MauiTime: Author Darien Gee Guides Aspiring Hawaii Memoir Writers With New Book
Nationally best-selling author Darien Gee believes that everyone has a story to tell. Now she’s helping aspiring writers get their words onto paper. In her new how-to book from Watermark Publishing, Writing the Hawaii Memoir: Advice and Exercises to Help You Tell Your Story, Gee shares the knowledge that she’s gained from her time as a writer and writing coach, with added input from 21 other Hawaii writers.
In her book, budding authors will find 25 helpful writing exercises along with valuable advice on many different aspects of writing which include organizing a memoir, overcoming writer’s block, dealing with issues of libel, “talking stink”, getting published and more.
In a June 19 Watermark press release, Robbie Dingeman, editor of Honolulu Magazine and co-author of Honolulu Homicide: Murder and Mayhem in Paradise, said that Gee’s guide offers “practical tips and tools to take a wannabe author from, ‘You ought to write a book about that’ to getting words down on paper to share with family, friends and generations to come.”
Writing the Hawaii Memoir is a companion volume to the self-publishing services extended by Watermark through its Legacy Isle Publishing imprint, focused on sharing Hawaii’s stories specifically thought memoirs and corporate biographies. Visit Legacy Isle Publishing online for worksheets and excerpts from the book. Gee will regularly share more helpful tips and new writing exercises on the Legacy Isle Publishing blog.
If you’re interested in a more hands-on approach, Gee will also be holding several workshops this summer and fall. In the spirit of her new book, these workshops will help aspiring memoir-writers through their journey of writing a manuscript, from beginning to end. A copy of Writing the Hawaii Memoir is included in the workshop fee.
A complete list of the workshops that are being offered is as follows:
Telling Your Story: An Introduction to Memoir
Thursday, July 10, 10am-11am or
Monday, July 14, 6pm-7pm
Free. Located at Tutu’s House (64-1032 Mamalahoa Hwy., Waimea)
To register contact Lorraine Urbic at 808-885-6777
Ideal for those unsure about committing to the longer two-day or five-week classes.
Writing the Memoir Five-Week Workshop
Tuesdays, July 22-August 19, 6pm-8pm
Waimea Community Education (65-1184 Mamalahoa Hwy., Waimea)
Workshop fee: $225 ($195 for the early bird by June 30)
To register contact Matilda Tompson at 808-885-1530
Writing the Hawaii Memoir Weekend Two-Day Intensive Workshop
Saturday & Sunday, August 30-31, 9pm-4pm
Historic Spencer House (65-1158 Mamalahoa Hwy., Waimea)
Workshop fee: $250
To register contact Megan King at 808-896-3584
Writing the Memoir Five-Week Master Class
Tuesdays, September 9-October 7, 6pm-8pm
Waimea Community Education (65-1184 Mamalahoa Hwy., Waimea)
Workshop fee: $225 ($195 for the early bird by July 30)
To register contact Matilda Tompson at 808-885-1530
Requirement: Must have taken a previous memoir course with Darien Gee or have published a memoir. This class is for authors wanting to go to the next level with their
work.
Writing the Hawaii Memoir: Advice and Exercises to Help You Tell Your Story is for sale at bookstores, other retail outlets and online booksellers including the publisher itself, for $14.95. This title is also available for e-reader and tablet devices. For more information, contact Watermark Publishing at 808-587-7766 or sales@bookshawaii.net.
– Ashley Probst (@ashprobsticle)
Photo courtesy of Watermark Publishing PR
