Writing Practice Prescription

A recent Speakers’ Conference featured a keynote speech delivered by a motivational speaker who had just retired from the CEO position of a major, well-known airline. His presentation reflected his philosophy of life which matched the philosophy of his former airline. The color scheme used in his slides reflected the colors that identified that well-known airline. His speech featured words that captured the theme of aviation, the spirit of flying, and the mechanics of getting from here to there on an airplane. Brilliant. He was launching his new speaking platform from his recent CEO platform.

Last summer I met Allan J. Hamilton, MD, FACS (pictured to the right) at the San Francisco Writing for Change Conference. Allan’s workshop described his just-published book, The Scalpel and the Soul, Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural, and the Healing Power of Hope. The book, a medical memoir, makes for fascinating read and captures the storyteller voice of this gifted surgeon.

Like the recent airline CEO, Dr. Hamilton draws words from his profession to sprinkle throughout his work. In a story about a fortune teller who predicted he would become a famous physician, Dr. Halimton writes, “She gave me a secret dose of hope–a shot of mythical confidence.”

Try dropping a few words and phrases from your careet into your memoir writing. You and you readers might be very happy when you spice up your writing with this technique.