Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir

This book is awful...badly written, rambling, never getting to the point...vague techniques. I regret buying it and am trying to find out how to return it. If I could give zero stars, I would. I don't know how this author got published or teaches at Penn. Her boring stories about her students and career allow her to avoid any real discussion of writing techniques. A muddy mess of a book. If you seek clarity and techniques run away from this book. Don't waste your precious time or money.

An exceptional book on the soul of memoir. The author does an outstanding job at explaining the importance of writing the truth in memoir. Not just reciting the facts of the truth but recounting the truth in a way that resonates with a reader. Having read Elizabeth Andrew's phenomenal Writing the Sacred Journey, Mary Karr's exceptional The Art of Memoir, Tristine Rainer's helpful Your Life as Story, Brenda Peterson's excellent Your Life is a Book, Bill Roorbach's great Writing Life Stories, and Judith Barrington's useful Writing the Memoir, all good in their own ways, Kephart's book ranks in my top 3.Unlike the other books that focus on broad swathes of memoir writing Kephart digs deep into the writer's moral duty to be truthful even when it reflects poorly on the author. This is something all memoir writers would do well to heed. A memoir that fails to reveal the good, bad and the putrid, will fail a reader's sniff test. People want to read what REALLY happened not some half-hearted memory of the good parts.

I thought I reviewed this book far earlier but no, I didn't. All I want to say here is that I've recommended this book to at least five fellow writers who have been writing memoir and each one has found it to be wonderfully written and helpful.I purchased "Handling the Truth" because I write personal essays and admire Kephart's work and writing enormously. The surprise was that I found many nuggets within that also help me with my fiction writing. She asks the kinds of questions that prompt me to think more deeply about voice, empathy, and the elements that form any person, real or imagined.

I really loved this book. It doesn't read like a textbook - if you ever thought about writing a memoir this is the book for you. Reading this book has encouraged me to get out my pile of writings/ideas, etc. I felt like I was in Beth's class with every page I turned. Coincidentally, from reading her book I found we had a lot in common - my father worked for a refinery in Philadelphia - I have piles of ideas - half finished children's stories and human interest articles - we grew up in the same area - my love for sculpting and especially photography. If you have ever thought about writing a memoir, or anything worth writing - read this little book. It looks small, but as I learned from my sculpture teacher - "Less is More".

I read this book several times when writing my 2 memoirs, and have referred numerous author coaching clients to it. A gem!

This book is written so beautifully. It paints, the words dance in my brain, and I'm moved to write.If you like feeling, even if you don't like writing, this book is an incredible journey through your own mind.

I recently finished my first read of "Handling the Truth: On the Writing of Memoir." It changed my perspective of writing memoir in some key and critical areas—the primary importance of making truth preeminent. Carefully remembering dialogue without resorting to disproportionate embellishment. Thoughtful consideration of consequences, particularly of others (which i have formerly been careless) The appendix is exceptionally helpful. 5 stars.

A nice overview

This book is so beautifully written it makes you realise just how many 'how to write' books are not actually that well written at all. I drank in every word, and it inspired me to look at my own writing in a whole new light. A triumph.

Concise, well written and inspirational......

Although there were some gems -- ways to conjure memories and find your own truths, I was sometimes impatient with the airy writing and repetitiveness. These are not characteristics of superb writing.It was however, still worth the read for these insights. I would suggest it for those who have a firm knowledge of good writing techniques and who can see past its flaws. It might lead new writers astray if they use it as a manual.

I couldn't finish this. Sorry.

I was rather disappointed. I don't think it addressed the issues implied in the title.