

Giving Yourself Permission
Some memoir data can be volatile to the author, characters and situation making it hard to write. Releasing a manuscript to the public creates more tension. As time and space passes, start a new project. My Lake Superior Writers memoir facilitator, Mara Hart, gave the group sample books to read to improve our skill. One of them, Writing & Selling Your Memoir, by Paula Balzer, has a chapter titled, ‘Controversy: Navigating the Difficult Waters of Memoir Writing.’ Blazer quotes


Teens Dos and Don'ts
The following was in my original 1998 memoir manuscript. It and other items disappeared over time. Teenage grandchildren helped it surface. They each got a copy and a followup query. "I like it," said the 17-yr-old granddaughter. At a recent presentation I offered it to a group of seniors to pass on to their grands. When I learned extra copies were printed I queried some of the seniors. Both men and women sheepishly said, "It works for us, too." That surprised me. AUNT SARAH'


Authors' Night Photos
Aitkin Author's Night photos - The large meeting room filled with authors and journalists sharing witty words, savoring a light supper and enjoying robust sales. We premiered Lewann Sotnak's latest book 'To Madagascar and Back,' her parents history through letters. My cake is a Key Lime Torte and a two-layer version of one made in the Cookhouse on the Mall at the 2017 Folklife Festival. Top heavy, the cream slid off onto the serving tray. What was I thinking?


Strawberry Cake
Strawberry Cake 2 c. flour ½ c. butter
1½ c. sugar 1 c. milk
3 tsp baking powder 2 eggs
1 tsp salt (optional) Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 (8-inch) round pans. Have
ingredients at room temperature. Sift together flour, sugar, baking
powder, and salt. Add butter and milk to dry ingredients. Beat for 2 min.
Add