A Story That Matters: A Gratifying Approach to Writing About Your Life

by Gina L. Carroll

Overview

No matter who you are, your story is a part of something big—the fabric of history and the human experience. Once written and shared, your story will change someone. And that someone is most likely you. A Story that Matters offers an accessible and simplified way to get your stories written. Each chapter is divided into three sections: the first discusses memoir writing in the context of themes—motherhood, childhood, relationships, professional life, and spiritual journey; the second provides basic writing and editing prescription, with a focus on common beginner mistakes and roadblocks; and the third provides a sample story related to the life theme discussed in the first section of the chapter. Chock full of writing and editing lessons that focus on how to get a first draft written and how to craft the draft into a compelling story, A Story That Matters explores our ability to help, heal, and connect to others through story, reminding us of the greater need for a broader array of authentic voices in the story-sharing universe.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781943006120
Publisher:	SparkPress
Publication date:	05/02/2017
Pages:	225
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Gina Carroll is an author, speaker, and editor who believes that everyone has a story that matters. Also the author of 24 Things You Can Do with Social Media to Help Get into College, she helps students use their social media to share their best stories and show their highest selves online; and as a partner at Inspired Wordsmith, a writing services business, Gina helps aspiring writers and business professionals get their life stories in print. A longtime freelancer and blogger, she has written thousands of articles on an exhaustive variety of subject matter, in addition to maintaining her own four blogs. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she currently lives with her husband and children in Houston, Texas.

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Why Your Stories Matter 5

Chapter 2 Story of a Girl, Story of a Boy: Writing About Your Childhood 19

Chapter 3 My Mother's Lessons: Writing About Mother 35

Chapter 4 When and Where Love Enters 51

Chapter 5 Your Testimony 71

Chapter 6 Your Professional Journey 91

Chapter 7 A Word About Preparation and Prompts 117

Appendix: Memoirs Worth a Read 137

Bibliography 151

Editorial Reviews

2017 USA Best Book Awards Finalist in Self-Help: Motivational

"Gina L. Carroll believes everyone has a story and a unique voice to tell it. She also thinks each account will impact others, which makes telling it almost a duty. This is especially true for women, people of color, and anyone struggling with a transformative experience. Carroll gently nudges, including practical strategies and personal examples, hopefully generating voices we’ve long needed to hear." —Nan Cuba, award-winning author fo Body and Bread
“A Story that Matters will have you beaming with inspiration and diving into your own first draft (finally). There’s nothing that changes the world like a great story, and A Story that Matters is the priceless blueprint to telling your own.” —Redbook, "20 Must-Read Books for Spring 2017"

From the Publisher