Skip to main content

Time to Remember, Focus on Writing

 


 

 

November is a time to remember. On Nov. 1, we remember the saints. On Nov. 2, we remember those who have gone before us. On Veterans Day, we remember those who serve our country and those served many years ago. We remember the wars that are represented by Veterans Day, which used to be Armistice Day and still is in Europe. That was the day World War I ended. On Thanksgiving, we remember to thank God for our blessings. We remember family, and we remember those who couldn't be part of our celebrations. Therefore, November is a perfect time to remember our writing and add remembrances in writing.

  1. Memoirs – Writing down events that took place in your life is called a memoir or autobiography. You can write these books to pass down your family for future generations to know what happened in your life and in the world when you were alive. You can write these books to pass on knowledge that you have that others do not. And, you can write them for yourself to remember the events, choices and actions that made you where you are today. Unless you are a famous person, you don't want to try to sell these. Publishers don't want them. Bookstores can't sell them. And, you would have a hard time selling them if you self-publish because readers don't want to read them. If you want to write a memoir, write it in a way that is relatable to others instead of just your personal stories and market it that way.

  2. Fiction – Historical fiction must include remembrances from the past. You might have to do research on these to get your facts correct for the time period you are writing. Historical fiction can be set in any genre. You could write a military novel set in WWII. You could write a romance set in 1776. You could write a spy novel set during the cold war of the 1960s. These are all types of historical fiction. Each of those time periods require different clothing, different word usage and different actions. For example, you can't talk about telephones in 1776, but you can in WWII.

  3. True Crime – By its nature, you are researching a case that happened many years ago and writing about it. You are remembering what happened and telling the story of the crime. Some crimes are famous and resolved. Others are cold cases that are unsolved. You also could write about crimes that others haven't known to bring them to light. You might be someone who wants to help the police find new clues. Often, a true crime novel will do just that.

  4. Cookbooks – Although cookbooks include recipes and some are just recipes, most are distinguishing themselves with stories. These stories usually involve the past. They are a way for the chef to remember different aspects of the world. The fun part about writing cookbooks are finding the stories that go with the food and the section.

  5. Religious Books – Writing religious books mean you have to remember the past and what God has done for his people. You can get inspiration from what happened before now whether it is the life of a saint or how the church used to be. You could quote the Bible, which is remembering how Israelites and Christians lived. You also can use the past to inspire others today with whatever they are facing.

Whatever you write, make sure you remember those who have gone before you. Write about remembrances and be a window to the past so others can remember too.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

This Earth Day, Know Environmental Myths

  I love spring . It has beautiful colors, lots of sunlight and warmer weather. Earth Day is part of spring too. Throughout my journalism career , I studied and wrote writing about the environment. Because Earth Day is coming, I thought I would share some of the myths associated with saving the environment. While I am in favor of saving our natural resources , I save the environment with balance, prayer and patience . You might not agree with me. That is fine. This country was founded on the principle that everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Here are some environmental myths. 1. Go Solar -- While it is a good idea to get solar for your home and generate renewable energy, solar power is not as simple as everyone thinks. Adding solar to your home could cost you $15,000 to $50,000 up front. There are tax credits and rebates available from the states and federal government, but those programs almost always require you to shell out the money and then get reimbursed. Also

Books to Buy During Easter

  Easter is just a few weeks away. Instead of writing about marketing or editing tips, I thought I would highlight some Christian books that you could buy for gifts. The Thief, the Harlot and the Healer tells a fictional story of strength and courage in 33 A.D. of a woman who had no rights. The main character by Mike E Clements was abducted as a young woman and forced into prostitution. She has the courage to leave the brothel and is looking for salvation, but she doesn't believe her life is worth saving despite what people tell her. The story leads the reader to Rachel kneeling before the cross and understanding how much God loves her. Words in Red: Witness for the Prosecution thinks about the people around Jesus and what they did for a living. The main character is a scribe for a leader in the Jewish religion who is trying to get evidence he can use to prosecute Jesus to death. The writer follows Jesus throughout his life and listens to His teachings. Colin Rank captures how

Stand Up for Authors' Rights; Don't Let People Change Works of Literature

  It started when libraries banned Dr. Seuss . This is violating the 14th Amendment. Now, "Sensitivity Committees" want to rewrite Roald Dahl's books to make them "sensitive" to today's audiences. How can they know what Dahl wanted his characters to be. They are his characters. Only he knows what they are thinking and doing. No one can say, "It was meant to say this." That is the first problem.  The second problem is that if "Sensitivity Committees" rewrite characters and books, they are making everyone the same. That will read quite boring. In the real world, people say negative things, do negative things, do not care about being sensitive or politically correct, and act whatever way they want. Most people know what is right and wrong. Therefore, fiction should reflect life. That is why these stories stand the test of time. They reflect life, and readers can relate because they know people like the characters. The third problem is rewri