Esteemed author shares her wisdom
Mickey Pearlman visited the Writers House for a discussion and lecture on writing memoirs.
The Daily Pennsylvanian
October 04, 2001
Twenty aspiring writers from the Penn community crowded around a dining room table last night. The Kelly Writers House provided the setting for a conversation entitled, "How to Write Memoir, and a few words about How to Read It."
Mickey Pearlman, esteemed essayist, editor and lecturer led the discussion.
She began by discussing the basics -- mood, voice, place and audience -- quickly moving on to the essence of memoir.
"Memoir is a form whose time has come," she said. "Memoir is a slice of life."
Eventually she tackled tough questions like how to write unflattering stories about relatives.
"It's called the small penis rule," Pearlman explained. "No one will admit to being the character with the small penis."
Pearlman's books include What to Read, the Essential Guide for Reading Group Members and Other Book Lovers and Listen to Their Voices. The complete list of her published works fills several pages.
"No wonder I'm exhausted." she said after her introduction.
Pearlman's warmth, humor and enthusiasm captured the attention of every listener.
"She is just so inspiring," said Beverly Dale, the executive director for the University Christian Association. Dale is completing her own memoir.
Writers House Program Coordinator Thomas Devaney praised Pearlman for her integrity and passion.
"We want to cultivate that," Devaney said, adding that employees at the Writers House hoped students would "get a sense of someone who's doing it for real."
A diverse, multi-generational audience turned out.
Retired Asian and Middle Eastern Studies Professor Cecilia Segawa Seigle recently began writing her own memoir.
"When you get to be old like me, you think about writing a memoir," she said. Segawa added that she came in hopes of figuring out what to include in her book.
College freshman Becky Dalzell said she was looking for a refresher in writing fundamentals.
"I just need to be reminded because I never do it on my own," she said.
Whether participants sought personal motivation or a cherished opportunity to meet a famous author, they walked away from the table satisfied.
Pearlman, who holds a doctorate degree in English and American Literature from the City University of New York, recently had one of her memoir essays published in the anthology, Father: Famous Writers Celebrate the Bond Between Father and Child.