The Power of Memoir How to Write Your Healing Story

by Myers, Linda

• ISBN13: 9780470508367
• ISBN10: 0470508361
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-01-26
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

The Power of Memoir is a pioneering how-to book that helps the reader heal long-term emotional problems by providing a new step-by-step program that teachers the reader to: Analyze both their conscious and unconscious motivation for writing the memoir: Is it about preserving memories, arguing a point of view about controversial conflicts of the past -- a marriage or parent-child relationship -- getting revenge, promulgating a religious or political point of view? Sort out the truth from lies and family myths Discover the secret stories that are the keys to healing Explore the dynamics and roles of dysfunctional families Heal old wounds, creating a better present and brighter futureGoing through these steps leaves the reader able to choose the significant milestones and turning points that make up a coherent story with a first, second, and third act, leading to some denouement and epiphany. Dr. Myers explains that it's important not to sugar-coat or avoid any obstacles, failures, losses, or dark nights of the soul in your memoir, but rather let the emerging truth of your life become visible in order to explain, define, and support who you are and where you are still going. Research has shown that such a process can not only improve but has a positive impact on chronic ailments like arthritis and asthma. And as an extra added bonus the book includes a self-directed guide to memoir tips and techniques, important questions and answers, topics that should be included, and other methods applicable for an individual writing alone or in a group.

Author Biography

Linda Joy Myers, Ph.D., is president of the National Association of Memoir Writers and a practicing psychotherapist. She is the author of Don't Call Me Mother: Breaking the Chain of Mother-Daughter Abandonment, which won the Gold Medal Award from the Bay Area Independent Publishing Association in 2007.

Table of Contents

Foreword (Kathleen Adams).

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

Part 1 Eight Steps to Writing a Healing Memoir.

Step 1 Understanding Your Reasons for Writing.

Step 2 Doing Your Research.

Step 3 Planning Your Memoir.

Step 4 The Psychology of Memoir Writing.

Step 5 The Dark Stuff.

Step 6 Organizing the Narrative Arc.

Step 7 To Publish—or Not.

Step 8 The Power of Writing to Heal.

Part 2 Spirituality, Therapy, and Stories.

Chapter 1 Spirituality, Meditation, and Inner Listening.

Chapter 2 For Therapists Who Use the Healing Power of Memoir.

Chapter 3 Stories from the Workshops.

Epilogue.

Resources.

Recommended Reading.

Reader's Guide.

Bibliography.

About the Author.

Index.