ABSTRACT
Workshop twenty-one
Discusses the accusation of ‘self-indulgence’ often levelled at memoirists.
Notes the elements of self-indulgence in writing.
Offers clear guidance on ways to avoid self-indulgence, such as remembering that you are building a world for others, not emptying out rubbish inside you, and creating more context so that it is less self-focussed.
Looks at how to reduce the number of ‘I’ and ‘me’ statements and how to write inner life without being too inturned and abstract.
Readings (Joan Didion) and Exercises to explore the ideas in the chapter.
