Memoir or Novel?
Written on January 28, 2006 – 9:41 pm | by heffernan
We discussed the controversy around James Frey’s book in class last week. James Frey has recently admitted that several episodes in his memoir have been changed or exaggerated. New printings of his book will have an author’s note added, telling readers that the events in the book have been fictionalized.
What will your memoir be about? 
37 Responses to “Memoir or Novel?”
When is that one sheet that you gave to us monday due?
It will be finished in class today (Tuesday). What about your memoir topic? I’m curious!
Hi again! I was just looking around and I saw this part. I think the J. F. issue was really intresting, and it was pretty amazing how many people got really upset! Well, bye!
Melanie
I don’t think that it should have gotten into that big of a deal!! I mean it’s just a book. who really cares if it’s true or not. even if it is a memoir, maybe he just forgot some of the facts and he might have just wanted to beef it up a little bit.
———-mitch————
Hi
I also think that the J.F topic/issue was very interesting. I really want to read the book. So i put a hold on it at the library and there are 51 holds on it with me being the big number 51.
Allie
jeez thats a lot of books on hold!!!!!p.s. i saw u at the Y today!!!!lol!!!!
Did you hear that James Frey’s book won’t have the Oprah Book Club label on the cover anymore? I wonder if that will affect sales?
Ms.H
Even if it might not ave as good of a reputation I am going to try to read it.
Allie
Tell Ros (I’m not sure how to spell her nickname) that the bwwc was great i really enjoyed it!!!!!
Hi!
Yeah, I think the J.F. thing is really strange. I wonder if the whole “truth vs. lies” issue will make the book even more popular? That would be intresting!
Melanie
yup.
Mitch? “yup”? What on earth?
Melanie
lol! I dunno. What else am i going to say?
hey Mrs. H? my memoir is going to be about my trips to Gatlinburg TN. and i am going to Chicago toomorw morning(dangit! how do u spell it again?) so i wont have much time to write a story which is going to have to be about 2 and 1/2 pages long. and im still a little bit stuck. how would u recommend getting started and all that stuff?
Mitch, let’s remember…1 – 2 pages means….it can be about one page! Focus on a feeling you have when you’re down in TN. And then focus on what IMAGES come to mind when you have that feeling. You can do this my friend!
Chicago’s one of my top 5 favorite places. Please fill us in on what you do there.
Hi again. Mitch, okay, whatever. Hey, Ms. H. I finished my memoir (the moving memoir) and it’s a little more than 3 pages (typed, 1.5 spaced, 10 point font) and I am wondering how I can change it slightly. I like it, but I just want to be more descriptive in some areas. Should I just wait until Monday? -Thanks
Melanie
Hey Melanie, We’ll work on revising in class Monday or Tuesday. Good for you getting the draft done. I finished mine yesterday. We’re going to be reading to some first and second graders this week. Their teachers are really grateful that we’re helping out.
Wow! That will be fun! Can’t wait!
Melanie
Mrs. H? will we ever write ficrion stories or something like that? and if we will, when?
—mitch—
Now i am the 46th holder of the book A million LIttle Pieces.
Allie
P.S.- Reading the Everest books have made me want to read Into thin Air by the guy Jon (Krakour?????):smile:
Yes, we will write more fiction. We just wrote fiction stories second quarter. Remember the classic story, Viva Las Vegas, by M. Myers????
Hey Allie? What book is that? I know some people don’t like Gordon Korman’s writing, but I like it. I read the Everest series too, I know you know that Allie. Who likes Harry Potter?
Melanie
P.S. Has anyone ever heard of the music “group” Harry and the Potters? It is these two brothers who sing abot HP, pretty cool. Well, they do it mostly for charity and stuff, and I think its pretty neat!
Oh ya! now I remember, Mrs. H. And no. I have’nt heard of the group Harry and the Potters. Where did u hear of them?
My sisters best friend in MN found them on the WWW and they have a website and my sister’s best friend gave her a cd of some of their stuff, and yeah, Mitch.
Melanie
koooool.:smile:
Oooooooooooooooooooooooooookay
Melanie
hello everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!! how are you today? im not really into the harry potter books or movies. should i be??????~wendy
Is the revising memior paper due tomorrow?
Hi Wendy, I’m doing well today. It was fun to get started on the portfolio goals.
Hi Erdin, the revision paper is not due tomorrow. We’ll work on it in class tomorrow. We’re also going to read to another class in the morning. 1st graders and 2nd graders. Should be fun.
hello again i really cant tell if this is writing sooooo yah!!! someone inform me of what to do!
Hey!!! it worked so now i can talk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! fun stuff here…. i really need a good realistic fiction book….any thoughts??
Wendy: Hi. And yes, I think you should try the HP stuff (have you even read or seen 1 of them?) They are fantastic (my opinion). Hey Erdin, Ms. H, Lauren, and everyone. And now, goodbye.
Melanie
whats up people????????
OH MY GOSH!!! Michelle Kwan is out of the olympics!!! That stinks.
I kno!!! anyone else bin watching the olympics?
I’ve been watching part of it, like last night I watched part of mens speed skating, half pipe, and luge, pretty cool. I saw this news flash on my homepage about the Kwan issue, my sister (really nice) said that she had been having leg problems and that she thought it was really good that M.K. stopped when she was having trouble and that she didn’t cause ingeries for herself by going on. Good for you M.K.! We will miss her though with her skating.
Melanie
Ya, I love watching the olympics. It’s really funny, I have gone through and read all of the “conversations” and as you scroll down the page you see a new topic appear. It’s sort of like telephone where it always gets messed up (although the conversations dont get messed up) I LOVE this blog!!!!!
~Sarah
Ha, nice thoughts, Sarah.