I want to give you something to think about as you write your memoir, a true story about your cat or dog, for example, or an account of something you witnessed. While it’s not okay to fabricate to the point that some authors in the news have done recently—to write blatant lies—it is okay to ignore some of the details. In fact, I tell authors that it is sometimes okay not to tell the entire, complete truth. Many times, it’s best that you don’t.
If it is not pertinent to the story whether you used your right hand to open the door or your left, don’t mention it. Give your reader the information he needs in order to visualize the story—to help him to be a part of the story—but not so much detail that he becomes distracted by it.
Maybe, in reality, you had to cross two streets and walk around the other side of a green Honda with a dangling license plate and a child’s car seat inside to reach the dry cleaners where you picked up your linen table cloth for your intimate dinner that night. But is all of this detail necessary to the story you are telling? If not, drop it. Say, instead, that you walked around the corner to the dry cleaners and picked up the linen.
Sometimes keeping to the order of things rudely interrupts a story. Maybe it happened that John came to your door and walked right in. But it may make a better story if he hesitates at the door before knocking and reconsiders what he’s going to say. Instead of writing the true account—that Jayne called the doctor three times before she got an answer—if this isn’t important to the story, just have Jayne dial the phone and speak to the doctor.
In other words, stick to your story, of course, but don’t be so truthful that it hurts your readers.
Computers and Cats
It has been a rough morning computer-wise. I got a message that I have a nasty virus. But that turned out to be some company trying to sell me virus protection. We are running my virus protection program now just to be on the safe side. Then someone emailed me at my website saying that they could not get an email through to my yahoo address.
We certainly become complacent with our computers, don’t we? We get so accustomed to the computer following our every command—on command—that we get frustrated when there is a glitch of any kind.
Sometimes my computer reminds me of my cats. At times, it’s unpredictable, finicky and seems to have a mind of its own. The computer, like a cat, can provide such pleasure. But you never know when it will decide to turn on you. While a cat who may nibble on your favorite house plant, use your garden for a litter box, upchuck a soggy furball in the middle of the night on your route to the bathroom and shed all over your black suit, your computer sometimes freezes up, looses contact with the printer or refuses to perform a simple, much-needed function.
Speaking of cats, I received a call from my sister-in-law yesterday in Idaho telling me how much she is enjoying reading Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats. She said, “The stories just make me smile. They’re so uplifting. And I’m really getting to know more about you. I love it.”
Others, who have bought copies, are coming back and purchasing additional copies for their cat-lovin’ friends and relatives. Don’t forget that I have a Valentine’s Day special going on. I send you a dollar back for every copy of the print edition of Catscapades that you purchase before February 14, 2009. And what a lovely and sweet Valentine’s Day gift this is for anyone who adores cats and enjoys reading about them.
Order your copy at http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html
I am now taking new clients. If you need editorial help (every book manuscript needs an editor) and/or a publishing consultant, contact me at PLFry620@yahoo.com.