Ask the Author: Debra Gordon Zaslow
Answered Questions (6)
Debra Gordon Zaslow
After I brought my 103 year-old grandmother home to live and die with my family, I knew I had to write about it. I knew it was a "big story" in my life. The original idea to take her in and care for her came like wave of "yes" that was beyond reason. The idea to write about it was another big wave of "yes", but it took sixteen years to complete!
Debra Gordon Zaslow
Usually by things I see. Images will stick in my mind. I'll begin to free write with an image or phrase, and see what happens. Or, I'll think, "I haven't written blog post in awhile, I better sit down and just see what comes out. Usually it surprises me.
Debra Gordon Zaslow
Mostly I'm working on marketing the book, which keeps me on the road a bit,with less time for writing. I do write blog posts, and I'm working on some articles to submit to magazines.
Debra Gordon Zaslow
Sit down and write, and keep writing. Read books that you like and notice what you like a bout the writing. Sometimes it's helpful to take writing classes and workshops to inspire you. After awhile it's good to join writer's group if you're ready for feedback. I ended up going to an MFA in Writing program because I wanted discipline, deadlines, mentoring and feedback to improve my writing and finish my memoir, Bringing Bubbe Home.
Debra Gordon Zaslow
The best thing is working for yourself, and letting your imagination to go where it takes you. That can also be the worst thing, because you have to create your own structure around the writing process.
Debra Gordon Zaslow
I'm not sure I get writer's block, I just have resistance to writing. Especially writing about emotional topics like my family. This comes in the form of "I'm too busy, I don't feel like it, I'm not a good enough writer," etc. The best way for me to deal with it is to give myself regular times to show up to write and keep writing whether I think it's good or not, even if it's emotionally challenging. See my essay, "Maintaining emotional balance while searching for Emotional Truth" on my blog.
http://debrazaslow.com/maintaining-em...
http://debrazaslow.com/maintaining-em...
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