Posted by Kathleen Pooler/@kathypooler
“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” Anton Chekov
Sometimes, our greatest teachers are found on the pages of a book. That’s what happened to me when I read Cheryl Strayed’s memoir, Wild as it apparently has for many others.
A #1 New York Times bestseller since its 2012 release, it holds many memoir writing tips.
So, I set out to look at what Cheryl does to captivate my attention, keep me turning the pages and then leave me with the sense that I have not only accompanied her on her journey but I have experienced a connection to my own journey.
Wild is a story within a story of a twenty-six year old woman who decides to take a hike along the Pacific Crest trail in the wake of her mother’s sudden and untimely death from cancer, her failed attempts to bring her siblings together after her death and a divorce from a man she loves but does not feel capable of relating to in a mature, committed way. The fact that she is an inexperienced and ill-equipped hiker further adds to the drama and tension of the journey.
Strayed weaves in her inner and outer struggles seamlessly, tapping into universal themes throughout the story. I found myself grieving over the potential loss of my own mother; I could almost feel the pain in my feet as she recounted the blisters that develop from poorly-fitting hiking boots and I marveled at her ability to walk alone through snake and bear-infested trails. With raw honesty, she reflects on her own flaws and needs in a way that makes me root for her.
I was spellbound by this book.
Here’s are the lessons I take away from reading “Wild “:
The author:
- Transforms real-life events into a story that matters by tapping into universal issues: death of a parent, divorce, grief, regrets, hiking alone on a trail.
- Reflects upon the meaning of the experiences by weaving in the voice of innocence and the voice of experience. By sharing her inner thoughts about her losses, I feel her deep pain and understand why she took off by herself to try to sort it all out.
- Uses graphic sensory details to bring the reader into the story. Not only do I feel the blisters on my feet but I experience thirst when her water supply is dwindling and the water tank on the trail is dry. I nearly gasp out loud when her boot goes sailing into the precipice below. And,oh those rattlesnakes…
- Conveys the meaning of the story clearly through the theme of searching for self after devastating losses and regrets.
- Develops multidimensional, believable characters whom I can see and root for or disdain, like the two bow hunters she meets on the trail and has a “creepy” feeling about: “They both looked in their midthirties. One man was sandy-haired and wiry, though he had a little belly; the other was a redhead tall and meaty enough to be a linebacker. They both wore jeans with big buck knives hitched onto their belts and enormous backpacks that had bows and arrows slung across them.”
- Uses fiction techniques effectively. She writes in scenes using sensory detail, dialogue, conflict, tension, a defined plot that moves along at a steady pace.
- Crafts a beginning, middle and end. I see the reason for her hike, feel the rising action of hiking it alone with dangers everywhere from wild animals to temperature extremes, snow-covered mountains, questionable human predators and come full circle with her to the end of her hike where she sees her life with new eyes. Tranformation.
Speaking of craft, Cheryl has admitted taking a long time to write her memoir. She took the hike in 1995 and her memoir was released in 2012. When asked in an interview why it took her so long to write, she replied:
“For a number of reasons. It took me years of apprenticing myself to the craft before I could write a book. Once I did that, the story I most urgently had to tell was the one I told in my first book, Torch. I don’t write about something unless I feel a stirring inside of me to do so and it wasn’t until 2008 that I felt that in relation to my experience on the PCT. I think the years between my hike and writing about it made for a better book. I gained perspective that I wouldn’t have had if I’d written about it immediately.”
- Writes from a position of strength and perspective by allowing time and emotional distance to guide her story.
I have heard that a good memoir:
*invites the reader into a personal experience ,
*keeps him/her engaged throughout and
*provides a level of satisfaction at the end.
Isn’t that something we all want to do for ourselves and for our readers?
I am grateful to Cheryl for inviting me into her world and showing me how she faced and overcame her life challenges. Not only did I enjoy her story but I learned some important tips about memoir writing.
***
The National Association of Memoir Writers is co-sponsoring a workshop with Cheryl Strayed June 1, 2013 in Petaluma, CA. Click the link to sign up for the great opportunity to work with Cheryl.
Learn from the New York Times bestseller about how to write a successful memoir!
Workshop Schedule (subject to change):
8:30 Continental Breakfast
9:15 Welcome and opening remarks.
9:45 Introduction
10:00 Talk & First Writing Session
11:00 Sharing Q&A
12:30 Lunch
2:00 Craft Talk & Second Writing Session
3:30 Sharing and discussion
4:00 Reading 4:30 Q&A
5:00 Book Signing & Close
How about you? Have you read Wild? If so, what lessons did you take away?
Announcement: Congratulations, Debi Wandrey! Your name was selected in a random drawing of commenters to receive Barbara Techel’s memoir, Through Frankie’s Eyes: One Woman’s Journey to Authenicity and the Dog on Wheels Who Led the Way.
Next Week: Memoir Author Linda Kovic-Skow will discuss her memoir, French Illusions. Linda will give away a free copy of her memoir to a commenter whose name will be selected in a random drawing.
Gosh Kathy, how do you keep finding such interesting ways to highlight writers and the craft of writing. Wild sounds fabulous. I like how you took examples from Cheryl’s writing and turned them into tips for anyone writing memoir. Your blog has become a very valuable writer’s resource.
Aww, thanks , Pat. You’ll love “Wild.” And, by the way, you accomplished that same in your captivating memoir,Home Sweet Hardwood I’m so excited to feature you in a guest post on 4/18 🙂
Kathy,
Yes, I agree–I love how you analyzed “Wild” for us … Without giving too much away, that image of Strayed standing with her mother’s remains … well, it haunts me, and it shows just how deep a love goes, and how difficult it is to process grief. Strayed used such vivid details to *show* rather than tell.
Ohh! And the frogs … don’t get me started on the frogs:)
Laura
Thanks, Laura. Yes, those visuals are so powerful. For me, it was the rattlesnakes. Just the thought of running into one would keep me off the trail! Appreciate you stopping by and look forward to your guest post in May. 🙂
Great post Kathy! I read Wild months before I published my memoir. I recall that Wild was like no other book I read. Not only did I feel deeply engrossed in her journey, I was inspired to improve my writing. The author is an amazing writer and when I finished the book, her story had a profound affect on me.
Hi Andrea, I agree, Cheryl really shows us what captivating means. When you finish the last sentence and know you’ve been changed, you feel you’ve read a great story. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
I’m so out of it. I just heard of this book for the first time and was curious about it. Good review, Kathy. Thanks, now I’ll have to see if it can fit on my bookshelf. 🙂
Hi Joe, I’m so glad you’ll make room for Wild on your bookshelf. Cheryl has set the bar for all memoir writers with this one, using fiction techniques to shape her life experiences into a riveting story with a message. Thanks so much for stopping by!:-)
Kathy, I read Wild and very much enjoyed it. Many things stuck with me, such as the sense of terrifying vulnerability in the scene where she flees from that malicious fellow hiker, the guy who she can just sense is going to come back and rape her. But here’s what resonates now: her comment, “…It took me years of apprenticing myself to the craft before I could write a book.” That’s what happened to me, too, and I suspect you, as well. We want to know how to do it right before we put it out there.
Thanks for reminding me about what I loved about Wild. And you might check out her subsequent book, Dear Sugar. The intro alone, by Steve Almond, is worth the price of the book.
Hi Lynne, Yes, Cheryl accomplished it all, a great story and many valuable lessons, not the least of which is a commitment to “years of apprenticeship” before launching the book. I find encouragement in knowing the time spent on craft will pay off in the end. Our stories are worth the time it will take to “write them right.” You showed that so clearly in Dakota Blues Dakota Blues
I have to remind myself of this as I dig deeper into my own revisions. Both Dakota Blues and Wild accomplish what I hope to accomplish some day- having a reader want to read a second book by an author based upon the first book. Thanks so much for stopping by to share your perspective which I always appreciate. 🙂
Joe, the problem of shelf space can be solved either of two ways: Library book or ebooks. WILD is available in either form.
Like Lynn, I first encountered Cheryl as Dear Sugar and found her writing as addictive as the substance from which she drew her name. Her utter transparency drew me into both the column and WILD.
Cathy, thanks for another rockin’ post.
Thanks,Sharon. Cheryl’s transparency and willingness to be vulnerable are what pulled me into her story.It is in our humanness that we connect with one another.
P.S. You always have just the right quotation for each post. The current Chekov quote is especially poignant.
Thanks, Sharon. I love Chekhov’s quote, a perfect example of saying more with less.
Kathy, your posts keep going deeper, just like Cheryl Strayed herself. You inspire me both with your own ability to learn the craft by finding good mentors and with your online community building skills.
Having just finished revising my own manuscript for the 8th time, I tried hard to learn from all the wisdom above.
I agree with Sharon that your quotes are fantastic and so relevant to the subject of your posts.
Thanks, Shirley for your kind comments and ongoing support. And congratulations on your 8th revision. It gives me perspective as I work on my 3rd revision, knowing to expect several more before it will be “ready”. I’ve heard, it’s never really finished but at some point, it becomes “good enough” to send out into the world. Best wishes as you put the finishing touches on Blush. I’m so excited about its upcoming release. I appreciate you staying in touch.
Kathy, you are so adept at analysis. Cheryl is coming to speak in St. Louis this month and now I’m really excited to go see her and buy the book. Sometimes the best writing lessons are not in instruction books, but in reading a well-written book – especially when you’ve been told what to look for. Thanks for this article.
Thanks, Linda. How thrilling to have Cheryl come to St Louis. I totally agree, a well-written book provides our best writing lessons, especially when it feels like you are invited into another world to experience the story firsthand vs reading a book. I know you will enjoy Wild and I look forward to hearing about her visit. Thanks for stopping by!
Great post, Kathy.I started reading Wild, but didn’t get through very much before I had to return it to the library.
I really enjoyed the points you brought out by example. Thank you for sharing them.
I have to say I feel a sense of sadness when one book is catapulted to the top of the world while so many others get neglected or ignored altogether. It’s almost (and I emphasize almost) like saying one person’s life is way more important than everyone else’s. I know this isn’t Ms. Strayed’s fault. It’s the nature of the beast but it’s kind of sad that all worthy memoirs can’t be given the same due. Fortunately there are blogs like yours that work to bridge that gap and for that I salute you, dear friend.
I hope you had a wonderful Easter.
Hi Grace, Nice to hear from you. I hope you do get a chance to finish Wild. I do know what you mean about other memoirs that are deserving of wider acclaim but not achieving it. I am happy to feature so many talented writers on my blog. The way I see it, if we can identify what makes a a memoir stand out from the crowd and discern what the author has done to make that happen, we can all learn from it. Cheryl put years into learning her craft and had contributed to the Dear Sugar column on The Rumpus.net before she even launched Wild. Her success is hard-earned and well-deserved. Those of us who are not as visible have to work harder (and smarter) on our platform. I’m honored that you feel Memoir Writer’s Journeybridges this gap and am happy you stopped by to share your thoughts. I hope you had a wonderful Easter, too.
Hi Kathy. I, too, loved WILD and thought it was brilliant. The thing that struck me most was it seemed more of an odyssey dealing with conquering her own bad behavior and character flaws than overcoming her external trials and tribulations. During the course of her journey, more comes out about her loss, but those losses are well integrated into the larger story of mastering self. We all have flaws that get in our way, and there is not always a root cause. Nobody’s born golden.
I was also struck by a belief I’ve held for a very long time that goes to the laws of physics, particularly the one stating for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I’ve even asked mental health professionals if trauma can cause pain and bad behavior, can’t trauma of equal magnitude ease pain and bad behavior? The answer has always been yes, it can, but it’s unethical and immoral 🙂 Strayed put herself into circumstances of courage and threat of survival that were bigger than anything that had happened to her against her will. She taught herself to dig down and find what she needed for redemption, and there was no turning back. That showed good instincts on her part, and most likely the same instincts that told her to hold back and hone her craft before writing such an epic story of self-redemption.
Cyd, I agree that Cheryl’s inner journey is as compelling as her external journey along the trail. The key, which she nails, is weaving in the threads to shape a compelling story of transformation. I appreciate your thoughts about her memoir writing process, too- a daunting journey in itself. Thank you, as always, for your thought-provoking and insightful comments.
Kathy, I have heard and read a great deal about Cheryl’s book but have yet to read it. After reading your post, I think it has to move up on my “to be read” list. I’ve also missed two opportunities to hear Cheryl here in Portland due to family issues. AND when the conference in Petaluma comes around, we’re traveling and just getting home from our grandson’s graduation in TN. Guess it’s the luck of the Irish fighting against me here! Thanks for the extensive and thorough review of what you have seen working effectively in Cheryl’s writing. I’ve placed this post in Evernote to read again, and likely multiple times. 🙂
Hi Sherrey, I’m glad you enjoyed the post and I know you will enjoy Wild. Hopefully you’ll get to see Cheryl in person one of these days. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I appreciate how clearly you articulated the strengths of this book. I was completely drawn in by both the story itself and Strayed’s way of writing. I was also impressed by her honesty. She was willing to reveal less flattering aspects of herself, which is difficult to do.
Dear Laura, Welcome! It’s so nice to “meet” you.I appreciate your comments and agree with all your points about Cheryl’s writing and story. I just visited your site and viewed your trailer for your memoir, Reversible Skirt. It sounds very compelling and heartwrenching. Best wishes and I look forward to reading it. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again.
Kathy, thank you for introducing me to such fascinating new books! I haven’t read Wild yet, but it sounds very interesting, and I love how you’re able to take away memoir-writing tips from it.
I’m especially grateful to hear others take years to pen and complete their books. Yes, sometimes an author needs to let the story percolate before releasing it to the world!
As for rattlesnakes, well, she’s certainly braver than I’d be! I think holing up in a mountain cabin, or beside the beach, or at a writing retreat might serve me better, ha!
Hi Debbie, Thanks for your comments. I’m grateful too to hear how long it took Cheryl to hone her craft. Clearly, it was worth the time and effort she put into it. And, I’m with you on those rattlesnakes! I hope you do get a chance to read her memoir and see how she uses fiction techniques so effectively.
I’ve had Wild on my books to read pile in my bedroom for months. Now I have to read it. Thanks so much for sharing what you learned about memoir writing from reading it. As always your posts are very helpful. All best.
Thanks for stopping by, Madeline. Yes, you must read Wildto experience the adventure for yourself. It is not unlike your own grueling but uplifting healing journey that you captured so eloquently in Leaving the Hall Lights On I appreciate your comments, as always.
I have not read Wild, but it sounds fascinating. Kathy, you bring such integrity to your reading and networking, I can only imagine that your memoir is going to be a winner – I can’t wait to read it.
Wow, Belinda. That’s the ultimate compliment and very much appreciated. Thanks for your vote of confidence. It feels like a warm {{{hug}}} across cyberspace. Thank you. 🙂
Kathy,
You’re spot on here. “Wild,” is a fantastic book and one of my favorites. I think of it often as I write my own memoir, considering the way Strayed worked her magic on every page.
Joan
Hi Joan, I know what you mean about passages from Cheryl’s book staying with you. She definitely did ” work her magic on the page”. Thank you so much for stopping by. I appreciate your comments. Best wishes as you work on your memoir!
With all my study and blog-hopping the message keeps surfacing, “show, don’t tell.” The message resonates when I read something good or write something good; this is what actually makes for a good story.
This fact that it took so long for Cheryle Strayed to write her memoirs is proof of the point in contention that all writers must hone their craft if they ever wish to be successful.
The background on the author was very interesting also.
Thank you.
Hi Daron, You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by. I agree with your points and will also add that Cheryl both shows and tells very well in that she weaves in her thoughts and reflections to add depth to her narrative. When you feel, as I did, that you’ve been invited into the author’s world rather than that you are reading about it, then you have a good story. Lots of great memoir writing lessons in this book. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.