Where One Hears the Rain: Finding Your Voice and Crafting Your Story, from Inspiration to Publication

by Chris Epting, John Oates (foreword)

Where One Hears the Rain is a comprehensive, entertaining, and informative guide that explores the art of memoir writing and provides aspiring authors with the tools and inspiration to craft their own compelling personal narratives.

Drawing on his journey as an author, collaborative writer, and decade-long tenure as a memoir writing workshop instructor, Chris Epting offers invaluable insights and practical advice to guide writers to their unique voice and shape their personal stories. This book delves into the essential aspects of memoir writing, from uncovering inspiration to developing compelling narratives to organizing and structuring the autobiographical narrative for maximum emotional impact.

What sets Where One Hears the Rain apart is Epting’s incorporation of lessons learned from his mentor, the legendary author John Cheever. Epting weaves Cheever’s teachings seamlessly into the fabric of the book, enriching readers’ understanding of the craft and exposing them to the wisdom passed down from one literary generation to another.

This book is a treasure trove of knowledge for aspiring memoirists, covering every aspect of the writing and publishing process, including the intricacies of the publishing industry. Epting’s exhaustive approach ensures that readers are equipped with the tools and know-how to navigate the path to publication successfully. Moreover, the inclusion of personal anecdotes from Epting’s own writing experiences adds depth and authenticity, making the book both engaging and instructional.

Where One Hears the Finding Your Voice and Crafting Your Story, from Inspiration to Publication is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to embark on the memoir writing journey. Chris Epting’s expertise, combined with his passion for storytelling, makes this book an invaluable companion that will inspire, educate, and empower writers as they strive to share their own unique narratives with the world.

270 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2024

About the author

A pop culture (and baseball) history aficionado, Chris has a lifelong penchant for documenting the exact sites where things both great and small occurred. As an author, Epting has found that unearthing and chronicling ‘hidden’ locations offers him a challenge. What began as an inquisitive hobby soon developed into the writing and photographing of 14 books based on his discoveries, including James Dean Died Here…The Locations of America’s Pop Culture Landmarks, Elvis Presley Passed Here, Even More Locations of America’s Pop Culture Landmarks, Images of America – the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Roadside Baseball, The Ruby Slippers, Madonna's Bra, and Einstein's Brain: The Locations of America's Pop Culture Artifacts and Led Zeppelin Crashed Here.

As an extension of his efforts to chronicle the unique, Epting joins Hampton Hotels for a fourth exciting year as national spokesperson and consultant for the Hidden Landmarks program in support of the brand’s national “Explore the Highway with Hampton Save-A-Landmark™” campaign (the program recently won the President’s award). He was also recently national spokesman for the launch of Microsoft Windows Live Local travel web site and is the current spokesman for EMusic.com, an online music download company.

Chris is a frequent featured guest on numerous radio and television programs such as National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered,” “The Savvy Traveler,” “Access Hollywood” and FOX TV’s the “Best Damn Sports Show Period,” plus international programs in Australia, Japan and the U.K.

He has contributed articles for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, Westways, Travel + Leisure and Preservation magazine, and was the Travel Editor for Chicken Soup for the Soul Magazine. He also writes and voices a series for Major League Baseball Radio, and writes a weekly column for the Huntington Beach Independent newspaper and a monthly feature in Orange Coast magazine. Chris hosts The Pop Culture Road Trip radio show on webtalkradio.net and his 14th book, “The Birthplace Book,” comes out in Spring ‘09.

Chris lives in Huntington Beach, CA with his wife and their two children.

Reviews

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one who has been struggling to write my own memoir, I found this memoir-writing guide to be incredibly helpful. The design makes for easy reading, and the tips--many gleaned from John Cheever, the author's teacher--encourage readers who are starting or stuck like me in memoir writing. Highly recommended!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Chris Epting in person, to which he helped us understand the importance of descriptive writing. During the workshop, he had us think of three words that describe a significant memory that shaped our life. In the book, he explains how each person's perspective is unique - even two people in the same place at the same time will write about the story differently. The unique details and things we pay close attention to and remember is based on our life experiences and what we care about. In the book, Chris writes about his childhood in upstate New York, and his sheer luck of living close to a famous author, whom ultimately becomes his mentor. In his book, he uses descriptive writing, which helps you understand his thoughts, feelings and perspective during the events described. Since reading this book, I now understand what goes into writing a memoir (either your own, or someone else's), and have learned to become a better writer.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and will definitely "dip" back in as I am in the process of writing my own memoir. Lots of tips and ideas and easy to access information.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.

[Karen Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I happened on this book in the library and have it out for several months. It's well written and super helpful.

All sorts of ideas, examples and really easy to envisage