Breathing lessons : first things first -- The power of "showing" : give your story the breath of life -- Lights, camera, action! zoom in on key events -- Writing at the gut level : let your feelings show -- Writing about people : breathe life into your "characters" -- Writing about places : put your life on the map -- Recreating your world : establish your "life context" -- Linking your life with history : where were you when? -- The Hitchcock factor : rivet readers with conflict and suspense -- What's essential and what's not? cut the clutter -- Beginning with a bang : write a "wow" beginning -- Jump-starting your imagination : story ideas for the stumped -- Breathing on your own : steady to "the end" -- Learn by doing exercises -- Sample sketch of a childhood home -- Sample sketch of a neighborhood.
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