memoir, open chat 2
The transcript below covers the complete #litchat conversation on August 5, 2009. The order appears sequentially from the first post to the final post. Topic was open discussion: Novelography, Or Thinly Veiled Memoir.
| LitChat Join us for #litchat today. We’re talking about NOVELOGRAPHIES AND THINLY VEILED MEMOIR. We start in 5 minutes! 4-5 p/et -12:54 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana @LitChat That pesky twitterbird is back. Is there some way to turn it off? It was following me, but no longer. #litchat -12:55 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| imlostinbooks RT @LitChat: Join us for #litchat today. We’re talking about NOVELOGRAPHIES AND THINLY VEILED MEMOIR. We start in 5 minutes! 4-5 p/et -12:55 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat If you have questions for the chat, please send them to @litchat w/out the hashtag. I will post to group. Thanks! #litchat -12:55 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana Am temporarily abandoning #arw for #litchat for next hour or so. Anyone else jumping over? -12:56 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Anne_Frasier RT: @LitChat Join us for #litchat today. We’re talking about NOVELOGRAPHIES AND THINLY VEILED MEMOIR. We start in 5 minutes! 4-5 p/et -12:56 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| identitytheory RT @LitChat Join us for #litchat today. We’re talking about NOVELOGRAPHIES AND THINLY VEILED MEMOIR. We start in 5 minutes! 4-5 p/et -12:57 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat RT: @LitChat Join us for #litchat today. We’re talking about NOVELOGRAPHIES AND THINLY VEILED MEMOIR. We ‘re starting now! 4-5 p/et -1:00 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner I’m with you. RT @maggiedana: Am temporarily abandoning #arw for #litchat for next hour or so. Anyone else jumping over? -1:02 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Thanks for joining us–what is #arw that you are abandoning? You can follow two (or more) chats in TweetGrid. #litchat -1:05 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana Either we’re a small group or Twitter’s going slow again. #litchat -1:06 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat LitChat is coming to you today from easy, breezy San Diego–right on the Big Bay. Step on over and introduce yourself. #litchat -1:06 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana @LitChat askromancewriter … and I’m way too stupid to have 2 convos going on at once. #litchat -1:06 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| herstorian Maybe people are waiting to start. RT @maggiedana: Either we’re a small group or Twitter’s going slow again. #litchat -1:07 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner @LitChat It has been an all day chat! I really LOVE the hour you give us. KISS! #litchat -1:07 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow Participating in #LitChat from NW Ohio, where it’s also easy and breezy–but I wouldn’t mind being in San Diego! -1:07 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat @maggiedana I just opened #litchat in another medium, to check if I was missing a bunch of tweets. You’re right – quiet. -1:08 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner SO not true! It is overload RT @maggiedana: @LitChat askromancewriter … and I’m way too stupid to have 2 convos going on at once. #litchat -1:08 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat So! “Thinly Veiled Memoir.” This comes, I imagine, from earlier discussions about the diff. between fiction and non? #litchat -1:09 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner @maggiedana I think it is slow again. #litchat -1:09 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana <— women’s fiction and children’s author & witless person. Debut novel, Beachcombing (Macmillan, UK, June 09) http://bit.ly/mgqzP #litchat -1:09 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mmj5170 Is “thinly veiled memoir” a bad thing? #litchat -1:10 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| herstorian Okay. I write memoir and am v. interested in the line btw fiction and non-fic. RT @LitChat: Step on over and introduce yourself. #litchat -1:10 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat We may have hashed the topic of fact and fiction, thinly veiled and fictional memoir and the like. Now let’s discuss some books. #litchat -1:10 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Joe_Wallace Always! RT @KarenWeinreb: Room for me at the table? #litchat -1:11 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @LitChat Hello, I’m Rebecca Cantrell, author of A TRACE OF SMOKE. I’m new. I just replied to litchat. Is that how this works? #litchat -1:11 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner #litchat I write Inspirational, women’s , mystery and with some romance thrown in. @LitChat: Step on over and introduce yourself. -1:12 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven Hello #litchat! I’m here now, too! -1:12 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat Of course I can’t think of a single book now. But I know I’ve read some “novels” and thought, “That *has* to be autobiographical!” #litchat -1:12 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner You got it. Welcome! RT @rebeccacantrell: I just replied to litchat. Is that how this works? #litchat -1:12 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana Somebody, please KILL the bird! #litchat -1:13 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat @KarenWeinreb Pull up a stool and join us. We’re really excited about having you as the main dish on Friday. #litchat -1:13 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| herstorian No, just a choice of genre, IMO. What fits the story and the writer. RT @mmj5170: Is “thinly veiled memoir” a bad thing? #litchat -1:13 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @rebeccacantrell Yes, Rebecca! I’m Jeremy Duns, author of the Cold War spy thriller FREE AGENT, reporting to #litchat -1:13 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat Oh I know! If any of you are family with Frank Schaeffer’s book, “Portofino,” that’s definitely “thinly veiled memoir.” #litchat -1:13 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| imlostinbooks #litchat I wanted to join in on the discussion and got totally sidetracked. What did I miss? -1:13 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| foliosociety RT @LitChat: LitChat is coming to you today from easy, breezy San Diego–right on the Big Bay. Step on over and introduce yourself. #litchat -1:13 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven Are we only talking about memoir? Or are we talking about novels that read like memoirs, too? Just want to be clear. Thanks! #litchat -1:13 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Wish I could. Can @litchat block them? RT @maggiedana: Somebody, please KILL the bird! #litchat -1:14 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Let’s discuss some novels we know are autobiographical to some extent. Who wants to begin? #litchat -1:14 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner AAHHH, The bird is after me! #litchat -1:14 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| nolabill @LitChat Bill Loehfelm here. Author of the novels FRESH KILLS and BLOODROOT (out 9-3), both from Putnam #litchat -1:14 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana @LitChat Can you block the bird? #litchat -1:14 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven Oh, I do! Just finished writing a review of one: MORTAL FRIENDS by Jane Stanton Hitchcock #litchat -1:14 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jillinski Hello #litchat, are we still talking about “thinly veiled memoir” or on to something new? -1:15 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana Maybe if EVERYONE blocks the bird, it’ll fly away. #litchat -1:15 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner We were just introducing RT @imlostinbooks: #litchat I wanted to join in on the discussion and got totally sidetracked. What did I miss? -1:15 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @jeremyduns I just replied to you, but should I reply to #litchat? Sorry to be so dense. -1:15 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat Yes, that bird is beyond annoying. #litchat -1:15 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns #litchat I’m slightly mystified about the game of trying to find out how autobiographical a novel is. Why do we care again? -1:16 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat @thebookmaven We’re actually talking about novelographies–autobiographical fiction. Know any? #litchat -1:16 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana @rebeccacantrell Recommend using TweetChat. It puts the hashtag in for you. http://www.tweetchat.com #litchat -1:16 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns #litchat Read an article on Sebastian Faulks’ forthcoming to this effect. -1:16 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat @thebookmaven Do you have a link for your MORTAL FRIENDS review? #litchat -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| imlostinbooks #litchat I read recently there was a whole big thing about Ishmale Beah’s memoir not being accurate as far as the dates. Is that a big deal -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| susanmpls I’m here #litchat! I’m a univ press publisher; formerly in marketing, now in operations–which includes digi publishing. -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @LitChat A Million Little Pieces springs to mind. 🙂 Actually, I thought it was really well written, if misprepesented at true. #litchat -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| nolabill @herstorian “thinly veiled memoir” is OK, I guess, if the writing’s good. The problem is “thinly veiled high school diary entries.” #litchat -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Make sure u include #litchat RT @rebeccacantrell: @jeremyduns I just replied to you, but should I reply to #litchat? Sorry to be so dense. -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @jeremyduns I think we care mostly to think about when a novel should be a memoir and vice versa…not just for prurient purposes. #litchat -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jillinski What bird? And I’m with @jeremyduns, why are we interested in the amount of autobiography in a novel? #litchat -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog hi litchatters! #litchat -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @rebeccacantrell I don’t see any reply but this. Add #litchat to appear to everyone following that stream. Click on it to follow. 🙂 -1:17 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| DaveBartlett1 @maggiedana @rebeccacantrell #litchat There’s also an option you can set in Tweetdeck to automatically add the hashtag on replies. -1:18 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots @LitChat How about À la recherche du temps perdu ? I’m reading through the first volume now. It’s fiction based on Proust’s life. #litchat -1:18 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @LitChat Just turned it in; it’s not live yet. But Stanton Hitchcock really uses real-life DC to great effect. #litchat -1:18 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| herstorian How about DREAMS OF MY RUSSIAN SUMMERS by Andrei Makine? It’s autobiographical fiction. I’m part way through it. Very good! #litchat -1:18 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner @imlostinbooks #litchat If you are a historian it is a HUGE deal. -1:18 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @imlostinbooks I heard the same thing. I think that Amnesty Intl said that the killing of some of their workers never happened. #litchat -1:18 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Share please RT @DaveBartlett1: #litchat There’s also an option you can set in Tweetdeck to automatically add the hashtag on replies. -1:18 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @DaveBartlett1 I think that’s on for me. Thanks! I will try to figure out TweetChat too. Sounds like it might be easier. #litchat -1:19 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @thebookmaven Some of us. I think there’s a lot of how much is famous writer’s novel about his agent or her ex-lover stuff #litchat -1:19 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| lillygustavus @LitChat ‘Shantaram’ by Gregory Roberts is one, awesome book whether it’s fiction or not #litchat -1:19 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| imlostinbooks @AndreaGardner #litchat Ok I can see that. I guess I am more interested in the social/emotional part of the story. -1:19 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @litchat I think most novelists use real life well but some memoirists play fast & loose with facts. OK, let arguments commence… #litchat -1:19 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog what about something like Burroughs’s Naked Lunch? Even he wasn’t sure what was fact and what was fiction. #litchat -1:19 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @jeremyduns Some of us is right…alas… #litchat -1:19 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| heidenkind I’m suspicious of memoirs that market as fiction. What’s true and what isn’t? #litchat -1:20 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jillinski @thebookmaven Hmmm…it’s a marketing issue then? Are we judging the quality of the writing or the facts of a life? #litchat -1:20 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow In some sense all fiction is derived from life experience, so where is the line? #litchat -1:20 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| heidenkind I heard about a graphic novel marketed as fiction but is actually a memoir on GMA. Sounded like it might be interesting. #litchat -1:21 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @jillinski @litchat Hope I didn’t throw a wrench in the discussion works. For novels, NOT judging facts. But for memoirs, hmmmm… #litchat -1:21 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat RT @heidenkind: I’m suspicious of memoirs that market as fiction. What’s true and what isn’t? #litchat I’d be more suspicious of the reverse -1:21 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| imlostinbooks #litchat What are the “rules”, if any, for publishers to investigate a story for accuracy before publishing as a memoir? -1:21 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell I think that we do process information differently if we think its “true,” whether we like it or not. #litchat -1:21 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| karenrivers I can’t believe that all “memoirs” are actually fact (verbatim conversations?) because NO ONE has that kind of memory. Er, do they? #litchat -1:22 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @litchat Did you already define the term “novelography” somewhere? #litchat -1:22 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| stefaniecpeters The recent New Yorker article about Little House ( http://bit.ly/12loOu) mentions Rose Wilder Lane’s fiction based on mom’s life. #litchat -1:22 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns Agree. RT @rebeccacantrell I think that we do process information differently if we think its “true,” whether we like it or not. #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Doublelattemama @maggiedana once a work is fictionalized to the pt that it isn’t nonfiction is it anything besides a “novel”, in terms of category? #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Agreed RT @rebeccacantrell: I think that we do process information differently if we think its “true,” whether we like it or not. #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| heidenkind @thebookmaven Actually, I agree. #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| nolabill RE: novelographies: Marketing is a whole other discussion. It’s never right to sell something as something it’s not. #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow Agree. RT @rebeccacantrell I think we process information differently if we think its “true,” whether we like it or not. #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog depends on what u read 4 RT @jillinski it’s a marketing issue then? R we judging the quality of writing or the facts of a life? #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @karenrivers I’ve always pondered that, about people who write memoirs and “facts.” Maybe we need to redefine our parameters? #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| imlostinbooks #litchat @karenrivers This is true. Especially in situations such as war or abuse where you wouldn’t write it down as you go. -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots @karenrivers I find the lengthy conversations in memoirs distracting because they do strike me as fiction. #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell I in my historical fiction I’m very careful to note what’s real and what’s not. The real stuff is what people ask about most. #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @rebeccacantrell Agree as well #litchat -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| susanmpls #litchat @thebookmaven my prob w/ the memoirists who play fast and loose is the “loosest” parts are often the marketing hooks: false advert -1:23 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| nolabill My last post was so awesomely writed. Can you tell I iz a writer? Geez Louise. #litchat -1:24 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Did we kill the bird? #litchat -1:24 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jillinski @thebookmaven @litchat I submit that the very word “memoir” implies something more literary than an “autobiography. #litchat -1:24 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| herstorian @thebookmaven: As a memoirist, I agree. Memoirs should be true as much as possible, and the writer should state alterations. #litchat -1:24 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog Do you think that Lauren Conrad’s (from the Hills) book would sell better if the names weren’t changed & was called memoir? #litchat -1:24 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick Hi #litchat! @RachelResnick here. I confess, I’ve written one close-to-the-bone novel, & one memoir, LOVE JUNKIE, that’s minus a veil. -1:25 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven I really need separate Twitter account for discussions so regular followers don’t have to read chat blather. Will work on that. #litchat -1:25 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| karenrivers Isn’t it true that we always remember things slightly differently than was “true” to begin with? Facts are a bit slippery, no? #litchat -1:25 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots @herstorian I like it when a memoir will note gaps in memories. #litchat -1:25 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| DaveBartlett1 #litchat Fiction: I can discover a despicable character & love author for it. Autobiographies: same thing can make me hate the author. -1:25 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| herstorian Agreed. @rebeccacantrell: I think that we do process information differently if we think its “true,” whether we like it or not. #litchat -1:25 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana Ssshhhhh. RT @AndreaGardner: Did we kill the bird? #litchat -1:25 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner RT @herstorian: As a memoirist, I agree. Memoirs should be true as much as possible, and the writer should state alterations. #litchat -1:26 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jillinski @thebookmaven @litchat And that the literary, poetic expectation of a “memoir” pushes it to territory beyond strictly “factual.” #litchat -1:26 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Doublelattemama @mindywithrow i’ve been trying 2 get a handle on that 2-its relevant 4 what i’m working on-seems if u ask 10 ppl, u get 12 answers #litchat -1:26 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| imlostinbooks @bibliofreakblog #litchat I feel that The Hills is a bunch of BS anyways but that’s just my opinion. -1:26 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @karenrivers right! how can you remember someone’s exact dialogue? #litchat -1:26 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @karenrivers SO true, and why memoirs are such slippery beasts. So hard to write a coherent memoir narrative. #litchat -1:26 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Yup! RT @thebookmaven: I really need separate Twitter account for discussions so regular followers don’t have to read chat blather. #litchat -1:27 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @lillygustavus more than just dope! #litchat -1:27 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow Me too! @DaveBartlett1 #litchat -1:27 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @imlostinbooks can’t say I’ve ever seen it. just heard about her book recently. #litchat -1:27 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick Was painstakingly honest w/my memoir. Last min. lawyer stepped in & pointed out spots I’d need to fictionalize to avoid lawsuits. #litchat -1:27 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AmbieAm @LitChat Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar” and James Baldwin’s “Go Tell it on the Mountain” are my favorite. #litchat -1:27 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @rebeccacantrell Good point. One advantage of historical fiction is it can’t be directly autobiographical! Though people still ask. #litchat -1:28 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| danish_novelist @LitChat I always thought that Harry Potter was autobiographical. From now on I won’t even believe in Santa Claus any more #litchat -1:28 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Karen_Palmer @bibliofreakblog Hard to remember exact dialogue. But if you tried to do a memoir w/out dialogue it would be pretty boring. #litchat -1:28 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick Trick was to maintain honest essence of interactions, scenes. Just help preserve people’s privacy. However, felt ironic! #litchat -1:28 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @rachelresnick Which spots? 🙂 #litchat -1:28 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @imlostinbooks supposedly her book shows just how much bs it is–thinly veiled, of course. #litchat -1:28 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Karen_Palmer @rachelresnick Not to be nosy, Rachel, but what kinds of things was the lawyer worried about? #litchat -1:28 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| imlostinbooks @bibliofreakblog #litchat Yeah, I think the show is even more staged than other “reality” type shows -1:29 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| karenrivers So is a memoir is true in that the writer remembers it that way, even if it’s not actual fact in memories of others involved? #litchat -1:29 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @imlostinbooks but maybe people wanted to see that it’s bs, so she went and embellished that and that’s why she chose fiction. #litchat -1:29 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| imlostinbooks #litchat What does “thinly veiled” mean anyway? Did I miss that? -1:29 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @bibliofreakblog And think how boring it would be if you COULD remember the exact dialogue and reported it? Filtering has to occur. #litchat -1:30 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots @Karen_Palmer A dialogue heavy memoir stinks of fiction. #litchat -1:30 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick Brilliant memoirist @samanthadunn helped guide me as I wrote LOVE JUNKIE. She reminded me frame was to chart an emotional journey. #litchat -1:30 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Karen_Palmer What is the obligation of a memoirist to check with others to see if the memories match up? #litchat -1:30 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| danish_novelist @jeremyduns If you believe in reincarnation historical fiction CAN be autobiographical 🙂 #litchat -1:30 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Anyone? RT @jeremyduns I’m slightly mystified about game of trying to find how autobiographical a novel is. Why do we care again #litchat -1:30 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @danish_novelist lol, u sound like @rebeccawoodhead. she told me that it’s real, & that that stuff goes on all the time in the UK. #litchat -1:30 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Wow! Forgot about that part. RT @rachelresnick: need to fictionalize to avoid lawsuits. #litchat -1:30 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @jeremyduns Are you saying you are NOT a Russian mole? I am so disappointed. #litchat -1:30 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| lillygustavus @bibliofreakblog yeah, that’s true too #litchat -1:31 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| karenrivers Honestly if I write a memoir (MAYBE I WILL!)(or not), I’d call it “fiction” so my mum’s feelings wouldn’t get unnecessarily hurt. #litchat -1:31 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @rebeccacantrell a prof told my class to listen to the watergate tapes to hear how ppl really talk and to never write that way. #litchat -1:31 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow @Karen_Palmer Great question! #litchat -1:31 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick @jeremyduns Ha! It wasn’t “spots” it was more disguise certain characters so their privacy is respected & they’re not recognizable. #litchat -1:32 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana @bibliofreakblog Boy, that’s great advice from that prof. #litchat -1:32 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| stefaniecpeters @LitChat Why is it so obvious sometimes if a piece is autobiographical? Makes for awkward writing group meetings. #litchat #litchat -1:32 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns Here’s the article on Faulks: http://bit.ly/APngx Something absurd about juxtaposition of paras 18 and 19, or just me? #litchat -1:32 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Doublelattemama @mindywithrow yes – even in nonfiction it seems impossible not to have at least some “poetic license”, depending on the subject #litchat -1:32 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jillinski What is the reader expectation of memoir vs an autobio? Richness and coherence of story? Isn’t that a literary device=notreallife? #litchat -1:33 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick @karenrivers et al As I understand, memoir is ABT memory. Which has a certain plasticity. Boils down to integrity. U can tell, no? #litchat -1:33 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| lillygustavus @bibliofreakblog I’ve read somewhere about that too, not to write exactly the way people speak, it will not work #litchat -1:33 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @bibliofreakblog Also, never let yourself get taped while talking like that. 🙂 But it is very sound advice. #litchat -1:33 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| nolabill @LitChat Jeremy asks a good question. For me parts, of a novel can seem so realistic/unique I wonder about the author’s experience #litchat -1:33 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mmj5170 I never thought of my WIP as a memoir although based on my experiences. I use the word confabulation- “believe at your own risk”. #litchat -1:33 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @maggiedana better than even listening, I think he said to read the transcripts. #litchat -1:33 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @maggiedana 🙂 Although, of course, there *are* autobiographical elements. I used memories of Africa, school, and it’s first person #litchat -1:34 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| lillygustavus also that fiction has to be more believable than truth, even if outrageous thing happen in life, no one would believe it as fiction #litchat -1:34 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jillinski Wow. This feels very Tower of Babel-y to me. I can’t track convos. What am I doing wrong? Is there a better way? #litchat -1:34 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow @Doublelattemama Yes, such as narrative history, becoming a favorite genre of mine. #litchat -1:34 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Karen_Palmer RT Integrity is key. @rachelresnick Memoir is ABT memory. Which has a certain plasticity. Boils down to integrity. U can tell, no? #litchat -1:34 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| herstorian @rachelresnick: I bet that happens a lot. I want to write as truthfully a poss., then let the lawyers choose what needs to change. #litchat -1:34 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| danish_novelist Seriously, I do believe that authors writing historical fiction often write from a past life memory without knowing it #litchat -1:34 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @rebeccacantrell when I transcribe interviews, I’m always devasted by my awful speech. #litchat -1:35 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick RT @AndreaGardner May need to fictionalize/disguise some memoir aspects to avoid lawsuits, but I suggest NOT doing so until asked. #litchat -1:35 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana @jillinski Hard to follow all. Pick your battles and use TweetChat! #litchat -1:35 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns RT @bibliofreakblog a prof told my class to listen to the watergate tapes to hear how ppl really talk and to never write that way. #litchat -1:36 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @bibliofreakblog And do you edit it? (thus turning it from “pure” nonfiction to “fictionalized” nonfiction). Am really curious #litchat -1:36 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| herstorian @rachelresnick: I bet that happens a lot. I want to write as truthfully as poss., then let the lawyers choose what needs to change. #litchat -1:36 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick @AndreaGardner In other words, don’t censor. Not to start. It’ll hamstring you from seeking honesty, which is yr job in memoir. No? #litchat -1:36 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow Me too! RT @bibliofreakblog: @rebeccacantrell when I transcribe interviews, Im always devasted by my awful speech. #litchat -1:36 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog LOL @herstorian I want to write as truthfully a poss., then let the lawyers choose what needs to change. #litchat -1:36 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner True RT @RachelResnick: don’t censor. Not to start. It’ll hamstring you from seeking honesty, which is yr job in memoir. No? #litchat -1:37 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @rebeccacantrell well, I take out the “ums” and “uhs” and that sort of thing. #litchat -1:37 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| danish_novelist @AndreaGardner Thanks. What a wonderful thing to say. I’ll put that tweet on my bathroom wall. Thanks again #litchat -1:37 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| TheUMSLive RT @bibliofreakblog: @rebeccacantrell well, I take out the “ums” and “uhs” and that sort of thing. #litchat -1:38 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick RT @historian Bet that happens a lot. I want to write truthfully a poss., then let lawyers choose what needs to change. [Exactly!] #litchat -1:38 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @danish_novelist Interesting thought. I think inherited memory plays a big role too #litchat -1:38 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat @rachelresnick I think that’s good advice for fiction or non: write till it’s finished, and THEN go back & edit. #litchat -1:38 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick RT @KarenPalmer Yes, integrity. Is that a dirty word? Ha! Great guide to all this is Judith Barrington’s book WRITING THE MEMOIR. #litchat -1:39 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| danish_novelist @PennyAsh Both, definitely. Several of my novels have been based on past life experiences but never as some one “famous”. #litchat -1:40 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @AndreaGardner I think that’s exactly the crux of it: staying true to the emotion or staying true to some objective set of facts #litchat -1:40 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| karenrivers Honestly, mostly I like to “remember” myself being more pithy & less awkward than is actually “true”. I edit my life in real time. #litchat -1:40 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick RT @kashicat I think that’s good advice for fiction or non: write till it’s finished, & THEN go back & edit. [Thx. Yes, hard enuf!] #litchat -1:41 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana <– should return to old IBM Selectric. It’d stop the obsessive self-editing and revising. #litchat -1:41 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns As a journalist, I often found people would make their memories fit the best story. #litchat -1:41 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| lillygustavus IMO authors of memoirs tend to put themselves in positive light, whether inadvertently or not #litchat -1:42 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat RT @karenrivers: … I edit my life in real time. #litchat [I *love* this!] -1:42 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana RT @jeremyduns: As a journalist, I often found people would make their memories fit the best story. #litchat -1:42 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jillinski That’s it. RT @rebeccacantrell I think that’s the crux of it: stay true to the emotion or stay true to some objective set of facts #litchat -1:42 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccawoodhead @bibliofreakblog what’s real? Are you on #LitChat talking about the factual biography of the ordinary English boy, Harry Potter, again? -1:42 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| danish_novelist @PennyAsh It’s weird but I totally get the Baroque period but not the Renaissance. I KNOW the Baroque period!!! #litchat -1:42 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| karenrivers RT Yes! @rebeccacantrell I think that’s the crux of it: staying true to the emotion or staying true to some objective set of facts #litchat -1:42 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow @karenrivers More pithy & less awkward! I think that goal might be part of why I became a writer! :o) #litchat -1:43 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @karenrivers do you narrate your life in your head, too? (I do). #litchat -1:43 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| thebookmaven @jeremyduns Yes, people DO make their memories fit the story. Such a human attribute/condition. #litchat -1:43 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick RT @rebeccacantrell @rachelresnick We have to accept one person’s emotional truth might not seem right to others at the same event #litchat -1:56 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Karen_Palmer @nolabill I’ve been here, and I’m lost. Seems to be the way it works. #litchat -1:56 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant RT @rachelresnick: “The art of writing the novel [or memoir] is getting the whole thing written.” – John Gardner #litchat -1:56 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @jeremyduns So, the PR firm set the truth? Same as Leni Riefenstahl (and Goebbels of course) for the Nazis. #litchat -1:56 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @TwinkleChar I think it explains the affinity people have for certain cultures or places they’ve never been to. #litchat -1:56 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana @jeremyduns Nations w/PR firms. Fair boggles the mind, it does. Churchill would turn in grave. #litchat -1:57 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Refers 2 RT @kashicat: line in between” #litchat @AndreaGardner staying true to the emotion or staying true to some objective set of facts -1:57 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick @rebeccacantrell Definitely! Puts me in mind of antho abt female friendships, THE FRIEND WHO GOT AWAY. Two essays, back to back… #litchat -1:57 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| TwinkleChar I often best move story forward on AlphaSmart.Can only see 4 lines and about 25 char/line. Sync into laptop later. 700 hr.3AA batt. #litchat -1:57 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| DaveBartlett1 @kashicat The facility to do that as (hidden) notes is there on most good word processor packages #litchat -1:57 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow @kashicat I write on laptop, but keep a journal by hand–allows me to track ideas & inspirations. #litchat -1:57 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| danish_novelist @PennyAsh I think there are reasons why we’re attracted to certain periods. And those reasons have nothing to do with this life #litchat -1:57 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| TomYHowe Failed writer looking for another failed writer to collaborate on another failure. Optimists only please. http://tomhowe.org/blog/ #litchat -1:57 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @DaveBartlett1 I have a co-writer, we can finish each other’s thoughts. We found out later we’re related #litchat -1:58 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @jeremyduns I remember those commercials here in the US and the begging for donations #litchat -1:58 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick @rebeccacantrell Both written by friends who’d w/fatal friend falling out. Both entirely diff’t perspectives. Barely recognizable. #litchat -1:58 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| maggiedana <— needs USB port behind ear. Bypass computer. Think direct to words. #litchat -1:58 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| nolabill RE: Editing: I turn up the editor with each successive draft. The first couple are free form jams, then I start listening for songs.#litchat -1:59 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @rebeccacantrell They certainly made a difference. Reporting in the West was very one-sided. Reality was much trickier, of course. #litchat -1:59 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| TwinkleChar @PennyAsh I *had to go to England, so did for 50th b-day. 3 wks alone, York, Manchester, Thirsk … soul food. Yet *mostly Irish. #litchat -1:59 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| DaveBartlett1 @PennyAsh I’m sure it works for lots of people, related or not. I couldn’t do it though. Guess I like too much control #litchat -1:59 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @PennyAsh no doubt! Do you go through the whole Hero’s Journey, too? #litchat -1:59 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Eugenia_Kim Curses. Am I too late? #litchat -1:59 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @rachelresnick @rebeccacantrell which is why children can grow up in same family &believe they had totally different childhoods. #litchat -1:59 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jillinski @thebookmaven Using @bkpchats for #litchat is good, if it shows up. You experiment. Sounds like too much work though. (2 Twitter accounts) -1:59 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @PennyAsh Well, it was an enormous tragedy and worth donating to. But in war, no side is ever totally blameless. #litchat -2:00 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @DaveBartlett1 I think it’s one of those things that’s partly an aquired taste, some people never like it and some love it #litchat -2:01 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| pussreboots @deberryandgrant My brother and I are far enough apart in age that we practically did have separate childhoods. #litchat -2:01 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat @Eugenia_Kim Our “official” 1 hr chat is over, but you know our group. We love talking about books and writing. #litchat -2:01 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @danish_novelist @PennyAsh book I’m writing is set in the post-apocalyptic future, based on a dream i had. What’s that say bout me? #litchat -2:01 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick RT @deberryandgrant Which is why children can grow up in same family & believe they had totally different childhoods. [Indeed!] #litchat -2:01 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @jeremyduns Tricky reality! Any stressful event (like, say WAR) is hard to piece together even without an agenda. Which we all have #litchat -2:02 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat @DaveBartlett1 The thing w/the dates is it’s always there, even if para is discarded later. In word pro, it’s gone whene dited #litchat -2:02 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner As in life RT @jeremyduns: Well, it was an enormous tragedy and worth donating to. But in war, no side is ever totally blameless. #litchat -2:02 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow @deberryandgrant @rachelresnick @rebeccacantrell Great point! Sister & I sure have differing POV. #litchat -2:02 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| wiremamma @eugenia_kim – I missed #litchat today — too late, and didn’t try. Got caught up with romance writers at #arw #askromancewriter -2:02 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @jeremyduns Exactly, and too many don’t realize that. I was around 8 or 9 when I saw those ads #litchat -2:02 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat @mindywithrow I do much the same w/computer & journal. I also find some stories feel diff. done by hand, & must be written that way #litchat -2:02 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Yes, how quickly the time passes when there are so many interesting people and topics to discuss. #litchat -2:03 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @maggiedana Yes, but there’s propaganda in all wars. We had IRD, etc. #litchat -2:03 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @rebeccacantrell @pussreboots I was just trying to explain this 2 friend who couldn’t understand his sister’s reaction 2 their dad #litchat -2:03 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat @deberryandgrant Thanks for the definition. I must mull. 🙂 #litchat -2:03 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @rebeccacantrell @pussreboots The sibs are 8yrs apart. I told him they had different dads…he finally got it. #litchat -2:03 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| nolabill @maggiedana Re: Giving up Laundry: Will you explain it to my wife? #litchat -2:03 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @LitChat though i think we might have gotten a bit off topic today… 😉 #litchat -2:03 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Missed you! RT @wiremamma: @eugenia_kim – I missed #litchat today — too late, and didn’t try. -2:04 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| LitChat Be sure to come back on Friday at 4-5 p/et for guest host @KarenWeinreb, author of THE SUMMER KITCHEN. #litchat -2:04 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @bibliofreakblog Not always 🙂 I’m a very lucid dreamer, I tend to make changes as I go #litchat -2:04 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow @kashicat How interesting! Don’t think I’ve had that experience–but so far I’ve written mostly non-fic. #litchat -2:04 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| alexisgrant Can I offer a reminder about #memoirchat tonight? 8 p.m. EST, for writers of memoir. #litchat -2:04 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @bibliofreakblog Maybe you’re a visionary seeing a possible future? #litchat -2:05 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| TwinkleChar RT @alexisgrant: Can I offer a reminder about #memoirchat tonight? 8 p.m. EST, for writers of memoir. #litchat -2:05 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @bibliofreakblog It’s all about the journey, dude! #litchat -2:05 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @kashicat LOL! Mull away. IMO that’s what makes fiction “feel real” to readers. #litchat -2:05 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat @mindywithrow Hand-written stuff seems to give more time for careful thought. But typed allows more description & elaboration #litchat -2:05 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog @rebeccacantrell AMEN #litchat -2:05 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow @LitChat Thanks for another great discussion. This was my first time chatting w/ 18-month old niece on lap! #litchat -2:05 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner So true! RT @wiremamma: .@ninadixon – an author with a clean house has a housekeeper. That is all. #askromancewriter #arw < #litchat> -2:06 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mmj5170 Thank you @LitChat. #litchat -2:06 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| VictoriaMixon Beautiful fictionalized memoir: Sasha Troyan’s Angels in the Morning and The Forgotten Island. #litchat -2:06 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Karen_Palmer @mindywithrow You’re a brave woman. #litchat -2:07 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mindywithrow @kashicat I can see how that would work. Will have to experiment! #litchat -2:07 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @rebeccacantrell Yes. And the Nazis must be one of the most agenda-driven topics in literature! #litchat -2:07 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick Thanks all! Loved busting my Twitchat cherry with this merry band of prose pranksters. Great discussion. Happy scribbling! #litchat -2:08 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| deberryandgrant @maggiedana It’s the only way we’ve each ever written a novel-7 at this point. We’re sure we could do it alone, but probably won’t #litchat -2:08 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat Thanks @LitChat! #litchat -2:08 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| bibliofreakblog signing out of tweetchat 2 go back 2 tweeting w/o hashtag (btw, why does Twitter’s spell check not recognize tweetchat & hashtag?) #litchat -2:08 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| david_petry RT @VictoriaMixon Beautiful fictionalized memoir: Sasha Troyan’s Angels in the Morning and The Forgotten Island. #litchat -2:08 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| herstorian I’ll be there! RT @alexisgrant Can I offer a reminder about #memoirchat tonight? 8 p.m. EST, for writers of memoir. #litchat -2:09 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rebeccacantrell @jeremyduns Yes, the Nazis were very firm about their agenda. It’s been interesting seeing reactions to SMOKE based on agendas. #litchat -2:09 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| Karen_Palmer @rachelresnick Yr memoir has been floating in and out of my awareness for a while. Will remember to purchase now. Nice 2 meet u @ #litchat -2:09 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| kashicat Really weird experience, flipping btw. one window writing about “granite counterops” & window discussing memoirs. #litchat -2:09 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Great chat all! Thanks #litchat -2:10 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick RT @Karen_Palmer Yr memoir has been floating in and out of my awareness for a while. Will remember to purchase now. Nice 2 meet u @ #litchat -2:10 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| austen_addict @deberryandgrant @rachelresnick @rebeccacantrell Or why 7 people may believe 7 completely different things about 1 person. #litchat -2:10 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| mmj5170 RT @deberryandgrant: @maggiedana “Its the only way we’ve each ever written a novel” And they do a great job- I might add! #litchat -2:10 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| rachelresnick @Karen_Palmer Thx! Very sweet. Let me know what u think. Love yr passion for reading, ala your profile descr. Yes, great to meet @ #litchat -2:11 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @bibliofreakblog Could also just mean you have a vivid imagination too #litchat -2:11 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns One of the most interesting memoirs I’ve read is double agent Kim Philby’s: MY SILENT WAR. Very dry, but disarming. #litchat -2:12 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| jeremyduns @rebeccacantrell Regarding the gay issue, or others? No pro-Nazis, presumably! #litchat -2:12 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| PennyAsh @jeremyduns That sounds like one I’d enjoy. My personal favorite is Spydust tho it’s not billed as a memoir #litchat -2:13 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
| AndreaGardner Ok All, I must run and get dinner on. #litchat #rwa Thanks for a great time chatting. -2:14 PM Aug 5th, 2009 |
LitChat 
Comments»
No comments yet — be the first.