Writing Guide
The Legacy Project
This program is for people who want to create a collection of vignettes that, taken together, tell a story.
A vignette is a short, evocative, impressionistic, even poetic scene. It is a moment, made up of elements that combine to startle, compel, or move the reader. It has no story line and no time passes. It gets its power from the fact that there could be more to it, but it is self-contained and needs no other elements. Much as a skilled photographer may catch a moment in time and space, a vignette captures a moment in words.
Story-writing
Stories can take many shapes, each serving a purpose and suiting both story and teller. Ernest Hemingway, best known for his long and involved tales of war and adventure, is given credit for the six word story: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” That is a gem, but it is also begging for more information: what happened? who were the parents? is this the end of the story … or the beginning?
Start when you choose to start (like, NOW) and write for 12 weeks. Write through the change of seasons, the stepping back out into the world, the worry about … anything. Write a story. That is the challenge.
I signed up for Susan’s “Writing Challenge: Winter 2020-2021” on a whim, never having written anything beyond a journal and some newsletter articles. I was not highly motivated! However, Susan nudged and encouraged me into believing I had a story to tell and provided a structured approach with weekly detailed feedback that helped me to continually improve my writing style and held me accountable. I strongly recommend Susan’s writing program. –Barb G.
NOT SURE YET?
Do you have a story to tell but don’t think you are a writer? Do you love to write – or want to write – but don’t think you have a story? Give me a chance to prove you wrong. In a phone or Zoom call let me invite you on the writer’s journey.
Looking for help right now?
You can go on a journey from blocked to liberated. This workbook will get you started.
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As an author myself, I can relate to the struggle of completing your story. I share this experience in order to help others find their inner story and journey with them as they bring their story to life.
SEEKING QUAN AM
A DUAL MEMOIR OF WAR AND VIETNAM
by Susan R. Dixon and Mark M. Smith