Memoir Lessons for Children

Lesson Planet, an online resource for teachers, has creative lessons and comprehensive lesson plans for teachers and their students. Take a look!

http://www.lessonplanet.com/search?gclid=CJ3Sjdn0gqQCFQMBbAod4zvjHg&keywords=Memoirs&media=lesson&rating=4

Wordstock brings "Mortified" to the Bagdad October 8th

As you know, Wordstock is all about stories, and this year, as we started to think of a way to showcase personal stories and histories, we were drawn very quickly to the bright flame that is Mortified. For the uninitiated, Mortified is a live performance that features everyday people reading aloud their most embarrassing, pathetic, and private teenage diary entries, poems, love letters, lyrics, locker notes -- you get the idea. In the words of one recent performer here in Portland, "It's hilarious and oddly cathartic." Trust us, you don't want to miss this one! It's Thursday, October 8, at McMenamins Bagdad Theater in Portland. Mortified founder Dave Nadelberg will be flying up from LA to join us for this special event, at which he'll be interviewing a special guest in the middle of the show -- a special guest we'll be announcing very soon...

Review of Jeanette Walls Glass Castle- From Galley Cat

Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.


Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story.

Defense Dept. Buying 10,000 Copies of CIA Officer's Memoir

According to "a senior Pentagon official," the Defense Department hopes to buy the entire 10,000 copy print run of Operation Dark Heart by Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer.


Published by St. Martin's Press, the upcoming memoir recounts Shaffer's work as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan. As you can see by the screen shot embedded, the book's official website currently reads: "Our estimated launch date is September 30, 2010 ... Current status: Waiting on the man."

Here's more from the Washington Post: "The official said the Defense Department 'sent up a team to talk with the publisher some time ago,' and has been negotiating an agreement that might allow the Pentagon to purchase already printed copies of the book and permit a subsequent version to go forward as long as it complies with U.S. government requests ... Both sides now appear to have agreed on the contents of the second printing, but negotiations are focused on what to with the 10,000 copies already published." (Via Ron Charles)

Eastside Memoir Group starting up

Come join experienced writers with your project whether for family or publishing.  We will meet twice each month for editing and support.

Call Lisa with questions; 503-317-6793 

Suggested Memoirs

The Liar's Club                                     Mary Karr
Running with Scissors                            Augesten Burroughs
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress          Rhoda Jansen
Stolen Innocense                                   Elissa Wall
Pursuit of Happyness                            Chris Gardner
Breaking Night                                      Liz Murray

Blackbird, although this book is known to contain some factual errors 

A Free Resource for Writers

Portland Writers is a free service to help local writers connect with readers. You are welcome to post your writing, feedback to writers about their writing, information about local events and resources for writers, and discussion about this website.
 
http://portlandwriters.com/