Memoir-Writing Workshops: Exerpts from Reviews

Memoirs of the Soul
A Writing Guide by Nan Phifer
Writer’s Digest Books • ISBN 1582970807

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The following excerpts are from reviews of Memoirs of the Soul:

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, January, 2002

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.
—Sue Bronson
Writers NW, Winter Vol. 16, No. 4

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
The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning
An Affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English
Volume 10, Winter 2004-2005

Memoirs of the Soul approaches the writing of a spiritual autobiography in an organic, non-linear 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, etc.), Memoirs encourages the writer to follow threads of desire, passion, grief, awe, love, and sorrow that make up the spiritual life.
—Sarah Stockton
Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction
June, 2004, Vol 10.2

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 of Hutton Publications, 02/27/02

“I have no inner life” – “Yes, you do,” Phifer says, and she’s got the idea-generating strategies and writing prompts to prove it.
—Nancy Haught,
The Oregonian, May 26, 2002

This useful jewel of a book will enhance both personal growth and writing skills.
—R. John Allcorn,
National Review Network, May/June 2002

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. —Anne B. Jones from USA

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.
—Nancy Gallagher
Tune In! September, 2003

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 by Nan Phifer 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, March/April 2002

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 . . . .
—Sybilla A. Cook,
The Senior Times, September, 2003

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, March, 2002

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.
—Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur, Editor,
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.
—Mary Gergen,
The Positive Aging Newsletter, March-April, 2007

Memoirs of the Soul: Writing Your Spiritual Autobiography 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
Books Along the Wildcat

Her 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,
SPRING TIME WRITERS - 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.
—Leslie Conger
The Flame, Vol. 2, No. 4
First Presbyterian Church

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