Comments on The Writer Today: GUEST POST: WRITING MEANINGFUL PERSONAL ESSAYS

Sarah, you bring up one of the things I regret in ...

2009-10-14T20:46:03.972-04:00

Sarah, you bring up one of the things I regret in my writing life; I never kept a journal. Thankfully write and much as I talk, so I did gain the perspective of "my voice." Thankx for a great post.

A great big thank you to Sara, Adventures In The W...

2009-09-28T20:27:50.102-04:00

A great big thank you to Sara, Adventures In The Writing Life, for being my Guest Blogger. This post is most informative and it has definitely given me a new perspective on writing personal essays.

@Denise Thank you for your added insight, it is ve...

2009-09-28T20:17:11.457-04:00

@Denise
Thank you for your added insight, it is very true. Since this type of essay comes from within you, it is a great way to have your writing voice heard.

@Warren I cannot wait to read your new book. It is...

2009-09-28T20:15:11.100-04:00

@Warren
I cannot wait to read your new book. It is inspiring to know one's personal writing can be used to connect it to such things as proverbs. I was thinking of using my personal essays in conjuction with individual quotes; since I love the message these bring.

@Jennifer I keep several journals for different th...

2009-09-28T20:11:56.556-04:00

@Jennifer
I keep several journals for different things. I hope one day to incorporate them into a book.

You've shared some excellent thoughts on the p...

2009-09-28T13:59:22.355-04:00

You've shared some excellent thoughts on the personal essay genre. Having recently finished an M.A. in rhetoric and composition, much of my writing became what was necessary for "high-academia." Thus, I would add that the personal essay also helps to mitigate the oft-imposed writing standards found in graduate school. As a result, the personal essay helps the writer to find, hopefully, a more natural, conversational voice. Excellent post.

Ana, this was very good. My new book on Proverbs i...

2009-09-28T13:20:12.866-04:00

Ana, this was very good. My new book on Proverbs is largely built on personal essays and how they connect, interact with, or even conflict with individual proverbs. So, this post provided me some more ideas to reflect on for future writing (and, yes, I'm already working on the follow-up book). Thanks for this.

That's a good idea. You develop your voice and...

2009-09-28T08:59:36.856-04:00

That's a good idea. You develop your voice and you practice writing. I might have to start a journal. :)