| p>Using cliches and stereotypes will undermine the | | | | as she did or could. Do the same with your |
| unique and personal feel of your memoir. They | | | | father--and everyone. |
| place people in categories. As short-hand ways of | | | | And that goes for "youth" and "love" and "family" |
| writing and speaking, they reflect ready-made | | | | and everything else that can get sentimental really |
| thoughts and adversely affect the ways we | | | | fast. |
| relate to our families and friends as unique | | | | 1) Beware of words and phrases that have the |
| individuals. | | | | ring of having been heard elsewhere. If you sense |
| "She was a mother-hen--you know how mothers | | | | that a phrase you use is not your own original |
| are!" | | | | pairing of two or more words and that you may |
| "My father had a heart of gold." | | | | have "borrowed" it, chances are you have a cliche |
| "Those were beautiful days when we were | | | | or a stereotype dripping off the end of your |
| happy." | | | | pen--or popping up on the computer screen--to |
| These examples of cliches and stereotypes | | | | embarrass you later! |
| reflect ways of thinking that get in the way of | | | | 2) Create a language that is as fresh as you are. |
| seeing people as individuals and events as unique. | | | | The challenge of writing is to have your words |
| If you think of your mother in generic terms as | | | | reflect you and your story, not someone else's |
| "a mother," you will be weighed down with all the | | | | version of you and your story. By using cliches |
| sentimental good and bad that second-rate | | | | and stereotypes, you slip into someone else's |
| movies, novels and songs sell us. Instead, strive | | | | version and away from your truth. |
| to see her as a unique person, a woman who | | | | Good luck writing our memoir! |
| met the challenges of mothering as successfully | | | | |