Writing Memoir in Flashes

There are many reasons for writing a memoir—from self-discovery to preservation of memories for future generations. Our guest today is Lita Kurth, who has written a book to help you create your very best story. 

IWSG Day In The Beginning

                                          

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. 

And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the November 5th posting of the IWSG are Jennifer Lane, Jenni Enzor, Renee Scattergood, Rebecca Douglass, Lynn Bradshaw, and Melissa Maygrove!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

November 5th question - When you began writing, what did you imagine your life as a writer would be like? Were you right, or has this experience presented you with some surprises along the way? 

Are you surprised that you are being asked this question? Are you surprised with your response? I bet it is so surprising. Did I lose that bet? Good thing I didn't put any money down.

Am I surprised? No. Always been the sane kinda crazy sort, so becoming a rhyming cat wasn't all that surprising. Did I really imagine anything? Not so much. Just went along for the ride. I never figured I'd be a millionaire off it. Heck, even a thousandaire. Let's pretend thousandaire is a word, even if google tries to tell us otherwise.

Think up any surprises yet? Have you had any along the way? Are you a sane kinda crazy too? Fun, isn't it?

What is Fair Use and How is it Different from Plagiarism?

First of all, why would you use someone else’s words in what you’re writing? 

Sometimes it’s to show an appreciation and admiration for what someone has written. In other cases, it might be to enhance or expand on what you’re creating.

In non-fiction, citing others lends support to your own argument. 

All reasons are admirable, but just attributing without following some RULES doesn’t get you off the hook for being accused of plagiarism.

Image by Evangelos Evangelou from Pixabay

To ensure you’re complying with Fair Use, review these guidelines.

1. Be sure you're creating something original, not just copying.

In Double Negative, my boys are nothing but trouble, so much like the characters in S.E. Hinton’s Rumble Fish, a book I’ve always loved. In a scene, when the teacher Maggie Scott is trying to show her delinquents they’re not the only bad boys in the world, and perhaps not the best at being bad, she reads from Rumble Fish. Each piece I took from Hinton’s book related in some way to the life of one of my boys. I wanted those lines to prompt them to think that they weren’t alone and that there might be some value in reading after all. 

Here’s a short example of what I used from Rumble Fish in red font. The teacher is reading, the boys are trying to ignore her: 

“The title is Rumble Fish and here’s how it starts. ‘I ran into Steve a couple of days ago.’” 

At first I pretend to follow along in the book, but then because I can remember better if I close my eyes and make pictures inside my head, I let my eyelids come down. I see the kid meeting his old friend after five years, the way things haven’t gone right for him like they have for his friend. 

“‘. . . something that brings back the reformatory . . .’”  When she says that word I look up. 

Meeker’s got his finger moving along the page like he’s really reading, and Moss leans forward, not looking at the page, but staring at Maggie Scott. The priest’s got that vacant look, like, when he told me about his mom and dad being drunks. 

“‘How long were you in for?’ he asked.’” She reads the part of the kid, Steve, with a different voice from the one she used for Rusty-James. An old woman reading two parts as if she’s those kids, as if what’s in the book is as real as what’s in this room.

NOTE: I double-checked with my publisher about my use of Hinton’s material. We took out a few lines to be on the safe side.

2. Be sure what you’re writing won't compete with the source you're copying.

This is really a money question. When you deliberately copy another’s work, intending to divert sales from that author, that’s not Fair Use.

3. Always give the author credit, but don’t think that alone gives you the right to use the work. 

Keep in mind that accreditation and Fair Use are different animals, and follow all the other rules to avoid the accusation of plagiarism. 

4. Don’t be greedy.

Here’s a Rule of Thumb for how much of someone else’s work to use:

DON’T

• quote more than a few successive paragraphs from a book or article.
• take more than one chart or diagram
• use an illustration or other artwork in a book or newsletter without the artist's permission (written is best)
• quote more than one or two lines from a poem.

There’s no exact word count that falls within Fair Use, but there is a vague guideline. For shorter work, use less. For longer, use more. But keep in mind that for fiction (poetry, plays included) there is a greater chance you will be challenged for copying. 

Personally, I love to see authors use others' work. It enhances and often deepens my appreciation for a story in almost the same way allusions do. All you have to write is "We're not in Kansas anymore," and I immediately understand those characters are in trouble.

What's your take on Fair Use?

The Insecure Writers Support Group--Overcoming Procrastination

#IWSG DAY OCTOBER 1ST, 2025

Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Sign Up And Become a Member

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting! Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post. And please be sure your avatar links back to your blog! Otherwise, when you leave a comment, people can't find you to comment back.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.

The awesome co-hosts for the October 1 posting of the IWSG are Beth Camp, Crystal Collier, and Cathrina Constantine!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional!

October 1 question - What is the most favorite thing you have written, published or not? And why?

Skipping the question for something different.

Hey Guys, 

This is Juneta. Since Ive been living in a nursing home my days ruN together despite being reminded that Wednesday Oct. 1 is  IWSG Day. Appologies, going up now==and then delayed because of computer problems. This time will be the charm.

My photo of my current coffee cup.

My other cup. I need lots of inspiration.

 

Procrastination and I are old friends—though not the kind you want hanging around when you’re trying to write. One minute you’re opening your document, the next you’re scrolling, cleaning, or suddenly deciding the.Chrome bookmarks needs alphabetizing. Sound familiar? The truth is, procrastination usually isn’t laziness—it’s fear, perfectionism, or overwhelm dressed up as “I’ll do it later.” The good news? You can push past it. Here are ten simple, practical ways (plus a bonus) to get the words flowing instead of stuck in your head.

10 Ways to Overcome Procrastination in Writing

1. Start Small – Commit to just 5–10 minutes. Momentum builds once you begin.
   
   

2. Break It Down – Big projects overwhelm; smaller steps make them doable.
   
   

3. Create a Routine – Anchor writing to a daily habit like morning coffee or bedtime wind-down.
   
   

4. Set Clear Goals – Know what you’re writing each session (scene, word count, paragraph).
   
   

5. Limit Distractions – Turn off notifications, close extra tabs, or use focus tools.
   
   

6. Time-Box Your Writing – Try Pomodoro (25 minutes writing, 5 minutes break) .(Wonderspace Pomodoro online workspace))
   
   

7. Change Your Environment – Switch locations to spark focus (library, café, or a cozy nook).
   
   

8. Accountability Helps – Join a writing group, partner with a friend, or share goals publicly.
   
   

9. Embrace Imperfection – Give yourself permission to write a messy draft—perfection comes later.
   
   

10. Practice Self-Compassion – Don’t guilt yourself; reset and try again tomorrow.
    
    

Bonus Tip: Reward Progress – Celebrate each session, no matter how small. Acknowledge the win and let that energy carry you forward.

  

Truth is I have been procrastinating a lot lately. As of a year ago, I’m living in a nursing home with three other roommates. My journey here is a long story but writing in this environment, loss of home and freedoms, with roomy’s, and a situation that at times can be depressing is challenging for writing.

After a year, I finally wrote a short story for Storytime Blog Hop–a magical romance meet cute. I’m getting there. It's been a process. I have a Star Wars coffee cup and a baby Grogru for ritual inspiration. I started out writing fan fiction.

I utilized from the list below: One, Two (Analysis each scene of my zero draft), Three (Ritual over Routine because of environment), Four (Loose goals because of distraction), Five is out my control, Six, Seven (when cant get past the blank page), Eight, Nine, and Ten (this one is harder than it sounds–remember “Failing is the FIRST STEP in success.) BONUS Coffee, Chocolate, and Cheese and sometimes Online Shopping.

The thing about procrastination is it feels powerful in the moment, but it only has as much control as you give it. Writing doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to exist. A messy draft is progress. A blank page is nothing. So, pick one strategy, try it today, and give yourself credit for showing up. Your story’s been waiting long enough—it’s time to meet it on the page.

Me & My Social Links

Reflections on Good Writing and Good Writers ~ The Importance of Setting in Fiction and Nonfiction

Many writers are inspired by characters and plot when they write fiction
or by a passion to inform, educate, or persuade when they write nonfiction.

As a writer I often find my way into a fiction or nonfiction piece through setting.

The first time I remember writing as a child was in third grade,
and my piece included a map of our village’s waterfront.
I don’t remember what I wrote, but I remember the map I drew with its marked

lighthouse, wharf, holes in the basaltic cliffs, and a creek spilling over a waterfall.

The Waterfall Along the Beach

Margaretsville, Nova Scotia, Canada

July 25, 2018

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue

All Rights Reserved

I do remember that my brother Roy and I spent many hours scouring
any hollows or “caves” in the basalt along the beach looking for pirates’ treasure.
We had heard of the infamous pirate Blackbeard 
and the Oak Island treasure on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, 
so why couldn’t there be pirates burying treasure on the Fundy Shore in Margaretsville?
I think my story was likely about pirates and treasure.

To this day my storytelling, whether fiction or nonfiction, is heavily influenced by setting.

Blackbeard the Pirate

Photo by Thomas Quine ~ Flickr ~ License

Setting is the time and place a story unfolds, and it is not merely background scenery.

It influences a character's choices and actions, shapes the atmosphere, supports the theme,

and often creates a symbolic framework, deepening meaning.

Throughout my life I have felt a deep connection to landscapes I am immersed in,

from the austere subarctic taiga, to the carved sandstones of the Colorado Plateau,

to the volcanic islands of French Polynesia.

I would argue that our personal settings impact our choices and actions in life,

and I often reflect this reality in my writing.

Fiction writers have been using setting in their writing throughout history.

One of the earliest known literary works, the Epic of Gilgamesh (circa 2100 BCE),

places its heroic characters in specific landscapes including

the ancient Sumerian city-state of Uruk 

located in the the Fertile Crescent of southern Mesopotamia 

and in a Cedar Wood forest likely in the Anti-Lebanon Mountains of Syria.

The epic poem explores the "themes of civilization, heroism,

and the search for immortality against the lens of its setting." Whitlark*

Tablet V of the Epic of Gilgamesh

Dr. Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin ~ Wikimedia ~ License

Setting is crucial as a framework in such literary classics as Homer's Odyssey,

Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Shakespeare's MacBeth, Defoe's Robinson Crusoe,

and Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath.

In novels like Brontë's Wuthering Heights, Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby,

Morrison's Beloved, Prolux's The Shipping News, and Weir's The Martian

the stories are inseparable from their settings,

and the settings are why the stories matter. 

Without a strong setting, the emotional and thematic weight of stories is diminished.

Source

In nonfiction setting is an important element when the location and time

are critical for context and for shaping the meaning of real life experiences.

This occurs especially in such nonfiction genres as

 memoir, travelogue, historical narratives, nature and environmental writing, 

journalism, science writing, and essays.

Setting is fundamental to memorable nonfiction like Halliburton's The Flying Carpet,

Frank's The Diary of Anne Frank, Abbey's Desert Solitaire,

Matthiessen's The Snow Leopard, and the Weinersmiths' A City on Mars.

Without the settings in these nonfiction stories, there would be no stories.

Delicate Arch

Source

In my fiction and nonfiction writing, setting has played an integral part,

especially in my northern memoir, my current WIP.

The rhythms of the rugged and remote Hudson Bay Lowlands

sculpt the lives of the people who live there,

and I am working hard to capture the impact of the landscape on its people.

Roy and I, No Longer Hunting for Pirate Treasure

Less than two years later, we had become voyagers.

Lansdowne House, Ontario, Canada 

Spring 1961

© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue  All Rights Reserved

 

For thousands of years, setting has been a powerful tool in a writer's tool box.

Setting grounds readers in a believable place and time.

It increases emotion and reveals truths about characters or real people

and their experiences,

how they live, struggle, and transform.

It gives stories their depth, resonance, impact, and longevity.

What are your thoughts on setting?

Is it an important element in your fiction or nonfiction?

I have shared memorable fiction and nonfiction examples

of stories featuring settings that I have loved.

Please add to my examples in the comments.

Happy creating!

Till next time ~ Fundy Blue

Notes:  

1.  For the record, Blackbeard likely never visited Nova Scotia, and the origin of the Oak Island treasure is uncertain.

2.  Source*:  The Gilgamesh Epic: Analysis of Setting by James Whitlark.  2022.  EBSCO Knowledge Advantage.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group – Anniversary Edition

The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time - and return comments. This group is all about connecting!

The awesome co-hosts for the September 3 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight!

September 3 question - What are your thoughts on using AI, such as GPChat, Raptor, and others with your writing? Would you use it for research, storybible, or creating outlines\beats?

This month marks the thirteenth anniversary of the IWSG website and fourteenth anniversary of the beginning of the IWSG with the monthly blog posting.

We would like to thank those of you who have been with us on this journey, some from the very beginning. If you are new to our site or the group, here are the accomplishments of the past fourteen years:

• A website with a huge database of information for writers: writing tips, querying, self-publishing, contests, marketing, and conferences.
• A monthly blog hop on the first Wednesday of every month.
• Anthology contests, producing seven IWSG anthologies.
• #IWSGPit, a Twitter pitch party that resulted in countless writers finding publishers.
• IWSG Facebook group with 5.1K members.
• IWSG X/Twitter with 10.9 members.
• IWSG Instagram with 1900 members.
• Our own monthly newsletter with tips and features.
• Two IWSG books–free writing guides–compiled from member contributions.
• IWSG swag – t-shirt, notebooks, mugs, and more, created to help with the funding of the domain name and email.
• Partnerships with Reedsy, Medium, Mary Kole, The Ninja Writer’s Club, Carolyn Johnson-Howard, and more.
• Hundreds of articles from industry experts.
• The honor of being a Writer’s Digest, The Write Life, and Best Writing Blogs award winner many years in a row.
• And over the years, dozens of admins who kept it all going by donating their time and efforts.

You can find links to everything listed above either in the navigation bar at the top or in the sidebar to the left.

While we have scaled back on some items (and will be scaling back in two areas this month) we are still dedicated to bringing you the best in the writing-editing-publishing-marketing world.

We hope you will continue on this journey with us.

What is your favorite aspect of the IWSG? What would you like to see more of from us?

Book Lover, Reviewer, Proofreader

PIXABAY 

Lloyd Russel has been a book lover since early childhood, but he didn't start his literary career until 2011 when he first posted on his blog--BOOKSAGE. Later, he started a book club at a local bookstore called  Recycle Bookstore, where authors were invited to meet readers and share their books. That membership is now at 181 avid readers and authors who--thanks to Covid and Zoom--are from around the U.S. and other countries.

 I asked Lloyd some specific questions about his approach to reviewing books:

Me: What is the best way to ask you for a review? Email, Instagram, FB etc.

Lloyd: Email is the best way to ask for a review.

Me: What criteria do you use to choose a book for review?

Lloyd: My biggest criterion for choosing a book to review is time! Between my professional reviewing and my proofreading, time can be tight.

Me: Do you give feedback to writers as a reviewer? e.g. helpful criticism or suggestions?

Lloyd: I tend not to give writing feedback to authors. I prefer to write my review and emphasize the positive aspects of the book. Since editing is not my strength, I want my review to reflect how it comes across to the readers.

Me: Do you ever choose to not review a book after reading it? If so, why?

Lloyd: The only time I won't write a review is if it's a book that I am not able to finish. If it's good enough to finish, I will definitely write a review, again emphasizing the positive aspects of the book.

Bad Movies Can Teach You a Lot About Good Writing

We want to learn from the best. But sometimes, we can learn from really bad writing. In particular, badly written movies!

RiffTrax and Mystery Science Theater 3000 have been riffing and making fun of bad movies for over thirty-five years now. As a big fan of both, I have watched almost four hundred episodes and soaked up the horrible writing. (And horrible acting, special effects, etc.)

So, here is a list of things I have learned, along with examples from the RiffTrax/MST3K collection.

Every scene should have purpose

Random scenes that don’t further the story or add to character development have no place in a story. We can’t throw in an event or character that serves no purpose or slows down the flow.

Examples:
Hellcats has a dancing scene that is not only bad, it adds nothing to story. (Except for the guys singing along with their own lyrics – “I am losing my dignity!”)
Lost Continent has a rock climbing scene that goes on and on and on.
Both scenes needed to go!

Plot needs to stay on track

Subplots can be woven into the main story but be sure they doesn’t stray so far from primary plot that readers forget or get confused. Keep focused on the path leading to the ending.

Example:
Birdemic has so many plots and things going on – driving scenes after driving scenes, stock options, dating this girl, the birdemic – which doesn’t even happen until halfway into the movie. This film is all over the map.
Make sure the main plot is the focus!

Edit for inconsistencies

Do characters change names or appearances? Do people appear when they should be somewhere else? Keep a detailed list of all characters and events to keep them straight.

Example:
In Space Mutiny, a woman dies and later appears in another scene.
Again, watch for those inconsistencies.

Eliminate factual errors

Details matter. Readers are savvy and will know when you haven’t done your research. Make sure to know the history, how things work, etc.

Examples:
In Bloodwaters of Dr. Z, the scientist develops a formula that can turn a person into a catfish-like creature. Yes, a catfish. Not possible! Even stretching the imagination.
In Werewolf, all it takes is a scratch to turn one into a werewolf. Granted, werewolves are made up, but pretty sure it takes a bite.

All actions need to make sense

Make sure when a character does something, he would really do that. Would a person in that position do that? And action scenes sometimes push reality, but it still has to come together and make sense logistically.

Example:
In Plan 9 From Outer Space, one of the deputies scratches his head with the barrel of his gun.
No law enforcement is that dumb!

Characters need to grow and change

Readers are invested in the main characters and they need to evolve over the course of the story. If they don’t change, if things just happen to them, it won’t matter how good the plot.

Example:
For this one, I going outside of my two sources. World War Z – Brad Pitt’s character is exactly the same from beginning to end. The zombies don’t change him one bit.
Characters must change, for better or worse!

Dialogue needs to be good and flow well

Reading dialogue out loud is a great way to catch clunky phrases or unnecessary repetition. Would a person really say that? If it sounds odd when you say it, chances are it is awkward.

Example:
In Cave Dwellers, most of the dialogue is awkward. From every character. The lines were obviously the first thing someone spouted off.
Polish that dialogue!

Understand your reader’s expectations

Every genre comes with standards. Elements readers expect. A story also has to unfold as it was initially described, not stray off into another area or genre altogether.

Example:
Gumby the Movie – the title alone should pull up visions of what to expect. Wrong! There is a really dark element to the film. Plus Gumby and Pokey were created by an alien. From there, it only gets weirder.
Cater to your audience – don’t alienate them.

Write what we love

Are you writing what you love or in a genre that you just know will make money? When the passion isn’t there, it will show on the pages.

Example:
Atlantic Rim was a blatant ripoff of Pacific Rim. And it shows – the movie is just awful. The writers just went for a cash grab.
Write for love not money!



There you have it! And if you don’t believe me, go ahead and watch those riffed movies. I dare you.

What have you learned from watching bad movies?