Currently writing on a book of poems with the working title "Curmudgeons and Other Saints." In it, I intend to honor several father and grandfather figures in my life, some of whom have passed on and others who are in their eighties or older.

It is hard to know how best to honor others in writing without seeming to exploit them or "mine their lives for details."

I need to reread John Gardner's books on morals and the novelist and look around for other books on this same topic. Books on writing memoir probably cover this topic--I just need to get after it. : )

While other writers may lay out general principles, though, I guess each writer must decide what approach to take and which details to use in her/his particular work.

Happy reading and writing to all! Keep warm.