Memoir-Writing Workshops: Exerpts from Reviews

Memoirs of the Soul: A Writing Guide
by Nan Merrick Phifer

Published first by Writers Digest Books
Newly expanded, revised and republished by Ingot Press

Visit the ordering page for the book.

Praise for Memoirs of the Soul …
A Writing Guide by Nan Merrick Phifer

“Highlighting the differences between autobiographical writing and memoir writing, Phifer urges amateur writers to write of the “inner life,” or times of “joy or crisis or profound contentment.” She offers a structured, well-organized process for writers to follow, which includes specific exercises, inspiring quotations, and examples of student work from her memoir-writing workshops. . . . This how-to is highly recommended for all public libraries.”

—Library Journal

“Whether or not you are writing a memoir or fiction, the exercises in Memoirs of the Soul will challenge you to write with more depth, more sense of place, more feeling and will give your writing an emotional impact that it lacked before.”

—Writers NW

“Her carefully phrased prompts, instructions, and examples ask writers to begin at the surface of their existence and to burrow deeper and deeper into their hearts and minds. With each chapter, she challenges would-be memoirists to take another step inward, to inch closer to their own souls. In many ways, Phifer’s book is like a deep-sea diving expedition—or an archeological dig—where the depth of the self is revealed layer by layer, league by league, chapter by chapter.”

—Professor W. Keith Duffy
Assistant Professor of Humanities and Writing at Penn State Capital College

“Many emerging memoirists have trouble getting to the core of their stories. Memoirs of the Soul will be forever on my recommended lists for them and for more advanced writers who simply need to be inspired.”

—Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Speaker, actor, author, and writing consultant

“Memoirs of the Soul approaches the writing of a spiritual autobiography in an organic, nonlinear way. Rather than simply listing the external events that mark a life in chronological fashion (I was born, I went to school, I got married, went to work,), Memoirs encourages the writer to follow threads of desire, passion, grief, awe, love, and sorrow that make up the spiritual life.”

—Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction

“Ordinary people now write their autobiographies as a matter of course, whether for publication or for their families, and Nan Phifer has written a splendid guide. Anyone wishing to delve into spiritual, creative or transformational matters will do well to purchase her book.”

—Linda Hutton
Hutton Publications

“I have no inner life”—“Yes, you do,” Phifer says, and she’s got the idea-generating strategies and writing prompts to prove it.”

—The Oregonian

“This useful jewel of a book will enhance both personal growth and writing skills.”

—R. John Allcorn
National Review Network

“I was impressed with this book because it doesn’t just tell how to write a memoir. It helps its readers to explore themselves in such a way their writing gains more depth. It is full of exercises that can increase the vitality and impact of one’s personal writing, and can help one’s writing become more vivid and descriptive. Whether you are a new or an experienced writer, this book is a joy. It will leave you itching to write! ”

—Novice Alicia Kleiman, OSB
Shalom Prayer Center

“It is a how-to guide on writing that is also an escort for the great voyage of the soul. It reminds me of the examen process of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Simple, profound, and pathway to living a life of wholeness and balance.”

—Tune In!

“The heart of the book consists of twenty four short chapters, which provide step-by-step strategies to help you begin, persist, and complete the process of moving to the center of your “spiritual labyrinth” by undertaking the project of writing the memoir of your journey. . . . . Although I usually find “how to” books tedious at best, I found this book so animated and evocative, I am seriously thinking about embarking on the voyage.”

—G. Richard Wheatcroft
The Center for Progressive Christianity

“Memoirs of the Soul encourages you to write about the times of wonder in your life: your strength, creativity, resilience and moments of transformation. Doing so will allow you to breathe new life into personal memories, stimulate spiritual growth and develop profound connections to the special places and people that have touched your heart.”

—Family Chronicle

“Nan Phifer’s book has one major problem—the title. Though technically correct, it leads bookstores and libraries to place her book in their spiritual or inspirational sections. Once you open the covers of this book, you’ll realize it is a book for writers—all writers.”

—The Senior Times

“Excellent guide if you have a personal story to tell. Author leads you through your life to discover aspects of experiences you have forgotten. Offers instruction, examples, writing exercises. Helpful also if you write other people’s life stories.”

—Freelance Writer’s Report

“Memoirs of the Soul offers inspiration for self-reflection, whether one currently has the time to write or not. Phifer also offers suggestions on how this book can be used by one person, partners in writing, or in a group workshop setting.”

—Spiritual Woman Newsletter

“In Phifer's book, the promise is that one will discover the most important goals of one's life, one's strengths and commitment to reach these goals, and a new sense of integration. According to Phifer, writing about one's spiritual life is a great adventure, one that facilitates open communication and an unsurpassed intimacy.”

—The Positive Aging Newsletter

“Memoirs of the Soul by Nan Phifer is a must read for soul-searching through writing. As a librarian of twenty-five plus years, I perused, read, and reviewed hundreds of books on writing. Coming upon Nan’s book I was thrilled because it stood out. ”

—Leonard B. Felkey
Librarian and author

“[The] chapters, each with several writing prompts, encourage you to gradually go deeper into your psyche. The end result is a picture of not only the person you were, but also the person you have become.”

—Judith Helburn
Story Circle Network

“The lessons are often deep, and you may find out a lot more about yourself than what you set out to do.”

—Kathleen Spring
Director, Writing Retreats for the Mind & Spirit

“How to write our stories from the depths of the soul is the subject of this book. The book works like a guide, systematically and logically presenting the steps of organizing one’s thoughts and setting them to paper.”

—The Flame

“Nan Phifer, a gifted writer and teacher, provides a myriad of well-organized progressive steps and visual tools . . . Memoirs of the Soul is a must for those wishing to see and appreciate their unique and divine contribution. ”

—Sarah Miller
Unity of the Valley Bookstore
Eugene, Oregon