via How Blogging About My Family Led to My Memoir by Marian Beaman — Memoir Writer’s Journey
How Blogging About My Family Led to My Memoir by Marian Beaman — Memoir Writer’s Journey
by Stockton Eller | Jul 17, 2019 | blog, Coming of Age, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Tips, Uncategorized | 39 comments
Originally posted by Kathleen Pooler on Monday, July 15: It gives me great pleasure to welcome my good friend and writing colleague Marian Beaman back to Memoir Writer’s Journey with a guest post on how blogging about her family led to writing her memoir. If you follow Marian’s blog, you already know what a treasure trove of…
What a fantastic feature, Marian! I’m so excited for you and I can’t wait to read your memoir. Congratulations to you!
Thank you, Jill! Next week I’ll have an update on my progress. Let’s just say my 5-year pregnancy is coming to an end. And know you are busy with bringing to life “A Mother for His Twins” very soon. In fact, I believe I saw you holding a pre-pub copy!
Enjoy all your posts, Marians! Thank you. Keep ’em coming………..
It’ so nice to know you are on the other side of the screen, Jack. Next week you’ll see me holding a “real” book. Thanks for following me on this journey, Jack. More to come!
I left a comment on Kathleen Pooler’s blog, but it disappeared which often happens to me on some blogs now. Anyhoo, congrats and good job and I agree about your blogging advice.
Hi, Ally! Kathy has to moderate the comment before it displays. It should show up soon. Thanks for letting me know – and for commenting of course! 😊
You are Showing Up NOW – woo hoo!
Yes! Thanks for letting me know. Sometimes these commenting systems get the best of me.
By the way, my very handsome web guy is showing up here, but it’s me/I. Glad you are all set here!
Well, you know I wondered who was talking to me, but I’m a sociable blogger so I went along with it. He seemed to have my best interest at heart.
He’s a cool guy with “administrator” privileges. I guess he started “talking” when I flipped Kathy’s blog onto mine. He He! 🙂
Sending a massive cheer to you, some day I would love to follow in your footsteps on this. Thanks for leading the way 🙂
Hello, Wren. Welcome here! I just visited your blog and left a comment. About publishing: It’s baby steps all the way. If you don’t stop, you WILL get there! Next week I’m posting about the end of my 5-year (book) pregnancy. Ha!
Yay! I commented on your guest post, but not sure if it came through. So glad to see how your blog led to your book. I forgot to answer your question though. Blogging has helped me to talk about writing in an imaginative way, which has been helpful in all areas of my writing (if that mkes sense).
You are the poster woman on imaginative. And you have “live” memes, cute little dolls to help you tell your stories. You’re unique in that way.
Kathy has to moderate the comment before it shows up. You’ll see it soon, I believe!
Thank you, Marian, and congratulations. This is so encouraging. I’m starting to organize my blog posts for a memoir now.
Thank you! I’m glad you feel encouraged, Elfrieda.
You have a WONDERFUL story to tell: struggle with lots of love and persistence at the core. I say that because of what I’ve learned about your family through your blog over the years. 🙂
Loved seeing you and your book in the spotlight Marian. I am looking forward to reading to say the least! Love your cover – and those shoes, too precious. 🙂 x
My softbound copy arrived yesterday, and I placed an order for Advance Reader Copies. You’ll get one of them, I’m hoping before the end of July. Shipping estimates are sometimes a little sketchy.
You’ve been at this point several times with your books: the zone between final proofing, publishing and then marketing. Exciting, but scary too. Thanks for your support all the way through, Debby! 🙂
Oooh, so happy for you Marian. I will never forget the first time I held my first paperback! And I’d be honored to read and review for you. 🙂
This morning I got a shipping notice, so as soon as the books land at my address, I’ll whisk one on to yours. Massive thanks, (as the Brits say)! 😀
Lol, your excitement exudes through the screen. 🙂
Well, then I guess, I hit the mark. Huge thanks, Debby! 😀
<3
Hopping over there now! 🙂
You’re the best, Thanks, Liesbet!
I didn’t quite realize your memoir has been 5 years in the making. Daunting. You are almost there! I hope my advance reader copy comes before we leave on vacation because it will surely be a great read in its final form. It should reach me. But whenever, I’m anxious to pick up those shiny red shoes!
Good morning, Melodie. Just now I received confirmation that my ARC order has shipped. My first copy (received this week) was a long time coming, but since the files are set up with the printer now, things should move along faster. Rest assured that as soon as the shipment arrives, I’ll be getting the books in the mail. We have the mailers addressed and one of them is going to you. I can’t promise that it will arrive before you leave on vacation, but I’ll do my best.
I’m into marketing big time and plotting contacts/events on a big desk pad. At your suggestion, I have contacted Mennonite World Review. We’ll see what happens! Thank you for your constant presence in this space and for mentoring me on this long, long journey! 🙂
Writing a memoir can be a long, daunting process. I’m so happy you’re almost at the end. Then the sharing begins and I know it will be a great story. I’m so looking forward to reading it!
An envelope is ready with your name on it. I’m waiting (with bated breath) for the ARC shipment.
Just now I’m thinking of a quote that meshes with your comment about memoir writing as daunting: “Writing a book is a long, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven by some demon one can neither resist nor understand.” ~ George Orwell
Thanks for the cheers, Joan!
I just read your post on Kathy’s blog and wrote a LONG comment. I hope to heavens it shows up. Sometime heaven gives me a bit of a hard time with technology. It’s a GREAT post, Marian. Oh, I just read your reply to Ally, above. Hopefully that will happen with my comment too. I had a great laugh over your picture up there, though. 🙂
What an amazing journey you have been on . I love the way ‘things’ develop in to ‘things ‘ almost to the point of magic. Over the years you have made a great discovery Marian… ‘YOU ‘
Since I have been reading your blog, I have made a great discovery too , there are kind , sweet and adorable people out there , and you are most definitely one of the . I wish you all the luck in the world . I can’t wait to read your book 😊🌻🌻
Cherryx
You know how to pull on my heart-strings, Cherry. And you hit the nail on the head with more than one point. One discovery memoir writers make is finding out about ourselves, the YOU you refer to. That definitely happened to me: My life does make a little more sense now that I put events in some order.
Another joyful discovery: To quote one of my favorites: “There are kind, sweet and adorable people out there, and YOU, Cherry, are most definitely one of the them!” Thank you for cheering me all along the way. 🙂
You’ll get more details about my book release next Wednesday, including dates! Stay tuned, dear friend! oxo
Marian — I am sooooooo looking forward to getting my hands on, and diving into the pages of your memoir!
ARCs should arrive next Thursday. I already have an envelope with your address on it: Shipping from FL to ID very, very soon! (Squeal!)
I can’t wait. Wow! On Thursday. It’s happening. It happened and was already printed. I’m glad for you and proud to call you my friend–for tea and kindness when deafness felt isolating and for constant inspiration from your stories, inspiration, and spiritual and practical wisdom. Thank you, Marian.
As it happens, I’m drinking lime-infused black tea and chatting with my friend Elaine. You have a great heart, expanded by deep sorrow and deep joy. You have taken me on a journey deep into your experience with your family, your discoveries in many realms.
Thank you and you’re welcome, both fit here, dear friend. 🙂
Oh, how wonderful!
Thank you for noticing . . . and for following my path toward publishing!